Mother of Flies, on Shudder

Mickey considers Solvieg a healer. The locals call her a witch. This is not a case of potato-potahto. Viewers can tell from some of the flashbacks that the locals are probably more right than wrong. Either way, Mickey entrusts herself to the strange woman’s care in the latest film from the Adams Filmmaking Family (John Adams, Zelda Adams, and Toby Poser), Mother of Flies, which premieres this Friday on Shudder.

Sadly, Mickey’s cancer has returned while she was away at college—aggressively. Exhausted with conventional treatments, she has convinced her father Jake to accompany her while she visits Solveig. Of course, Jake is suspicious, but Micky assures him Solveig is not trying to swindle her. She didn’t even advertise or pitch her services in a commercial sense. According to Mickey, Solveig came to her in a dream.

Jake is still skeptical, as well he should be. He doesn’t take to Solveig’s vegetarian cooking, while some of the “healer’s” “treatments” look quite distressing. Yet, Mickey believes Solveig’s weird occult remedies must be working. Awkwardly, the college student starts to resent her father’s doubts, arguing they undermine the faith Solveig’s treatment requires.

The Adamses have confirmed Mother of Flies was inspired by their own family history of cancer survival, but most viewers could guess as much just from watching. Every frame rings with uncomfortable authenticity, while a good deal of dialogue sounds adapted from memory. It is definitely one of the most emotionally sophisticated horror films of the year. To some extent, the serious, very mortal issues of mortality overshadow the supernatural horror that should drive the film. However, Solveig is always massively creepy.

Indeed, this is easily Poser’s scariest performance in any of the films she has made with John Adams and their daughters. In fact, she might be so creepy, it is hard to believe she does not scare off Jake and Mickey on their first meeting. Regardless, Zelda Adams is extraordinarily impressive expressing Mickey’s frustration and pain. Similarly, John Adams’s portrayal of Jake is acutely human, in the messiest and most believable ways. It is also worth noting the other Adams sister, Lulu joins her family in the relatively brief but memorable role of a local innkeeper.

The Adams Family’s best film probably remains their breakout festival hit, The Deeper You Dig, but Mother of Lies shares a similarly earthy, mossy, folky horror-ish vibe. Their next film, Hellbenders, is probably also better, when judged by horror movie standards, but this might be their most honest and personal work. Recommended for fans of witchcraft-themed folk horror, Mother of Lies starts streaming this Friday (1/23) on Shudder.