In a way, Jim Mickle’s new horror film “We Are What We Are” is a lot like Halloween.
Both are kind of scary. Both are kind of corny.
But let’s just hope that this Halloween doesn’t end as bad as “We Are What We Are.”
The movie, which is a remake of a 2010 Mexican film with the same name, follows the seemingly innocent Parker family as they cope with the sudden death of their matriarchal figure.
From the outside looking in, the Parkers are normal but as the audience gets a closer look into their lives, the family secrets start to pour out.
For starters, thanks to a weak economy and a fledgling trailer park business that is losing tenants, the Parkers are kind of broke. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
Empty pocketbooks aside, the Parker’s bigger problem probably stems from the teenage girl they have chained up in the family shed.
As the film continues, the audience finds out that the Parkers subscribe to a particular faith rooted in colonial times that actually encourages the whole chaining-a-girl-to-the-floor thing.
Once a year, the family partakes in a religious tradition that involves eating more exotic fare.
Even though the family has been abducting and killing young girls in their small town for close to two decades, no one in town suspects the Parkers of such things.
However when a strong storm brings in a flood of rains, skeletal remains wash up in the town’s streams and suspicion turns towards the Parkers.
“We Are What We Are” certainly has a great story; however, it’s the film’s execution (pun intended) that falls short. Mickle’s direction is a little lazy and assumes too much from the audience.
Further explanation into the family’s faith would be nice.
Ambyr Childers and Julia Garner portray the Parker sisters and the two young actresses do a creepy good job.
Childers has a fair amount of scenes that show off her talents.
Even with strong performances, something about “We Are What We Are” is just a little off.
If you’re looking for a good scare, look elsewhere.
And don’t say I didn’t warn you about the ending.
