One of the outstanding feature debuts from Sundance this year, Martha Marcy May Marlene not only heralds the arrival of a skilful, intelligent filmmaker in writer-director Sean Durkin, but also boasts a performance of conviction and great sensitivity from exciting new talent Elizabeth Olsen. First seen living in an isolated but seemingly idyllic commune in the Catskills, it's not long before Martha (Olsen) flees this extended family of sorts and takes refuge with her sister Lucy, their first contact in over two years. Lucy (Sarah Paulson), now living with her husband Ted (Hugh Dancy) in an impressive lakeside home, seems only too happy to rebuild relations with the evidently fragile Martha. But, as the days pass, Martha is troubled by recurring visions of the coercive nature of the cult and its charismatic but ruthless leader, and her paranoia and mental disarray makes her behaviour erratic, and undermines her ability to re-enter 'normal' life. A sense of unease and foreboding hangs in the air, as this beautifully composed and photographed film blurs the boundaries between past, present, memories and dreams so that, like Martha, we are not always sure what is real and what is imagined.

Sandra Hebron

Time Out critics' choice - read full review

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