Mum & Dad

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

'Mum & Dad' director Steven Sheil cites Pete Walker's 'Frightmare' and Freddie Francis' 'Mumsy, Nanny, Sonny & Girlie' amongst his influences, but this darkly horrific, savagely funny and disturbing debut is a far cry from Walker and Francis' visions. With a constant soundtrack of jumbo jets screaming overhead and an almost religious zeal for making even the most mundane of British customs (cups of tea, Christmas sherry, fried breakfasts) seem perverted and wrong, 'Mum & Dad' stands out amongst the usual horror fare of good-looking teens being bumped off. In fact, despite wearing it's influences (most notably Tobe Hooper's 'Texas Chain Saw Massacre') on its sleeve, the film manages to conjure up a unique atmosphere of brutality and disgust that stays with you long afterwards. Great performances all round and great production values despite the limited budget. Terrific, edgy film-making.

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.

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.