Initiation

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1:32

Initiation

R,

2021,

1h 37m,

Horror/

Mystery & Thriller/

Crime

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Watchlist

55%

31 Reviews

Tomatometer

79%

100+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

55%

Tomatometer

31 Reviews

79%

Popcornmeter

100+ Ratings

During a university's pledge week, the carefree partying turns deadly serious when a star athlete is found impaled in his dorm. The murder ignites a spree of sinister social-media messages, sweeping the students and police into a race against time to uncover the truth behind the school's dark secrets... and the horrifying meaning of a recurring symbol: a single exclamation mark.

Critics Consensus

Although Initiation struggles to balance its gorier goals against the story's social commentary, that added maturity makes this slasher a slight cut above.

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Cath Clarke

Guardian

May 18, 2021

2/5

The kills get boring very quickly; I've seen cheese-grater injuries that were more grisly.

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Christy Lemire

FilmWeek (LAist)

May 13, 2021

No horror movie ever gets the fraternity-sorority scene right, but this one is trying to be thoughtful, at least.

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Tim Cogshell

FilmWeek (LAist)

May 13, 2021

This is better than an average hack-and-slash, thinking about more than just blood and gore -- although there is plenty of blood and gore.

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Trevor Johnston

Radio Times

Jul 22, 2024

2/5

The climactic showdown and final twist are ably achieved, but by that time our interest has waned significantly.

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Dallas King

Flick Feast

Nov 12, 2022

2/5

It may pledge to be “Gen Z’s answer to Scream” but Initiation doesn’t quite make the grade.

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Joe Lipsett

Horror Queers Podcast

Mar 9, 2022

4/5

A thoughtful and welcome consideration of grief masquerading as a slasher (albeit still a good one), Initiation is a stunning showcase for co-writer and lead actress Lindsay LaVanchy.

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John Berardo

Director

Jon Huertas

Officer Rico Martinez

Isabella Gomez

Kylie

Lindsay LaVanchy

Ellery Scott

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Synopsis

During a university's pledge week, the carefree partying turns deadly serious when a star athlete is found impaled in his dorm. The murder ignites a spree of sinister social-media messages, sweeping the students and police into a race against time to uncover the truth behind the school's dark secrets... and the horrifying meaning of a recurring symbol: a single exclamation mark.

Director: John Berardo
Producer: Jon Huertas, Stephanie Stanziano, John Berardo, J.P. Castel, Lindsay LaVanchy, Brian Frager, Shivam Malhotra
Screenwriter: John Berardo, Brian Frager, Lindsay LaVanchy
Distributor: Saban Films
Production Co: Shatterproof Films
Rating: R
Genre: Horror, Mystery & Thriller, Crime
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 7, 2021, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): May 7, 2021
Runtime: 1h 37m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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