With a star-studded cast that includes Olivia Colman and Walton Goggins, Them That Follow examines an overtly religious, Pentecostal society that has cut itself off from the rest of the world.

Somewhere in the wilds of the Appalachian Mountains, snake-handler preacher Lemuel Childs leads a small sect of devout believers. Willing to risk their lives, the townsfolk regularly handle deadly rattle snakes as a way to test their soul’s purity in the eyes of God. When the preacher’s daughter (Australian actor and director Alice Englert, previously seen at MIFF in 2012’s Ginger & Rosa and 2017’s Top of the Lake: China Girl) finds herself hiding a secret that could tear the community apart, she has a choice to make: remain true to her faith, or to her heart.

The feature debut from writer/director duo Britt Poulton and Dan Madison Savage, Them That Follow is a slow-burning, deeply empathetic thriller, driven by outstanding performances – especially from Englert and Oscar-winner Colman.

“Poulton and Savage don’t force the audience to demonise their devotees. The movie respects their beliefs — or at least the sincerity of their beliefs ... the duo trusts in the goodness of people, even when they put themselves through insane tests. There’s rattlers in them hills. But there’s love too.” — Variety