In this limited-theatrical release film, up-and-comer Ellen Page (who’s best known as Kitty Pryde from X-Men: The Last Stand) is Sherry, an aimless, surly teenager who gets swept up into a cult known as SPARK (Street People Armed With Radical Knowledge). She travels through Europe with them in a supposed mission to save homeless and drug-addicted kids from the streets (while dumpster-diving for food) but becomes disillusioned when the charismatic leader, Harry (Eric Thal), turns out to be manipulative and oppressive and Sherry’s mother, Rose (Natasha Wightman), gets recruited into the group. Based on director Alison Murray’s real-life experiences, this cautionary tale about the power of cults is an intense 1½-hour experience with solid performances and atmosphere.

Shelf Talk: The gritty and frightening subject matter makes Mouth to Mouth a hard sell, especially since it had only a limited, low-key theatrical release and minimal exposure at a host of lesser film festivals. And only budding choreographers (like Murray herself) will enjoy the interpretive dance numbers that continually interrupt the narrative flow.