Blank Text
I. The DIY Ethos of Family Horror Filmmaking
“To me, punk rock is the freedom to create, freedom to be successful, freedom to not be successful, freedom to be who you are. It’s freedom.” – Patti Smith
There’s a unique thrill in witnessing artists from diverse backgrounds venture into the horror genre and discover it as their true calling. From acclaimed directors like Jordan Peele to comic artists like Skottie Young, and literary talents spanning William Friedkin to T. Kingfisher, the horror landscape is enriched by creators who have honed their skills in other genres. Even the wonderfully unconventional Chuck Tingle has found a home in horror, proving its boundless appeal.
The reasons behind this genre migration are as varied as the artists themselves. However, a compelling factor is horror’s inherently inclusive nature, deeply rooted in a DIY punk rock spirit. If you crave scares that are missing from mainstream cinema, the mantra is clear: create them yourself. Horror thrives on independent vision, encouraging filmmakers to forge their own path. This vibrant community readily embraces and champions those who dare to contribute their unique voices.
This is precisely where the Adams family story begins.
About a decade ago, the family consisting of father John Adams, mother Toby Poser, and daughters Lulu (the elder) and Zelda (the younger), embarked on a filmmaking journey together. Their productions are entirely self-funded and family-driven, granting them complete creative autonomy over every aspect of the process. From writing and acting to producing, directing, and sound design, the Adams family handles it all, collaboratively. They share responsibilities, fostering a dynamic environment of creative experimentation and collective problem-solving. Successes are celebrated, and setbacks are viewed as learning opportunities, guiding their next endeavors. They are accountable only to their artistic vision, dedicated to telling the stories they are passionate about.
Initially, their films leaned towards quirky indie territories, exploring family-centric crime thrillers with a touch of humor and heartfelt dramedies. However, a few projects into their family filmmaking journey, they made a pivotal shift towards horror. For horror enthusiasts everywhere, this genre embrace has been a resounding triumph, and one can only hope they continue down this thrilling path.
II. Unearthing the Supernatural in The Deeper You Dig
“We need ghost stories because we, in fact, are the ghosts.” – Stephen King
The opening scene of the Adams family’s The Deeper You Dig immediately establishes its eerie atmosphere: a lone figure in a respirator mask sifts through debris in a house under renovation, while the vintage strains of “After You’ve Gone” emanate from tin-can speakers connected to an antique Victrola perched on a dusty mantelpiece. This peculiar and unsettling scene, initially just strange, evolves into something utterly captivating as the film unfolds.
At the heart of the story, Ivy (Toby Poser) is introduced as a tarot card reader, a seemingly harmless con artist who preys on vulnerable locals seeking connection with the departed. While she might once have possessed genuine psychic abilities, they are now long dormant. Her teenage daughter, Echo (Zelda Adams), is a charming and witty girl who enjoys hunting and sledding. They share a quiet, close-knit life in a secluded community, navigating their daily routines of work and school in each other’s company.
Kurt (John Adams) is another solitary figure in their town, occupied with renovating the house featured in the film’s opening. He also struggles with alcohol. One fateful night, after consuming too much alcohol at dinner, Kurt’s attention wavers as he observes a deer family crossing the icy road.
His momentary distraction has devastating consequences. A sickening thump reverberates through the car. He stops and discovers Echo, returning from a night sledding, lifeless on the roadside.
Mirroring the best elements of noir, The Deeper You Dig confronts the audience with a stark and haunting question: what would you do in such a horrific situation?
What would anyone do?
Kurt, in a state of drunken panic, makes the catastrophic decision to cover up the accident. Under the cloak of night and falling snow, he drags Echo’s body deep into the woods, attempting a shallow burial. When this fails, he returns to the renovation site, concealing her corpse in a grimy old bathtub, foolishly believing it’s the end of the ordeal.
Digging
This is a masterfully composed shot that speaks volumes. Credit: Wonder Wheel Productions
Initially, The Deeper You Dig appears to be a quintessential neo-noir thriller, and it excels in that genre, building nerve-wracking tension relentlessly. However, as the narrative delves deeper—pun intended—into its bleak and terrifying core, the intricate, horrifying mechanisms driving the story become apparent. When Echo begins to manifest in Kurt’s waking hours, she initially seems like a manifestation of his guilt. Yet, she is far more substantial than a mere hallucination, and even in death, Echo has her own agenda.
Ivy’s fraudulent tarot readings are not accidental plot devices; they are deliberate misdirection, a trick the film plays on the audience to disorient our perceptions. It initially suggests a world where the supernatural is a mere fabrication, a cruel joke on those seeking solace in apathetic universe.
But the essence of ghost stories lies in their unexpected reality – you never truly believe in them until you become entangled in one yourself.
Like all Wonder Wheel/Adams Family productions, it’s remarkable that The Deeper You Dig is essentially a homemade film. This has been a consistent trait of their work, but in this film, the family’s dedication and effort truly shine. There’s a distinct artistic vision and compositional mastery that rivals many big-budget studio productions. The film’s deliberately claustrophobic and unsettling atmosphere is a testament to their directorial skill.
Visually, the movie is consistently striking. The Adamses expertly utilize natural conditions, filming primarily with natural light and in authentic weather, whether it’s a snowy night, a bright day, or a somber evening. Their ability to create such compelling visuals with a camera, tripod, and sheer imagination is truly impressive.
While The Deeper You Dig is a superb film in its own right, it served as a foundation for the Adams Family’s foray into horror. It was their subsequent film that would truly solidify their place in the genre.
III. The Primal Cycle of Hellbender
“To me, punk is about being an individual and going against the grain and standing up and saying ‘This is who I am.’” – Joey Ramone
For their next project, the Adamses aimed for greater ambition. They envisioned a larger cast, diverse locations, and enhanced production value. Hellbender was intended to be a significant leap forward.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic forced them to scale back their plans, refining the scope of the film to its essential core, resulting in a narrative as sharp and intense as sunlight on a razor’s edge.
The outcome was Hellbender.
Again produced by their Wonder Wheel Productions, distributed by Yellow Veil Pictures (known for The Long Walk, Blood Quantum, Horror Noire, La Llorona) and filmed during a 20,000-mile cross-country road trip, Hellbender tells the story of Izzy (Zelda Adams), a lonely teenager, and her fiercely protective mother (Toby Poser). They live in isolation deep within the woods. Mother claims Izzy is ill and must avoid the outside world and human contact, portraying the world as dangerous for her daughter.
But, unsurprisingly, Mother is deceiving Izzy. It turns out, they are the danger.
When Izzy disobeys her mother and befriends a local college girl, her sheltered existence is shattered, blurring the lines between illusion and reality. Venturing out again, Izzy finds herself at a pool party, sharing tequila shots and camaraderie. When dared to eat an earthworm, Izzy, raised strictly vegan, readily accepts. She has never tasted living flesh or experienced friendship. Her curiosity and desire to fit in are palpable.
This act of transgression sets off a chain of terrifying events.
Izzy and Mother are revealed to be Hellbenders, ancient, enigmatic creatures described as a fusion of witch, demon, and apex predator. They appear human but are far more sinister.
Hellbenders thrive not on flesh and blood, but on fear. They require their victims to be terrified before consumption, as fear is their sustenance, granting them centuries of life and immense power. The more terror they evoke and consume, the stronger they become.
Much like horror creators themselves.
Whether intentionally or not, the Adams family crafted Hellbenders as a potent metaphor for those who trade in scares. It’s a remarkably apt parallel.
Mother repeatedly cautions Izzy about responsibility accompanying power, echoing familiar platitudes. However, Izzy becomes increasingly indifferent to such moralizing as her monstrous power grows.
HB-Z-totem
Another example of the Adams Family’s exceptional shot composition. Credit: Wonder Wheel Productions
Hellbender is not just a product of the Adams family’s DIY ethos; it’s a film about the very essence of breaking free and claiming one’s identity. It chronicles Izzy’s transformation from a naive, sheltered teen into a terrifying predator, fearless and embodying primal nightmares.
The film explores themes of seasons, primal needs, mortality, legacy, and the illusion of control. Cycles are central to the narrative, and as Izzy embraces her true nature, Mother’s attempts to control her daughter’s predatory instincts escalate, culminating in a revealing, almost joking yet chillingly serious warning:
“If you break my heart, I’ll devour you.”
Mother, in her misguided attempts at control and through her lies, has already broken Izzy’s heart. Now, she is the one in danger of being consumed. Hellbender life cycles mirror the seasons:
Spring consumes Winter, Winter consumes Fall, Fall consumes…
Hellbender transcends simple morality tales. While Mother adheres to her own moral code, Izzy is driven by raw instinct and hunger. She is a great white shark in a teenage girl’s guise, a direwolf in worn Converse sneakers.
The film brilliantly avoids easy moral judgments on either character’s actions. It refrains from declaring right or wrong, recognizing that such human concepts are insignificant in the face of beings like Hellbenders.
Is Mother justified in trying to restrain their predatory nature? Yes. Is Izzy justified in succumbing to her bloodlust? Also yes.
Hellbender rejects simplistic answers, seeking a more profound and complex truth, which is where its true artistry resides.
Like The Deeper You Dig, Hellbender’s production value is astonishing, even more so considering its micro-budget origins. Expanding beyond static tripod shots, Hellbender incorporates drone cinematography (skillfully operated by Zelda), so expertly executed they rival professional productions.
The special effects deserve special mention. They are exceptional, especially when considering the film’s limited resources. While many indie horror films feature fun effects, they often lack polish and detract from immersion.
Hellbender defies this trend. Every special effect feels seamless and natural, a remarkable achievement considering the intricate and imaginative visuals throughout the film. Visual effects supervisor Trey Lindsay deserves immense credit for this feat.
The soundtrack, created by Zelda and Toby’s punk band H6llb6nd6r, is equally impressive. The music is evocative and haunting, blending intimacy with grandeur, driven by Kim Deal-esque basslines and ethereal vocals.
IV. Embracing the Darkness: The Enduring Appeal of the Adams Family
“Horror is the future. And you cannot be afraid. You must push everything to the absolute limit, or else life will be boring. Horror is like a serpent: always shedding its skin, always changing. And it will always come back.” – Dario Argento
There’s a unique feeling when discovering an artist – be it a band, author, or filmmaker – who has been quietly creating exceptional, authentic work for years, and you find yourself hoping they achieve success without compromising their artistic integrity.
This is the sentiment evoked by the Adams Family.
They excel at the core elements of horror: honest human stories, a strong DIY ethic, a keen sense of humor, and ample scares and gore to satisfy even the most ardent horror fans. They possess a clear artistic vision and execute it with relentless passion.
There’s a palpable magic in their work, deserving widespread recognition and acclaim. Hellbender has garnered significant positive attention since its release on Shudder last year, and rightfully so. Their upcoming project, another horror film, is rumored to be a period piece, their unique take on a Western tale.
Anticipation is high for their next creation, confident it will be another exceptional addition to their filmography. The Adams Family has consistently demonstrated their mastery of their craft, honed over years of experience and unwavering adherence to their own creative principles.
That’s the very definition of punk rock filmmaking.
Stream Hellbender and The Deeper You Dig on Shudder.
Order Matthew Lyons’ latest novel, A Black and Endless Sky, from your preferred retailer:
Apple | Bookshop | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound
