This is a fine, but flawed, film. If consider this a film "unlikable", which is not to say that it's a bad film at all. What I mean is that it is not a film that makes you feel good about humanity, or inspired, or offers false hope with a Hollywood ending. I often ask myself while reviewing "unlikable" films, Did the director accomplished what they set out to do? Were their efforts effective?
The story is about parents who completely and utterly indoctrinate their children. The "children"--actually young adults--in this film have no understanding of the world outside the walls of their parents' compound. They are socialized, but only within the confines of what their parents seem appropriate. Most of their indoctrination is by omission. The rest is lies.
The subject is an uncomfortable one, and the film made me squirm in my seat, wondering what appalling behavior would be displayed next. Most of the kids' actions are through ignorance of certain social mores. The incest is figurative. If they had the capacity to make adult decisions, they'd just be considered weird, or emotionally enmeshed. Their innocence has no bottom, however, so you're left wondering what boundary of normal behavior they'll cross next.
That was what made me feel discomfort in the pit of my stomach: dread and disgust and pity. I believe that's the effect the director sought, and that's why it's successful.
The story is about parents who completely and utterly indoctrinate their children. The "children"--actually young adults--in this film have no understanding of the world outside the walls of their parents' compound. They are socialized, but only within the confines of what their parents seem appropriate. Most of their indoctrination is by omission. The rest is lies.
The subject is an uncomfortable one, and the film made me squirm in my seat, wondering what appalling behavior would be displayed next. Most of the kids' actions are through ignorance of certain social mores. The incest is figurative. If they had the capacity to make adult decisions, they'd just be considered weird, or emotionally enmeshed. Their innocence has no bottom, however, so you're left wondering what boundary of normal behavior they'll cross next.
That was what made me feel discomfort in the pit of my stomach: dread and disgust and pity. I believe that's the effect the director sought, and that's why it's successful.