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I. The Punk Rock Heart of Indie Horror: Meet It Adams Family
“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
In the fascinating world of artistic crossover, there’s a unique thrill in witnessing creators from diverse backgrounds venture into the realm of horror and discover it as their true calling. From Jordan Peele’s societal thrillers to Skottie Young’s comic horrors, the genre has embraced talents like William Friedkin, T. Kingfisher, Colson Whitehead, S.A. Barnes, and the dynamic duo of Alex di Campi and Erica Henderson. Even the wonderfully unconventional Chuck Tingle has graced horror with his unique touch. These artists, celebrated in various genres, find a potent and liberating home in horror.
One compelling factor drawing these diverse talents to horror is its inherent inclusivity and DIY spirit. The horror scene thrives on a punk rock ethos: if you crave scares that are missing from mainstream cinema, you take the reins and craft them yourself. This is the heart of independent horror – a space where creative freedom reigns supreme. There are no gatekeepers, only a supportive community of artists eager to champion originality and ingenuity.
This is precisely where It Adams Family shines.
The Adams Family – John Adams, Toby Poser, and their daughters Lulu and Zelda – embarked on their filmmaking journey a decade ago. Their productions are true family endeavors, self-funded and fiercely independent, granting them complete creative control over every facet of filmmaking. From writing and acting to producing, directing, and sound design, the Adams Family manages it all, collaboratively. They embrace shared responsibilities, fostering an environment of creative experimentation and collective problem-solving. Successes are celebrated, and setbacks become valuable lessons, fueling their next creative endeavor. Answering only to themselves, they are free to pursue the stories that resonate most deeply with them.
Initially, their filmography leaned towards quirky indie projects – family-centric crime thrillers with a humorous edge and heartfelt dramedies. However, a pivotal shift occurred when they embraced horror. For the benefit of genre enthusiasts everywhere, it’s a path they should undoubtedly continue to forge.
II. Whispers from the Shadows: Unpacking “The Deeper You Dig”
“We need ghost stories because we, in fact, are the ghosts.” – Stephen King
The opening scene of it Adams Family’s The Deeper You Dig is instantly captivating: a solitary figure in a respirator mask sifting through debris in a half-renovated house, while the melancholic strains of “After You’ve Gone” drift from tin-can speakers connected to an antique Victrola perched on a dusty mantelpiece. This single shot perfectly encapsulates the film’s atmosphere – initially strange and unsettling, it deepens into something profoundly mesmerizing as the narrative unfolds.
We are introduced to Ivy (Toby Poser), a tarot card reader with a touch of benign con artist, preying on vulnerable locals seeking connection with departed loved ones. Any genuine psychic ability she might have once possessed has long since faded. Her teenage daughter, Echo (Zelda Adams), is a charmingly sarcastic and sweet-natured girl who enjoys outdoor pursuits like hunting and sledding. Ivy and Echo live a quiet, secluded life, their days filled with work and school, their companionship a comforting constant.
Kurt (John Adams) is another solitary figure in their community, engrossed in renovating the house featured in the eerie opening. Kurt also has a penchant for alcohol. One fateful night, driving home after indulging in several drinks, his attention is momentarily diverted by a family of deer crossing the icy road.
This brief lapse in concentration has devastating consequences. A sickening thump reverberates through the car. He stops, investigates, and discovers Echo, returning from a night sledding, lifeless on the roadside.
Like the most compelling noir narratives, The Deeper You Dig immediately confronts the audience with a chillingly personal question: what would you do in such a horrific situation?
What indeed?
Kurt, gripped by panic and inebriation, makes the catastrophic decision to conceal the accident. Under the cover of a snowy night, he attempts to bury Echo’s body in a shallow grave in the woods. When this makeshift burial fails, he inexplicably transports her corpse back to the dilapidated house, hides her in a grimy bathtub, and abandons her there, foolishly believing it’s the end of his ordeal.
Digging
A masterfully composed shot from “The Deeper You Dig,” showcasing the film’s visual storytelling.
Initially, The Deeper You Dig appears to be a neo-noir thriller of the highest caliber, and it undeniably is. The tension relentlessly escalates, creating a nerve-wracking experience. However, as the story progresses, delving deeper into its unsettling core, the intricate and disturbing machinery beneath the surface becomes apparent. When Echo begins to manifest in Kurt’s waking life, initially dismissed as guilt-induced hallucinations, she proves to be far more substantial than mere figments of a troubled conscience. Even in death, Echo has her own agenda.
Ivy’s tarot card scam is not a random detail; it’s a deliberate misdirection, a narrative sleight of hand designed to keep the audience off balance. It initially suggests a world where the supernatural is fraudulent, a cynical exploitation of those seeking solace in apathetic universe.
But the essence of ghost stories lies in their unexpected reality – disbelief vanishes when you find yourself ensnared within one.
True to the Adams Family’s filmmaking style, The Deeper You Dig defies its homemade origins. This hallmark of their productions becomes particularly striking here, showcasing the family’s growing mastery. The film exhibits a unique singularity of vision and composition that rivals many big-budget studio productions. Its claustrophobic and unsettling atmosphere is meticulously crafted and entirely intentional.
The film’s visuals are consistently striking. The Adams Family demonstrates a remarkable ability to harness natural conditions – filming primarily with natural light, amidst authentic weather, whether it’s a snowy night, a bright day, or a gloomy evening. Their cinematic ingenuity with minimal equipment – a camera, a tripod, and boundless imagination – is truly astonishing.
While The Deeper You Dig is a compelling film in its own right, it serves as a foundation for it Adams Family’s horror ambitions. It was their subsequent project that truly catapulted them into the spotlight.
III. Cycles of Fear and Power: Exploring “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 film, it Adams Family aimed for greater ambition. They envisioned a larger cast, diverse locations, and enhanced production value. This project was intended to be a significant leap forward.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic forced them to recalibrate, scaling back their grand plans to create something sharper and more focused – Hellbender.
Produced once again 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 stretching from New York to Maine, then to Washington and the Pacific coast, Hellbender tells the story of Izzy (Zelda Adams), a lonely teenager, and her fiercely protective mother (Toby Poser). They live in isolated seclusion deep within the woods. Mother insists Izzy is ill, unable to venture into the outside world, meet people, or form friendships, claiming the world poses a danger to her.
But, unsurprisingly, Mother’s narrative is a fabrication. They are the true danger.
When Izzy defies her mother’s restrictions and encounters a friendly college girl, her carefully constructed world shatters, blurring the lines between perception and reality. Subsequent clandestine meetings lead to tequila shots and poolside gatherings with the girl and her friends. When one of them playfully dares Izzy to eat an earthworm, she readily accepts. Raised vegan and sheltered, Izzy has never tasted anything living, nor experienced genuine friendship. Her curiosity and desire to fit in are understandable.
This seemingly innocuous act ignites a chain of transformative events.
Izzy and Mother are revealed to be Hellbenders, ancient, enigmatic beings described as a fusion of witch, demon, and apex predator. While appearing human, their true nature is far more profound and sinister.
The essence of Hellbenders lies in their sustenance: fear. They thrive not on flesh or blood, but on the terror they instill in their prey. Fear fuels their immortality, strengthens them over centuries, and amplifies their power with each terrified soul consumed.
Much like horror creators themselves.
Whether this parallel was intentional or not, it Adams Family inadvertently crafted a potent metaphor for those who traffic in scares.
Mother repeatedly urges Izzy to exercise restraint, echoing the “with great power comes great responsibility” mantra. However, Izzy remains unconvinced, increasingly indifferent to control as her monstrous power burgeons.
HB-Z-totem
Another striking visual from “Hellbender,” exemplifying it Adams Family’s talent for impactful imagery.
Hellbender is not merely a product of the Adams Family’s DIY ethos; it’s a cinematic exploration of the yearning for liberation and self-discovery. The film chronicles Izzy’s metamorphosis from a sheltered teen into a formidable predator, fearless and embodying primal human nightmares.
Themes of cycles, needs, mortality, legacy, and the illusion of control permeate the narrative. As Izzy embraces her true nature, Mother’s attempts at control escalate, culminating in a stark declaration:
“If you break my heart, I’ll devour you.”
Delivered almost casually, yet laden with truth, this line underscores Mother’s misjudgment. Her manipulative control has already fractured Izzy’s heart, and now she risks becoming the devoured. Hellbender existence mirrors the cyclical nature of seasons:
Spring eats Winter, Winter eats Fall, Fall eats…
Hellbender transcends simple morality. While Mother adheres to a strict ethical code, Izzy is driven by primal urges and hunger. She embodies a great white shark in teenage form, a direwolf in worn Converse sneakers.
The film’s narrative brilliance lies in its refusal to adopt a moral stance. It avoids simplistic judgments of right and wrong, recognizing that such concepts are inherently human and limited in scope. They become insignificant when confronted with beings beyond human comprehension.
Is Mother justified in suppressing their predatory nature? Yes. Is Izzy justified in succumbing to her bloodlust? Also yes.
Hellbender eschews easy answers, seeking a more complex and authentic truth, and therein lies its profound beauty.
Hellbender’s production value surpasses even The Deeper You Dig, defying its micro-budget origins. Expanding beyond static tripod shots, Hellbender incorporates drone cinematography (skillfully operated by Zelda), executed with such expertise that it belies their independent filmmaking context.
The special effects are noteworthy, seamlessly integrated and remarkably convincing, especially considering the film’s scale. While indie films often feature fun special effects, they can sometimes compromise believability.
Hellbender defies this. Every effect feels natural and organic, enhancing the narrative without disrupting immersion. Visual effects supervisor Trey Lindsay achieved a remarkable feat.
The soundtrack, composed and performed by Zelda and Toby’s punk band H6llb6nd6r, is equally compelling. The music is evocative and haunting, both intimate and expansive, driven by Kim Deal-esque bass lines and ethereal vocals.
IV. Embracing the Magic: The Future of It 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 of excitement when discovering an artist – a band, author, or filmmaker – who has been quietly honing their craft, creating genuine and resonant art. You find yourself hoping for their success, but also wishing that recognition doesn’t dilute their unique magic.
This encapsulates the sentiment towards it Adams Family.
Their strength lies in the core elements of horror: authentic human stories, a robust DIY ethic, a sharp sense of humor, and ample scares, gore, and mayhem to satisfy even the most ardent horror fans. They possess a clear artistic vision and execute it with unwavering dedication, consistently exceeding expectations.
There’s an undeniable magic in their work, deserving of widespread recognition and acclaim. Hellbender has garnered significant positive attention since its release on Shudder, and rightfully so. Their upcoming project, thankfully another horror film, is rumored to be a period piece, their distinctive take on a Western tale.
Anticipation is high for their next creation, confident that it will be another exceptional work. It Adams Family possesses a clear understanding of their craft, backed by decades of collective experience, operating entirely on their own terms.
That is the essence of punk rock filmmaking.
Stream Hellbender and The Deeper You Dig on Shudder.
Order Matthew Lyons’ newest novel, A Black and Endless Sky, from your favorite retailer:
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