User reviews

I thoroughly enjoyed this ensemble piece, despite what has been previously posted the performances were good( newcomer included)as strange dysfunctional 'family'. Perry Benson( Dad) seems have relished in seedy elements of his character, and Dido (Mum)plays it with just enough detachment to make really creepy. As for character of "Birdy", she is just so evil & manipulative .. Oh she reminders of my older sister. Do think some of nuisances will only appreciated by a British audience(especially with regards a Christmas scene) or someone who has been stuck in an after it closes. Seek it out if you like your horror served with a wry smile.

As an obviously low-budget film I'd say this is a job well done within the limitations that such lack of finance offers. From the moment that Lena is taken back to Birdie's house the intensity is sustained, admittedly over the top at times but it held my attention. I don't feel I need to know why the dad is as he is, what motivates the mother or why the other two 'children' haven't tried to escape, as a claustrophobic, hellish situation the film does work. There are the inevitable predictabilities as this scenario is a variation on the theme of plenty of other films but without pointlessly harping on about comparisons I feel that Mum & Dad achieved as good a film as it could have been, an accomplishment which should lead to the writer/director being given a longer leash on his next venture. As a footnote, I'd say that Olga Fedori has enormous presence and I hope the quality of work comes her way to realise what, to me, seems to be great potential.

Mum & Dad (2008)

** (out of 4)

British horror film about a girl named Lena (Olga Fedori) who is kidnapped by her co-workers (Ainsley Howard, Toby Alexander) and brought back to their mom (Dido Miles) and dad (Perry Benson) who will allow her to live as long as she plays by their rules. What follows is a bunch of torture while Lena tries to get a plan for an escape. MUM & DAD is the latest in a very long line of torture horror films but this one here doesn't depend on a lot of graphic violence and gore. Instead, writer-director Steven Sheil tries to build up a bizarre and rather unique atmosphere that is full of weird characters and situations and for the most part he succeeds. While the film is far from perfect I think there are enough good moments to where fans of the genre should remain mildly entertained while those against these type of films will find enough to be offended by. I think the best thing about the film are the performances from the five leads, all who fit their roles extremely nicely. I was really impressed with Howard who plays the twisted sister Birdie. This character is such a jerk and sleaze bag that you can't help but feel as if Howard was a real person in a real documentary. I thought Fedori also did a nice job in the role of the main girl because she really made you feel for the character and want to see her survive. Both Benson and Miles are extremely creepy as the parents and especially Benson as the twist father with a few too many issues. I think the biggest problem with the movie is that the story itself really isn't anything original and along the way we're really not given any twists or turns. I think a little bit more originality would have helped matters but as it is, MUM & DAD is a twisted little movie that will rub some the wrong way but the targeted audience should be able to make it through.

So soon after the invigorating adrenaline rush of James Watkins' utterly fantastic Eden Lake last year, quick as a flash and bang on time, here arriveth the comedown.

Mum and Dad aspires to be Mike Leigh's Hostel, but it looks and feels like a bottom-rung Eastenders episode by way of Roland Joffe's Captivity, and is somehow at least five times as dumb and disposable as that sounds. In short, it amounts to eighty-odd minutes of aggrieved yelling braided into several totally asinine moments of bloody, lavatorial sleaze.

It isn't even momentarily frightening, suspenseful or inventive, and for a flick so proudly and loudly "inspired" by the murders of Fred and Rosemary West, the complete lack of taste, insight and tonal composure is unforgivable.

The story behind the film's funding and production is fascinating however, and well worth investigating online. The most revealing fact derived from the whole saga is that the director was forced to write and shoot almost half an hour's worth of extra material at the last minute because the film ran so short. The most depressing fact is that you'll have absolutely no idea which footage is which.

Bad acting, bad direction, bad plotting, bad effects, bad dialogue.....This whole sorry enterprise is marginally less worthwhile than ejaculating into a lacerated human organ.

And certainly less enjoyable.

The director and the stars of the movie jumped on stage after the screening at the Fright Fest. They got a big applause and it seems, that more people did like it, then not. Don't get me wrong, the director and his stars seem more than nice. If I was to rate them as persons, I wouldn't be so harsh, quite the opposite. But I'm rating the movie and not if the director is a nice man or something. In other words, this is not meant as a personal attack on him/them.

There is just that much "torture" that a movie can have. Talk about "overkill" (pun intended). Even the "smart" family setting doesn't help. Characters are not sympathetic (and I'm not only talking about the bad guys here, who are even portrayed as "funny", which even with a bit of a sadistic tendency is hard to see/swallow and/or laugh about/with them), which is always a bad sign for me. Again many did like the movie and the director pointed out, that he thinks the British audience might be a bit more open to the movie (because of the family thing, although in Greece we do have a tradition for that too and it didn't help the movie, in my eyes). The pacing doesn't help either, nor the script.

I saw a preview of Mum and Dad at this year's Frightfest in Leicester Square and what a treat it was. Whether a full uncut version will ever reach screens big or small I wouldn't like to say. This was an uncompromising, grim and dark piece of film-making which set itself apart from certain other films at the festival by doing what only the Brit's can do, which is carve a darkly comic streak throughout the film. Not the comic whimsy of Shaun of the Dead, but that most unsettling sort which finds you laughing with the anti-heroes and their macabre family set-up, questioning your own scruples. Considering the budget those involved have proved you don't need to hurl money at a project to make a truly disturbing and gripping film. Excellent sound design and direction give the film the sense of a much bigger budget project. I'm not one to give away too much in a review, I like to go in blind if at all possible so I won't spoil any of the grim details, however this film has some truly gruesome moments which add impact to the already ominous and unsettling context. All I will say is see for yourself, but maybe hold-fire on dinner 'til you get out of the theatre. An excellent feature, especially as a Directorial debut and considering the micro-budget (I believe it was made for £100,000) Impressive stuff, disturbing, funny and utterly disgusting.

I'm a big fan of horror films and but I have to say that quite often film makers are too easily tempted into throwing gratuitous sex in as a way of selling their films. To this extent I was quite impressed with the way this film suggested that this was just around the corner but(mostly) just referenced sex (apart from when you first meet 'Dad' - which is probably the most disgusting thing I've seen in a film for a long time) and instead stuck to gore as a way of shocking its audience. As a dark comedy, the elements were very subtle. I know a few comments have centred on the fact that it's not 'laugh out loud' and that's true, but the way it takes what are otherwise normal family interactions but completely twists them with this warped family works very well. To me, that's where the humour lies - sibling rivalry but arguing about theft and murder rather than who has the most chips. There's also some of the most imaginative use of human body parts as decorations that would put Leatherface and his family to shame. If you like horror films, I'd watch this. It's truly shocking but with a subtle humour - like the unnatural union of Fred & Rose West with the Royle Family.

What better way to start the new year than with a gritty British horror flick. New horror talent is rising everywhere and the Brits can't lag behind. Not that they can keep up with the best, but they manage to uphold a good standard of dirty and raw horror flicks. Enter Mum & Dad.

Horror films come in all different sizes and flavors. Gore, ghosts, werewolves, suspense, torture and whatnot. Sheil's Mum & Dad is a little different though. Rather than hit the audience with full-frontal ugliness it gambles on weirdness and plays the freak card. While some might call it another variation on the crazy family theme, it holds more in common with a film like Killers (or Real Killers, as it is also known) than it does with the Chainsaw Massacre or Rob Zombie flicks.

One thing about horror flicks is that you can often derive a lot from the title of the film. The cooler and tougher it sounds, the softer it usually is. And so you have to admit, Mum & Dad leaves a good solid base for some slick and freaky horror fun. Central to the film are both characters referenced in the title. Mum and dad might look like ordinary people from the outside, they certainly are a little different from your regular household setup.

The fun starts when one of their children drags in a Polish immigrant girl who gets "integrated" into the family. It quickly starts to dawn that mum and dad are not as ordinary as they seemed at first and off you go for a good 60 minutes of weirdness. Much like Calvaire, the film plays on equal levels of awkwardness, grit and humor which makes for a pretty compelling viewing. As much as you are repulsed, there's always some mad streak that sports a dark grin.

The film is obviously a low budget affair and even though Sheil does his best to conceal this fact, from time to time it does look its budget. Visually there are interesting shots and sequences but the overall effect remains pretty inconsistent, with some rather amateurish shots in between. Same goes for the soundtrack of the film. Some dark ambient background music and good use of sound effects, but it never really gels into an audiovisual trip.

Luckily mom and dad themselves make the film a pleasure to watch. Their appearance alone, especially dad's, gives the film a pretty twisted feel. Fat English accents and an overly greasy facade only add more flair to the family. Both daughter and son are nice additions too, adding their share of weirdness to the whole setup.

While the level of gore is not noteworthy the film is pretty damn filthy in its own right. The creepiness of the family creates a bigger punch for what is actually shown on screen. On the other hand, the film never loses its touch of humor, keeping it clear from the realm of films like Martyrs. Add some nicely built up tension near the end and what you have is a pretty neat little horror flick that is sure to entertain and repulse at the same time.

Mum & Dad is not as good as any of its influences as Sheil's style is a little less refined. Still, there is potential aplenty and if the idea of a mellowed down mix between Calvaire and Martyrs appeals to you this is definitely a film worth watching. 4.0*/5.0*

First time filmmaker Steven Sheil's debut horror flick Mum & Dad is already causing a stir, although I'm secretly guessing his Telegraph headlines of 'Ban this sick filth' and 'torture porn made with tax payers money' are welcomed and in some respects enjoyed. Who can remember any horror worth its weight that hasn't at some point caused some controversy, Clockwork Orange, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, The Exorcist, Driller killer to name but a few, you don't set out to make this kind of film to expand your Christmas card list. Mum & Dad centres on the two characters of the title and their adopted children they live and work at London's Heathrow airport making money by bumping of immigrants and the unmissed and raiding their luggage and the airports storage hangers. Their adopted daughter Birdie makes friends with Lena, a recently arrived Polish girl, and after establishing she wouldn't be missed lures her back to the family home. What follows is an uneasy, twisted story of the ultimate dysfunctional family. Yes there is torture and plenty of gore and there is even one scene that out grossed me and went one step further than even I had thought but that aside the real underbelly of the film is in its sheer creepiness, thanks partly to the acting of mum (Miles) and dad (Benson), the way that it gets right under your skin and stays there making it crawl. People will inevitably draw comparisons to Fred and Rosemary West but really that's just lazy journalism by critics who have no real grasp of the genre, you may as well compare 'Jungle Book' with 'Animal Farm' as they 'both contain non-humans'. Basically if you don't like horror then this will hold nothing for you but if you want to be unnerved by a couple of British cinemas best villains this side of soapland then go and see this film and make up your own mind, you still may not like it, but at least you gave it a go.

Cut-price horror with a sadistic streak. Being extreme in your imagery is the usual mode of operation for fledgling British directors these days, so its disheartening to find this is another bolt into that particular hole. How do I get myself known? Lets elevate a few easily raised eyebrows. Like other people on here I found that I had come across all this before and imagery and ideas were old and stale. Who exactly is it aimed for? An attempt to make a comment on our society? In my opinion, it was just tacky and tasteless. It depends I suppose, if you find cruelty hilarious? Regardless of that, a film also has to overcome its budget limitations, something the Brits don't seem able to achieve. How much the film cost is irrelevant to the man in the street who pays his dollars at the cinema. Derivative, is too generous a word for it, but its worst fault is a lethal deficiency in story-telling momentum.

I've watched countless horror films and this is one of the very best.

I agree with a previous reviewer that the Americans are generally better at making these sorts of films, but this particular film proves beyond doubt that the best British efforts are at least as good as anything the Yanks can do.

If this really was made on a budget of £100k it just goes to show how much bang for your buck you can get with the right writer/director and cast. The whole feel of the film is effortlessly authentic. The cast is superb throughout and the dialogue completely natural and believable.

The director deserves credit for putting some very brave moments on camera, moments that even in today's battle hardened torture porn times elevate this movie to the sublime.

Far from being in any way inferior to an American production, this is in fact near perfect execution of modern horror storytelling.

Someone told me to on a horror forum i liked it for what it is

Was looking forward to this as a prime bit of low budget British film-making but sadly was very underwhelmed. When a director cites such a long shopping list of influences you've got to wonder if he has any ideas or vision of his own. There will be many people who will expound on its satirical qualities but I don't really buy it. I have to be gripped and entertained by horror and there was no real energy in the story. I was just exhausted by its wearying intention to shock. I stayed to the end, unlike many folk who simply trudged out. It was so poorly scripted, directed and badly acted. Low budget does not have to mean mediocre film-making or lack of subtlety, perhaps if this director found himself a good writer there might be a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel. Watching it was the equivalent of twiddling your fingers in the dark for eighty minutes. Sorry to say this- but, all in all, best avoided.

I had heard about Mum & Dad as being a film not for the faint hearted and for those who love blood and guts. This did put me off just a bit but as soon as I had the chance to see it, I went for it and stuck it through until the end. The truth of the matter is, that it's not blood after blood after blood but in fact more drama after drama after drama. I would say that the film, although it is quite graphic and scary at times, is more of a drama than horror flick. The film starts off well and soon gets right into the action and the film ends well as well. I was on the edge of my seat for most of the film and biting my nails in anticipation about what was to happen next. The only criticism I have over this film is that the storyline isn't very strong. It's quite a strange tale and there are some questions that I would like answered but overall, don't be put off by the critics calling it gruesome and horrible. It's dramatic, suspenseful, scary and bloody and one that you should definitely see!

I was really looking forward to seeing this after reading some of the reviews on here, finally watched it last night and all I can say is that I nearly turned it off several times and at the end I wished I had as I could have been watching something decent instead! The acting in all fairness is between good and excellent at times, its just the story is very weak - no justification for anything that happens - I have read on here its based on Fred and Rose west but there is nothing really to indicate that in any great depth other than its based around a pair of psychotic parents.

I enjoyed Saw and the rest of the films in that series although not as good are all better than this, Hostel is probably one of the worst films I have sat through - I am not squeamish and love a great horror film but I do like to actually have some semblance of a plot to go with the gore - this is more gore for gore's sake in the vein of Hostel than something clever (yeah yeah Saw ain't gonna win an Oscar but at least it had a plot and some twists)with gore added into the mix, this is closer to Hostel than Saw by a mile, when it ended I really did think I wonder what all the fuss was about - OK its shot on a cheap budget which does show at times, the special effects are very good in fairness, its just the whole thing was written on the back of a fag packet.......

1/10 because I am sick of being disappointed by films that really are a waste of time. Great acting. Awful film.

I recently saw Mum & Dad at UK's FrightFest festival, and have to say it blew me away as being one of the best, most balls-out British horror films in years.

The cast are all uniformly excellent (with Ainsley as Birdie and Perry as Dad being particularly brilliant), and the well-written script is full of very dark humour. Imagine The Royle Family meets The People Under The Stairs as interpreted by Mike Leigh.

The film is brilliantly directed by Steven Sheil for it's reported £100k budget limitation, and there are several classic scenes - the best being the nightmarish Christmas party which will bring uncomfortable laughter to anyone who has experienced a 'traditional British family Christmas' (although how can you also forget the scene where Dad pleasures himself with a piece of flesh!).

A genuinely solid shocker - I hope that Mum & Dad gets the release it deserves.

This was certainly a difficult film to rate, and in the end I had to give it something better than average, but I am a trifle disturbed to admit that I kind of liked it. It is the sort of film where you are drawn to watch more of it although you know it is very distasteful. Once or twice I was close to turning away. But I still liked it - does this mean I am a freak? I guess we are allowed to like depraved movies without feeling particularly guilty...

Without giving too much away, the film involves the incarceration of a young woman against her will, and she is abused in various ways by a family of loonies. British loonies at that. Actually one thing that always sells a movie for me is the UK connection - the movie is only rating about 5.3 as I write - but this made in UK angle was all I needed to give it the time of day.

A number of my peers have referred to the movie as a "dark comedy" which surprises me because I did not even smile through the whole film. There is little to smile about so I am wondering if they saw something I didn't. In fact I expected the movie to go down the sexual abuse road but I am glad to say that the viewer is only subjected to that in a mild way.

What else can I say without giving away the story? While the movie was playing, I mentioned to my lovely wife that I was watching the "most depraved movie I have ever seen". Well in modern times anyway - come to think of it there was a movie many years ago called "The Last House on the Left" which rates pretty high on that scale. If you missed it, you did not miss much.

what a waste of 1.5 hrs. i could have cleaned the mould out of my bathroom and it would have been more entertaining. All this film did was make me angry. and not in the good way- the plot, script and acting was terrible. what an absolute waste of time. the only believable bit was the poor b*****d who played "dad" he was believable as the incestuous bludgeoning of the head of the family. do not waste your time, honestly low budget doesn't have to equal poor I've seen low budget films and enjoyed them this was a complete pile of the proverbial. this film needs to be forgotten about and locked away never to be seen again.

Loosely inspired by Fred and Rosemary West sick murderous activity "Mum and Dad" doesn't disappoint when it comes to brutality.Mum and Dad and their 'adopted' children,Birdie & Elbie,work at the airport.The family live off whatever they scavenge from cargo holds,offices and hotels - including a steady stream of transient workers who populate the airport's soulless hub.When Lena,a young Polish office cleaner,is befriended by Birdie,she gets drawn into a nightmarish world of torture,murder and perversity.Imprisoned in a suburban House of Horrors and designated a 'Mummy's Girl',Lena's only options appear to be to become part of the family-and join them in their insanity-or die painful death.The film despite its general misanthrophy and unsettling violence plays like a black comedy.It certainly has plenty of humorous moments to relieve the tension.It's quite disturbing and torture-laden too.8 out of 10.

I wanted to give this chance because it was a British film, but I was unprepared for the depravity on show here.

I cannot believe that the BBC saw fit to be involved with this awful piece of 'torture porn', and following their recent lapses of judgement, this will be more ammunition for the people who think 'Auntie' has lost her way.

I for one object that part, however little, of my licence fee has gone into funding this obscene film.

I love horror films, but this just went too far, and I never want to see it again.

Finally, I'm surprised that this got past the censors, it truly shows how desensitised people have become, and why the human race is truly on a downward spiral when this is considered to be entertainment.