ReelBob: ‘Them That Follow’ ★★★

By Bob Bloom

Faith, as the adage goes, can move mountains. But a blind fanatism can create heartbreak, tragedy and even death.

Faith is a belief structure that offers strength and comfort. Fanatism is a rigid dogma that shuns anything different from the prescribed norm.

And that is the crux of “Them That Follow,” an independent film set among a closed community of serpent handlers — a little-known sect of Pentecostals — deep in Appalachia.

These self-sufficient people, who shun the outside world, are led by Lemuel (Walton Goggins), their preacher who believes that an absolute and unquestioning faith in God is the true path to salvation.

But that truth can cost them a thumb, an arm and even a life.

Writer-directors Britt Poulton and Dan Madison Savage neither judge nor mock these people nor their religious tenets.

They tell their story in a matter-of-fact, low-key manner, allowing the cast to take center stage.

Near the beginning, we are introduced to Mara (Alice Englert), a conflicted young woman with a dark secret. She is Lemuel’s daughter and is torn between wholehearted devotion to her father and following her own voice.

Mara has a problem that she cannot share with anyone, especially Augie (Thomas Mann), the young man she loves. Because of his doubts, Augie has stopped attending the church.

“Them That Follow” is more character-driven than plot-heavy.

Lemuel knows nothing about Mara’s feelings for Augie and, along with the older women in the community, is pressuring her to marry Garret (Lewis Pullman), a God-fearing young man who loves Mara.

Mara acquiesces, even though she knows the decision is wrong for her.

Englert’s performance is very strong. Her eyes and movements display the battle within Mara. She wants to please her father — a soft-spoken but resolute man who ignites the passion of his flock with his fiery sermons — not from a place of fear but because of the depth of her love and respect.

“Them That Follow” is a quiet movie. More is left unspoken than verbalized. Yet, because of the dedicated performance by the cast — which also includes Academy Award-winner Olivia Colman and comedian-actor Jim Gaffigan — words are not really needed to convey the fervor and fidelity that bind these people.

And while the movie is very earnest, it cannot completely bring us into this isolated society. Offering more insight into some of the people and a deeper look into what shaped them would have made for a more overall picture.

Still, at a leisurely 98 minutes, “Them That Follow” makes enough of an impact to keep you involved.

The movie provides some tension and it may spark some philosophical discussions about how some people see God and choose to worship him.

I am a founding member of the Indiana Film Journalists Association. My reviews appear at ReelBob (reelbob.com) and Rottentomatoes (www.rottentomatoes.com). I also review Blu-rays and DVDs. I can be reached by email at bobbloomjc@gmail.com or on Twitter @ReelBobBloom. Links to my reviews can be found on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

THEM THAT FOLLOW
3 stars out of 4
(R), some disturbing images, language