I have to say the whole Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen phenomenon has largely passed me by.
Ok, I am aware that the twins have been on American telly since they were scarcely more than infants and have grown into fashion icons but I can't say I've seen much (if any) of their work.
Thus, it wasn't until after I had seen Martha Marcy May Marlene that I realised the connection between its star, Elizabeth Olsen and them (they are sisters).
However, I guess it explains why the publicity poster is trumpeting an unknown actress.
This is Elizabeth's feature film debut and her role is a far cry from her sisters' former Disney-esque image.
The younger Olsen plays a young woman, Martha, who, in the opening scenes, is breaking away from a cult with whom she has lived for two years.
She tries to build a new life with her sister (Sarah Paulson) and her husband (Hugh Dancy).
But what isn't initially clear is how psychologically damaged she is and how difficult the reintegration into normal life will be.
As it happens, she suffers flashbacks of life in the cult's commune and these become more and more intense as time goes on.
Olsen is terrific, managing to be haunted and yet angry and full of herself at the same time.
Both Paulson and Dancy are in good form as the couple's whose life has been invaded by this tortured soul.
Meanwhile, John Hawkes is sinister and insidious as the cult leader.
But Mrs W and I were agreed that Sean Durkin's film grabbed our attention quickly, kept it for about an hour but didn't manage to move on from there and so lost its grip
This is summed up with one of those make-your-own-mind-up endings.
Overall, though, it is an indie movie which is worth a look and certainly promises much for the big screen future of Elizabeth Olsen.
Laughs: none
Jumps: one
Vomit: none
Nudity: about six scenes but none were gratuitous.
Overall rating: 6/10
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