Film #160: WE ARE WHAT WE ARE

We Are What We Are
3.75 out of 5 stars
A highly original character study of a family who begins to fall apart when the patriarch suddenly dies. Mother is lost and still trying to maintain control. The eldest son is being looked toward to assume the role of leader even though he‘s unsure that he can do a good job. The other son wants the power and thinks he has the skills to do a good job, but is in reality too brash and overly prone to violence. And the sister… well, she just wants things to get back to what they were. The thing is… what makes this story different is that the family members are modern cannibals. For years, the father has led them through to world, procuring food, hiding the bodies, covering their tracks, but now he’s gone and their world is not as easy as it once seemed. As the boys stumble along trying to get the provisions they all need, the mother is crippled by her grief and only when things get dire does she rise up and lend a hand. Acting is solid and subtle. The direction is handled well. The story does move at a slow pace, but it’s never boring (especially once you figure out what their secret is). There are only a few scenes of bloodshed, but when they come, they are visceral and full of impact. Solid stuff as long as you’re ok with “quiet horror films” and you’re not looking for anything too overt.