Indie cinema's current go-to darling Brit Marling (Another Earth, Sound Of My Voice) plays Sarah, a former FBI agent who now works for a private security firm that protect large conglomerates from the likes of eco-warriors and bad publicity. By order of her boss (Patricia Clarkson), Sarah tells her boyfriend (Josh Ritter) that she's going on a business trip to Dubai, but in fact she's remaining in America to infiltrate a new eco-terrorist group / cult known as The East. Once inside, she slowly gains the trust of its unofficial leader Benji (Alexander Skarsgard), second-in-command Izzy (Ellen Paige), the group's doctor Doc (Toby Kebbell), and before long she's beginning to question whether or not she's been fighting for the wrong side all along.
Addressing the downsides first, the major problem with The East is that it feels like the script is on train-tracks the entire time. Right from the word go you can already see the finish line, with every bump and twist coming exactly when and how you'd expect them to. The movie manages to maintain interest even in the wake of déjà vu and cliché, but it is a shame that there was so very little originality brought to the table.
On the other hand, you'll still be intrigued as to how the movie plays out thanks to a cast that are all excellent, with perhaps a small exception to Skarsgard. His cult leader seems oddly lacking in the kind of primordial charm that the role requires, the movie instead allowing his followers to fall in love with him seemingly based almost entirely on how handsome he is. There is an odd anything-goes, pansexual vibe to the group that is hinted at but never truly explored, injecting an undercurrent of sexuality that remains all foreplay and no climax.
Once again, Marling (who also co-wrote the script) is a revelation, turning in another subtly layered and riveting performance that is too low-key to attract award attention. But aside from the actual "attacks" that the group pull off, that is also perhaps the entire film's problem; subtly layered, riveting, but too low-key.