Final Rating: 2.5/5
Beware the law of unintended consequences… Folk has a long and storied history in the horror genre, and Mother of Flies, the latest from The Adams Family, delves headlong into that space. Directors John Adams, Zelda Adams and Toby Poser (Where The Devil Roams, Hellbender), all of whom star and receive writing credits as well, craft this macabre tale which seeks to question the line between life and death.
College student Mickey (Zelda Adams) learns that her cancer has returned and after receiving a terminal diagnosis, she turns to other avenues attempting to find a cure, by any means necessary. She heads out to the woods with her father Jake (John Adams) where they meet Solveig (Toby Poser), a witch who claims to have the ability to heal her.
Solveig welcomes them into her home, quite literally nestled among the trees, where they plan to stay for three days as Mickey undergoes ‘treatment’. We later learn that Solveig came to Mickey in a dream, and that she has complete trust in her despite a lack of any credible evidence.
As with others in the genre it contrasts the world of magic and mysticism with that of more conventional religion. Religious images of the cross are quickly covered in a less than subtle manner, and the word amen is shunned like the plague, as suffice to say her methods deviate from Christian norms. This is all old hat for those steeped in the genre. Jake plays the usual skeptic upon meeting Solveig and is there for moral support. Unfortunately he’s not given much else to do or evolve in any major way.
The theme (or certainly question posed), is one that we all may face at some juncture, in that what are we willing to do or accept where there is no other alternative? How far are we willing to go where there’s seemingly nothing to lose? Will we eschew our faith or strongly held beliefs in times of crisis? These questions are raised, and are relevant in terms of story but never given the depth they pose plot wise.
Of the many folk horror archetypes, including snakes, dead animal imagery, religious hypocrisy, and Solveig’s omnipresent flies, her manner of speaking is often in verse or a poetic tone. This certainly stands out from Jake and Mickey, as much in the manner of other horror films it delivers most of the information in the form of exposition and thus the dialogue doesn’t particularly pop. She is a necromancer, one who tricks death, and seeks to do so for Mickey.
There is a line when Mickey sees a butterfly, remarking how beautiful it is, then asks if it’s alive. Solveig replies that it’s not but ‘it’s just as beautiful in death.’ This sentiment seems to epitomize her character and stance on the matter. In her mind there is a fine line between the two and one doesn’t necessarily mean the other takes hold. Mickey seems at times at peace with her fate, at others determined to forge on, and we root for her given what she is put through, but again the lack of arc seems to hold things back as she is much the same character at the end as the beginning. There isn’t much to overcome, rather just endure this process.
The vast majority of the film takes place outside in the forest, and the sound design does a solid job of capturing the ambient sounds of nature, and immersing us in that world. The folk horror imagery throughout fits the setting, and while it leans heavily on the various tropes and conventions of the genre, it utilizes them in a generally effective manner for the story, though nothing truly stands out from similar genre fare.
Another way in which it may have been better served is to establish a stronger connection with Solveig’s past. We get flashbacks to reveal her story, but these are sparse moments and never really truly strike the chord to imbue her with as much empathy as it could have had we had her character more established beforehand.. Her arc, and its reasoning are straightforward, and ultimately tragic, but it doesn’t feel as earned as if we’d know more about the character.
Without getting into too much spoiler territory, Solveig has used her powers before and was ultimately punished for it, but the way it’s disseminated and her reasoning for those actions are not fleshed out significantly. It’d give the narrative more depth and ultimately have her suffering resonate more.
Thank you to Shudder and Brigade Marketing for the screener.
