What most people forget about 70s horror, is that it usually spent it's time building suspense and establishing characters before jumping into the horror. Well, writer/producer/director Elisabeth Fies remembers and has made a movie that captures the essence of these movies and brings something a little extra for good measure.

The Commune is the story of Jenny Cross, a young girl who's being forced to spend the summer with her father, a middle aged hippie who lives on a commune as the leader of a strange cult that worships female images. Jenny doesn't know her father, and is very uncomfortable around him, although she's not sure why. Her father's new wife, Rhea, is a devout follower and spends much of her time attempting to convert Jenny. On a trip to town, to get away from the weirdoes, Jenny meets Puck, a young man who she finds herself attracted to, much to the dismay of her father.

We begin to get the impression that Dad's interest in Jenny is something a bit more than familial and, as the movie moves on, the weird mix of religion, female worship and mind control really begins to creep the viewer out! The Commune is a 'slow burn' movie, don't expect a ton of jumps or frights or gore, but, when the movie is over, you'll find yourself as freaked out as you did by the end of Rosemary's Baby or movies from that era. The Commune is an interesting indictment of religion and how easily something that seems benign, even gentle, can turn evil and malevolent! The story is great, the acting is strong and Fies has put together an amazing movie. I'm giving The Commune three and a half out of four cigars, I felt that it moved a little too slowly in places, but other than that, Fies has built a wonderful tribute to movies like The Wicker Man and Rosemary's Baby! You can find out more for yourself by going to The Commune web page.