Family: A Haunting Exploration of Childhood Trauma and Horror

Discover the chilling journey of a young girl grappling with her father’s illness in ‘Family,’ a haunting exploration of childhood trauma and horror. Dive into the depths of psychological turmoil as the film captures the emotional rollercoaster of its protagonist.

Family: A Haunting Exploration of Childhood Trauma and Horror

‘Family,’ the debut film by writer and director Benjamin Finkel, delves into the depths of childhood fear and trauma. Inspired by Finkel’s personal experience with his father’s battle with cancer, the movie takes viewers on a chilling journey through the mind of a young girl grappling with her father’s illness. While the film incorporates horror elements, it primarily focuses on psychological trauma rather than relying on jump scares. ‘Family’ successfully captures the emotional turmoil of its protagonist, although some genre touches may feel unnecessary.

( Credit to: Hollywoodreporter )

The story revolves around Johanna, an 11-year-old girl who feels isolated as her family relocates to seek better treatment for her father’s cancer. Finkel skillfully portrays Johanna’s perspective, as the film predominantly unfolds through her nightmares and imagination. She experiences terrifying visions, such as her mother wielding a knife, her dog disappearing, and her mouth bleeding from eating a jelly sandwich filled with glass shards.

Johanna clings to a small birdhouse, believing it can summon good spirits to save her father. However, as his condition worsens, she starts to believe that her actions have attracted evil instead. Amidst her father’s illness, Johanna fluctuates between blaming her parents, imagining they intend to harm her. The film creates a sense of timelessness, as Johanna uses a camcorder instead of a phone, making the setting feel surreal and detached from any specific era.

Performance and Direction

Ruth Wilson delivers a compelling performance as Johanna’s mother, Naomi, portraying her with a mix of harshness and tenderness. Naomi’s behavior is seen through Johanna’s lens, reflecting her daughter’s perception of her. Ben Chaplin captures the struggles of Johanna’s father, Harry, as he tries to maintain a semblance of normalcy despite his deteriorating health. Chaplin skillfully transitions between the loving father and the nightmarish figure from Johanna’s imagination, although these moments are portrayed more broadly.

Comparison to ‘Hereditary’

‘Finkel’s ‘Family’ shares similarities with Ari Aster’s ‘Hereditary,’ as both films employ horror as a metaphor for dysfunctional family dynamics. However, ‘Family’ makes it apparent early on that the terrifying apparitions and the perceived evil behavior of Johanna’s parents stem from her own mind. Consequently, the jump scares are less impactful than they could have been. Nonetheless, Finkel’s precise direction and the beautifully crafted horror scenes still manage to captivate the audience.

Visuals and Design

Elisha Christian’s cinematography effectively distinguishes between the clarity of real life and the darker tones of Johanna’s imagined scenes. Olivia Peebles’ production design contributes to the film’s unnerving atmosphere, seamlessly transforming a comfortable old house into an ominous setting. Even the props, such as the claustrophobic blue birdhouse, add to the unsettling ambiance. Finkel’s minimalist screenplay relies heavily on visual imagery, although it is worth noting that the child displaced from her home is reading ‘The Wizard of Oz’ and has named her dog Toto, adding a neat but somewhat contrived touch.

Conclusion

As ‘Family’ reaches its climax, Finkel introduces more extreme genre elements, including a skeletal and faceless creature haunting Johanna’s thoughts. While these additions reflect her heightened fear, they also risk diluting the raw and visceral pain she experiences. Ultimately, it becomes difficult to categorize ‘Family’ solely as a horror film. Instead, it serves as a deeply personal exploration of enduring trauma, drawing viewers into a world where fear and darkness permeate the bonds of family.