We Are What We Are Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A widowed dad forces his daughters to continue their family’s cannibalistic traditions, but the girls would rather just order pizza.

🍿 We Are What We Are: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Death of Emma Parker

The film opens with a torrential downpour and Emma Parker, the family matriarch, collapsing and drowning after a shopping trip. Her sudden death throws the Parker family into turmoil, as she was the one responsible for preparing their annual “Lamb’s Day” feast. Her husband, Frank, is left to care for their three children, Iris, Rose, and Rory.

Family Traditions and Dark Secrets

Following Emma’s death, the responsibility for maintaining the Parker family’s traditions falls upon the eldest daughter, Iris. She and Rose discover a disturbing family history through their mother’s journal, which details the origins of their cannibalistic rituals, stemming from a desperate act of survival during a harsh winter in the 18th century. The family’s religious fervor is intertwined with their dark customs, as they believe their cannibalism is a necessary penance for salvation.

Unraveling the Truth

Meanwhile, a local doctor, Doc Barrow, investigates a bone fragment found in a creek, leading him to suspect foul play connected to the Parker family. Deputy Anders, intrigued by Iris, also begins to investigate, finding more evidence that implicates the Parkers in missing persons cases. Iris and Anders share a moment of connection, but their interaction is cut short by Frank, who is determined to protect his family’s secret at all costs.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Frank Parker (Bill Sage): The domineering patriarch who enforces the family’s cannibalistic traditions with religious fervor.
• Iris Parker (Ambyr Childers): The eldest daughter struggles with the responsibility of continuing her family’s disturbing customs after her mother’s death.
• Rose Parker (Julia Garner): The younger daughter questions the family’s traditions and seeks a way out of their gruesome lifestyle.
• Doc Barrow (Michael Parks): The local doctor investigates the Parker family after discovering evidence that connects them to missing persons cases.
• Deputy Anders (Wyatt Russell): A deputy investigates the disappearance connected to the Parker family, developing a crush on Iris in the process.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Iris Parker: “It must’ve been Daddy. He’s the only one allowed down there. Ever.” – Iris responds defensively when Marge mentions hearing a girl crying in the shed, guarding the family’s secret.
• Frank Parker: “We are what we are, and we have to honor that.” – Frank emphasizes the importance of maintaining their family traditions, despite the horrific nature of those traditions.
• Rose Parker: “I don’t want to do this anymore.” – Rose expresses her growing revulsion and desire to escape their family’s cannibalistic practices.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $2 million
• Domestic Gross: $81,381
• Worldwide Gross: $159,047

💥 We Are What We Are Reviews

Personal Review

I remember being captivated by We Are What We Are. The slow burn really got to me, and the ending, though shocking, felt earned. The performances were fantastic, especially the two leads. It definitely left me feeling disturbed, but in a way that made me think about family, tradition, and the lengths people go to for survival. It’s a movie that stuck with me long after I watched it. One of those that I really appreciate its uniqueness, even if it made me squirm!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of slow-burn horror movies”
  • “Viewers interested in films with strong themes of family and tradition”
  • “People who appreciate independent horror films with a focus on atmosphere and character development”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence”
  • “Cannibalism”
  • “Disturbing themes”
  • “Mature content”

Professional Reviews

• Collider.com: “We Are What We Are is a compelling examination of religious fundamentalism and familial duty, elevated by strong performances and a haunting atmosphere. It transcends simple horror, offering a thought-provoking experience that lingers long after the credits roll.
• KillerReviews: “This film takes us inside the home of the Parkers where we meet family patriarch Frank (Bill Sage), daughters Iris and Rose (Ambyr Childers and Julie Garner) and young son Rory (Jack Gore). From an outside view, the Parkers look like your average quiet family. But when a tragedy strikes the family, the two young daughters are thrust into role that they don’t exactly find themselves at comfort which leads to a fork their personal development between family and a societal right and wrong. At the center of their impasse is their father Frank who has continued the ancestral custom of cannibalism as part of the modern family tradition.

Audience Reactions

Viewers were impressed by the chilling atmosphere and strong performances, particularly from the lead actresses.: The movie’s slow-burn approach and thought-provoking themes resonated with many, making it more than just a horror film.

Overall Consensus: A disturbing and thought-provoking horror film with strong performances and a chilling atmosphere, though some found the slow pace and graphic content off-putting.

Awards

1. Toronto After Dark Film Festival (Best Horror Film)- 2013

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “We Are What We Are is a remake of the 2010 Mexican film ‘Somos lo que hay’. Director Jim Mickle initially hesitated to direct a remake but decided to take on the project after seeing how he could put his own spin on the story.”
• “The film draws inspiration from various sources, including the works of Michael Haneke, Japanese horror films, and the cult film ‘Martha Marcy May Marlene,’ influencing its tone and atmosphere.”
• “Filming took place in Margaretville, New York, utilizing the town and surrounding areas to create the isolated and rural setting crucial to the story.”

🖥️ How to Watch We Are What We Are?

As of October 2024, “We Are What We Are” is available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability and pricing.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed We Are What We Are, you might like these similar films:

• Ravenous (1999): Features cannibalism, survival, and historical elements with a dark, unsettling tone.
• The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974): Classic horror film about a family of cannibals, emphasizing rural terror and a gruesome atmosphere.
• The Woman (2011): Explores themes of isolation, family secrets, and the disturbing consequences of extreme lifestyles in a rural setting.
• Hereditary (2018): A modern horror film that focuses on family secrets and the psychological impact of horrific traditions, sharing a similar dark and disturbing tone.

🛒 We Are What We Are Related Products

• Cannibal Cookbook: Human Meat Recipes for the Living: A darkly humorous cookbook that offers a tongue-in-cheek exploration of cannibalistic cuisine, offering a satirical approach to human meat dishes with creative recipes that will spark imagination and intrigue.
• Funko Pop! Movies: Texas Chainsaw Massacre – Leatherface: Capture the eerie charm of the iconic Leatherface with this Funko Pop figure, featuring the menacing character from the Texas Chainsaw Massacre horror film.
• American Horror Story: Asylum: Delve into the darkest corners of the human psyche with American Horror Story: Asylum, a thrilling series exploring themes of mental illness, religious fanaticism, and the macabre.
• Leatherface Mask: Deluxe Leatherface Mask – High-quality mask from the classic horror movie, perfect for Halloween or horror movie fans.

🎧 Soundtrack

We Are What We Are features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “I’ll Pretend” – performed by Glen Morris

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Mark Kermode reviews We Are What We Are

Want to know what the critics thought? Mark Kermode gives a thorough review of ‘We Are What We Are’, and while I don’t always agree with him, he raises some really interesting points about the film’s themes!

✨ Rate