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Mystery thriller

Initiation (2021): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Initiation (2021) movie poster

Initiation is a 2021 mystery thriller directed by John Berardo, starring Isabella Gomez as Kylie Martinez, Gattlin Griffith and James Berardo. It runs 1 hour 36 minutes and earned $290,310 worldwide. Critics gave it 55% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 5.0/10.

IMDb rating
5.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes
55%
worldwide gross
$290.3K
Echo Score
47
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Initiation (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 36m (96 min)
Director
John Berardo
Genres
Mystery , Thriller , Horror , Crime
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Initiation About?

The premise of Initiation without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

During university pledge week, the joyous atmosphere turns to terror after a popular athlete is murdered. Cryptic social media clues begin to surface, revealing a network of hidden campus secrets. As students and law enforcement race to find answers, a recurring symbol, a single exclamation mark, suggests a sinister presence. The investigation uncovers a disturbing connection between the victim and the escalating events, forcing everyone to confront the dark underbelly of the university.

Initiation Themes & Keywords

· 34 tags
  • whodunit
  • one word title
  • university
  • university campus
  • university student
  • social media
  • violence
  • remake
  • exclamation mark
  • sexy woman
  • athlete
  • blood
+22 more
  • slasher
  • murder spree
  • chase
  • sociopath
  • psychopath
  • danger
  • surrealism
  • masturbation
  • male masturbation
  • serial killer
  • murder
  • assassination
  • male rear nudity
  • co ed
  • psychopathic killer
  • slasher killer
  • masked killer
  • multiple murders
  • serial murder
  • male nudity
  • independent film
  • title spoken by character
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Cast & crew

Initiation Cast & Characters

Isabella Gomez leads the cast as Kylie Martinez, with Gattlin Griffith as Beau Vaughn and James Berardo as Dylan Davenport. Directed by John Berardo; 18 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Initiation

· 14 more
Ratings

Initiation Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Initiation 55% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 5.0/10. Our Echo Score gives it 47/100, strongest in character & emotion (55) and weakest in story & flow (40).

47 /100

Initiation Echo Score Breakdown

Initiation delivers a mixed impression, with its thematic ambition offset by uneven execution. Critics acknowledge the film's attempt to address contemporary issues and commend the lead performance, yet they criticize its meandering plot and inconsistent direction. User feedback echoes this split, praising moments of tension while lamenting pacing problems and limited character development. Consequently, the film sits in the lower‑mid range, offering occasional sparks but lacking the cohesion needed for broader appeal.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 45

    In terms of art and craft, the film shows moments of technical competence but falls short of cohesion. Critics note decent cinematography yet describe the direction as meandering, and viewers highlight a sluggish first act that hampers visual rhythm. Positive remarks focus on occasional effective components, but the overall sense is that visual and editorial choices do not consistently support the narrative. The artistic execution therefore remains modest.

  • Character & Emotion 55

    When examining character and emotion, performances receive a blend of praise and criticism. Reviewers applaud the lead actress for a nuanced portrayal and acknowledge the ensemble’s ability to convey modern social anxieties. However, several comments point to underdeveloped internal conflicts and limited depth for supporting characters. The mixed feedback results in a moderately positive assessment, reflecting competent acting that is occasionally restrained by script limitations.

  • Story & Flow 40

    Story and flow emerge as the film's weakest pillar, with critics and users alike citing pacing irregularities and a disjointed narrative. Early segments are described as slow and unengaging, while later twists are viewed as predictable or poorly integrated. Though some appreciate the thematic critique of digital culture, the overall structure fails to maintain tension or originality, positioning the story aspect in the lower range.

  • Sensory Experience 50

    Sensory experience receives a neutral appraisal, with limited commentary on sound design or visual style. Cinematography is deemed decent but not distinguished, and the soundtrack receives no notable mention. Users highlight the use of text message dialogue as a narrative device, adding a modern auditory layer. The absence of strong sensory highlights leads to an average rating, reflecting a competent but unremarkable sensory execution.

  • Rewatch Factor 45

    Rewatch factor is modest, as the film offers occasional engaging moments yet suffers from uneven pacing and predictable plot turns. Critics suggest limited replay value due to a lack of sustained suspense, while some viewers note enough spark to warrant a second viewing for its thematic commentary. The overall sentiment points to a conditional appeal, resulting in a lower‑mid rewatch rating.

Plot

Initiation Plot Summary

What happens in Initiation from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

During a lively homecoming party, sorority member Kylie, portrayed by Isabella Gomez, finds herself in a precarious situation when she is discovered unconscious and isolated in a room with three members of Sigma Nu Pi: Beau, played by [Gattlin Griffith](/actor/gattlin-gr Griffith), Dylan, portrayed by James Berardo, and Wes, acted by Froy Gutierrez. The following day, the fallout from this incident takes a harsh turn, as Kylie becomes the target of cruel and relentless mockery on social media. Distressed by the backlash, she seeks solace from her fellow sorority sister Shayleen, who subsequently approaches Ellery, another sister. Ellery, being Wes’s sibling, takes it upon herself to investigate the troubling circumstances surrounding her brother, particularly given his previous allegations of sexual assault.

Full summary

The whole story of Initiation, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Initiation Box Office

Initiation grossed $290,310 worldwide.

2021 box office

Worldwide gross

$290.3K

International
$290.3K
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Initiation?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What event leads to Kylie's distress in the movie?

Seen Initiation?

FAQ

Initiation FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Initiation, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Initiation?

Initiation runs 1 hour 36 minutes (96 minutes).

When was Initiation released?

Initiation was released on May 7, 2021.

Who directed Initiation?

Initiation was directed by John Berardo.

More films by John Berardo

Who is in the cast of Initiation?

Initiation stars Isabella Gomez as Kylie Martinez, Gattlin Griffith as Beau Vaughn and James Berardo as Dylan Davenport, among 18 credited actors.

How much did Initiation make at the box office?

Initiation grossed $290,310 worldwide.

How is Initiation rated?

Initiation has 5.0/10 on IMDb, 55% on Rotten Tomatoes and 2.4/5 on Movie Insider.

Does Initiation have a post-credit scene?

No. Initiation has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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