We Are What We Are – Film Review

Bill Sage gives a chilling, menacing performance as crazy, intimidating patriarch Frank Parker, whose daughters Iris and Rose (Ambyr Childers, Julia Garner) are forced to assume family responsibilities after a torrential rainstorm hits the area and tragedy strikes and they suddenly find themselves mourning the death of their mother/wife. Then the small-town local law, Sheriff Meeks (Nick Damici) and Deputy Anders (Wyatt Russell), begin to uncover clues that bring them closer to the Parker family secrets.

Director Jim Mickle’s film is an excellent remake of a foreign horror thriller, the 2010 Mexican movie Somos lo que hay, written and directed by Jorge Michel Grau. It’s spearheaded by top-class work among the performances, script (by director Mickle and actor Damici), cinematography and direction. Mickle ensures just the right kind of, and right amount of, nailbiting tension and eerie rural atmosphere. It’s very satisfying that it gets nice and twisty as it picks up pace and suspense moving towards its final goal of a big climax.

There are nice, quite chunky roles for undeservedly neglected Kelly McGillis (as neighbour Marge) and Michael Parks (as Doc Barrow), both of whom are first rate.  Childers and Garner are outstanding, and Jack Gore, who plays their little brother Rory, impresses too.

McGillis has two children by her second husband. Her third spouse is sales executive Melanie Leis, whom she met in 2000. On September 15 2010, McGillis and Leis had a civil union in Collingswood, New Jersey.

(C) Derek Winnert 2014 derekwinnert.com