A unique film crossing a few genres. Facinating plot that I could never guess what would happen next. Question is, who is really in a cult & who is really in control?

Films about cults have the potential to be endlessly fascinating because their mere existence tells us so much about human nature. We can form communities with the most disparate of individuals, we'll sacrifice anything for a sense of belonging, and we'll believe and do anything, no matter how evil, if we've been conditioned to obey a person or group we otherwise would have completely avoided. Faults focuses on the psychology and mental manipulation of a cult member, one who knows what they're doing is right, and it's the rest of the world that's wrong. Leland Orser plays the cult deprogrammer as a pathetic and weak individual who only has a single talent, and even that's doubtful. It's great watching him and Winstead play off each other, and you're constantly asking who's actually in control. Is the teacher taking charge, or is the student just making them think they are? It's the kind of film where not a lot really happens, but you still feel compelled to watch it. It's slow, steadily paced and dialogue driven, opting for deep psychological study rather than violent confrontations and life affirming platitudes. If you're interested in cults and how they shape the lives of their adherents, give Faults a watch and you might just learn something.

Ok but I expected a lot more. Didn't like the script at all.

OMG this movie is original as hell and has some really awesome metaphysical twists and turns with an awesome ending to boot.

Well, that was a wild watch. What starts off as a sort of slapstick down-on-his-luck comedy gets turned on its head into something far more twisted and interesting over time. I really appreciate the genre bending going on here even if the ending did escape me a bit. Ira will stick with me for a bit.

I loved it, never knew what was going to happen next, it was great

It is tough to describe what works about Faults in words since it defies almost all genre tropes. It is a horror movie without being scary and a comedy that isn't really funny. What it is for sure is an interesting watch that remains engaging practically the whole way through and every character is great.

To Stearns credit the darker comedy never sacrifices or infringes on some of the more serious aspects of this plot, and instead work quite well together, to deliver a pleasantly off balance narrative. Sticking the landing definitely got this at least an extra half star.

Spoilers: OK, so who 's deprogramming whom? Who's manipulating whom? I see Winstead's name and I go, that's me, and I watch, since before Fargo but surely after when she played so well the manipulative smart girl on the other side of the law. And she banged to the top here, too, as producer at age 36. Her IQ appears to be astronomical. Orser pops up everywhere since ER, one of those guys you scratch your head and say where have I seen him. A small-time grifter and scammer as much as an expert cult deprogrammer, the guy is pretty much a wreck, but when he explains how illegal kidnaping is a necessary part of the agenda to cult member Claire's parents and they buy in, you figure he is pretty high-powered and professional after all, with a coupla muscle guys to snatch her out of the supermarket parking lot. He doesn't sugar-coat it either, as he tells them it is more likely the deprogramming won't take and it is expensive, $20,000. So there he is trying to deprogram her in a motel room connected to another with her parents in it, as he springs them on her at the right time. Using psychological technique, he tries to probe her and find out where she's at. Then she starts being nice to him and mom and dad, and you start wondering why. Then before long, it becomes apparent that while he is manipulating her back into conventional society, she is working him to bring him to her and the cult side. She even screws him, maybe liking him, probably not. And the kicker reality is that he could hardly be unhappier on the "good" side with his partner in publishing his deprogramming books sending an enforcer to get money owed. So you start asking yourself maybe her cult, called Fault, may not be so bad compared to the unhappiness of Leland and the parents in conventional life. And just about then, the climax comes and she has manipulated him into thinking she and the cult are for real, as she has also her own parents, and the grinding reality arrives: Cults are pretty much the work of narcissistic power freaks, including her, the cult leader, it turns out, and not the work of God. Suffice it to say Orser and Winstead leave the motel, where four lie dead. This has satiric elements of dark humor, but the sledge hammer of what she is brings us back to reality. We don't know when the two of them leave together at the end, her with the upper hand, if she will love him or kill him, pretty much a changed man, thinking he has seen the light, which is her. But she ain't no light, and any sympathy for cults is dispelled. Very well acted, and well written and directed by Stearns, and edited and scored. Bravo!

"This so-called 'new religion' is nothing but a pack of weird rituals and chants designed to take away the money of fools. Now, let us say the Lord's prayer forty times, but first let's pass the collection plate."

This movie was so whack but the dialogue was very well done and I liked the character and plot development. Definitely a good cult movie!

I love movies that don't give you all the answers, movies that keep you wondering, movies that keep you invested and interested in knowing more. That feeling of anxiety mixed with oddity and fascination. This movie is this and more. With elements of a dark comedy, strong characterization and character development. Payoffs that are well constructed. I love movies about cults, it's fascinating to me what drives someone to them. Also and very important Mary Elizabeth is gorgeous!

Well written, excellent acting, interesting story that kept my attention throughout, with a great ending. I decided to check it out after I really enjoyed the Art of Self Defense. I'm somewhat shocked that this film doesn't have higher ratings.

There's a rather interesting little movie here. I don't think it's earth shattering, but it was interesting enough to watch once. Some people might think it is boring, but I sorta liked having the premise wind up as something different than you think earlier on. Great performances from a bunch of people that for all practical purposes I think are unknowns. Worth my time, but I don't see myself watching this again.

I didn't see it as a comedy. Subject matter and performances were very serious. It's a slightly disturbing film (but not in a way that makes you wish you hadn't seen it). The last act of the movie brings in some unexpected angles that slightly undercut some of the previous foundation. But overall I thought it was thought provoking, suspenseful, well acted, well written dialogue, with a serious message.

Every once in a while, a movie comes along that allows one to gauge societal values. Faults is one of these. You're meant to think it clever and insightful, but unless you find it affirms your worldview the reality doesn't quite match up. It's preaching to a choir that loves to hear the sound of its own pipes. The ending is telegraphed long in advance, although the exact way it all plays out might not be as readily visible. The acting is okay, but as the story unfolds, the audience is never given enough to convince them of the transformation of the main character. Symbolically, it is clear that we're meant to embrace the mantra that religion is for the weak. What I find most disturbing is the presentation of the view that victims (of cults or whatever) are victims because they either choose or deserve to be so. Also, the idea that if a woman drops her panties the man must necessarily lose his mind is insulting. The raw pessimism about morality and motive are an affront to human nature. Approved critics loved this film. Me? Not so much. In the postmodern era (can we please move on to whatever is next already?), a lot of bad writing gets lifted up as example because it is lazy, sloppy, and disrespects the viewer. Want to be thought clever as a storyteller? Start off telling one story, but finish telling another. Want to be thought a creator of dynamic characters? Start off with one character central to the story, then either throw that character or its backstory away and do something different.

This is a film that made a huge impression on me. One of my all time favourite movies. The screenplay and acting are top quality, and the subversive storyline left me stunned. Brilliant.

This was a really weird/different movie. Its marked as drama and thriller but I wouold say there are little thrills and more comedy. The movie is also pretty confusing at the end. Only after reading multiple articles about it do I understand the ending. And even then theres portions that are open to interpretation. It was watchable but not something I'd watch again.

Strengths: It's kind of hard to put this into one specific genre and I think that works for it. It has dramatic moments, there are parts I'd consider psychological horror, and there's a mystery involved. Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Claire) and Leland Orser (Ansel Roth) both give strong lead performances. Orser played a man who was broken and unsure of seemingly everything, even the stuff he was good at. Winstead made you uncertain about everything happening and was the key mystery in the story. Jon Gries (Terry) is hilarious in a small role, while Lance Reddick (Mick) was his usual brooding, intimidating self. The writing is mostly sharp and the story takes some turns you wouldn't expect, keeping you on your toes. Weaknesses: Though the film isn't very long, it certainly takes its time getting going. The first act seems to drag on as they set everything up. By the time Winstead's character gets introduced, it feels like you've been watching for far too long. The final act takes this on a whole different ride. I get that it works in terms of giving you a psychological thrill and twist, but it still comes across as weird and doesn't totally work. The twist does, but the way 10-15 minutes before the final five or so play out is the strange stuff. Though a lot of the plot is interesting, it doesn't feel like the kind of movie I'd be interested in watching again. Overall: With strong acting, an interesting premise, and a twist ending that ranks among the most interesting I'd seen in a while, there's stuff to like. However, the movie takes too long to get going and has far too many bizarre moments to fully click.

When I saw this labeled as comedy-drama, I kinda expected a comedy-drama. Well, it's not. Here on RT is a drama-mystery, closer. I would say kind a psychological-horror too. When films are impossible to labeled, I usually like them and this is no exception. It's smart and well done for it's budget. Slow construed maybe, but not unfinished. In two words, something different, and in movies (and not only) is one of my favorite accomplishment!