New To Blu: We Are What We Are

One of 2013's best horror films is released on blu ray today. Here's Michelle's horrific review....

"This water tastes gross,
but....I.....just....
 can't stop drinking it..."
We Are What We Are is an interesting and chilling entry into the horror genre. Horror has been saturated with cheesy, jump-scare type films as of late and it is refreshing to see a more subtle take on fear. The feeling of dread can be hard to convey and director Jim Mickle does an excellent job creating a menacing and foreboding atmosphere. Religion is a reoccurring theme throughout the movie and the story focuses on a close-knit family (with an overbearing patriarch) that harbors a macabre secret. It plays out like a mystery of sorts and Hitchcock was definitely an influencing factor.

The cinematography is especially beautiful and each shot is framed in an interesting way. I felt drawn into the world immediately and entranced by the mythology inherent in the plot. Some of the story is told with flashbacks and they are filmed in a dream-like way—it reminded me of Grimm’s Fairy Tales and it was a cool juxtaposition to the modern setting of the rest of the movie. Everything is revealed in a slow and methodical way but it never drags at any point. The movie is just shy of two hours long but they fit a whole lot of exposition in that running time and it’s well edited. A haunting violin score perfectly encapsulates the proceedings and the piano accompaniment is particularly memorable. 

"Your morning breath is terrible!"
This is a very dark film and some of the scenes could be hard to stomach for people with sensitive dispositions. It deals with a rather taboo topic and does not show religion in a favorable light which might offend some audiences. I was intrigued by the implications of the film and there is a lot symbolism, especially towards the latter half of the film. There is some heavy stuff going on in this movie and it’s up to the viewers to discover it for themselves. We Are What We Are is an underrated film that should not be missed by horror film enthusiasts.




- Review by Michelle Kisner