Though a bit predictable and slightly cliché, Jim Mickle's We Are What We Are is a well crafted film that should please the genre's more sophisticated fans.
Tackling the always interesting topics of cannibalism and family tradition, We Are What We Are focuses in on the kind and wholesome Parker family. Often keeping to themselves, the Parkers begin to see their family secret unravel after a torrential downpour floods their town and unearths some clues that begins to raise questions about the introverted clan.
Based on the popular 2010 Mexican film of the same name, director Jim Mickle crafts a unique story that carries an eerie sense of urgency from start to finish. Never entirely sure of the next move, I sat in discomfort as I often prepared for the extreme. And though the film did venture into the violent realm of typical horror, it relied heavily on the gross-out tactics that often come with a story about eating other humans.
The slow build up of events creates a rather slow opening and a somewhat antagonizing first half, but the film quickly picks up speed during the later scenes, giving the film a strong surge of energy at just the right time. I wouldn't say that it saves the picture entirely, but it is able to keep your attention for the balls-to-the-wall conclusion that is sure to have you glued to the television as you wonder how the family's new responsibilities will be handled.
The cleverness behind the characters allow for full development, which is rare given the film's core genre, and while the ending is a bit over-the-top, it somewhat works given the extreme circumstances that the story provides. I wouldn't harp on any of the core performances, though none are unusually strong either. Instead, everyone does their job solidly, leading to a solid psychological horror film that should entertain those who dare watch it.
