The Horror is Raw in ‘The Children’ (Review)

Written by: Paula Limbaugh

Directed by: Tom Shankland

Cast: Eva Birthistle, Stephen Campbell Moore, Jeremy Sheffield, William Howes, Eva Sayer

So I was sitting at home last night bored out of my mind and decided to see what was on “On Demand” and boy what a CREEPY find this was!!  Released in 2008 this British horror film directed by Tom Shankland is a real gem.  Over the years I’ve become a bit jaded when it comes to horror movies and it takes a lot to get me excited but this DID it for me!  With Eva Birthistle (Elaine) and Hannah Tointon (Casey) as mother and daughter this flick will surely make you think twice about the kiddies.

Elaine along with her husband and three children has just arrived at her sister Chloe’s (Rachel Shelly) home to spend the New Year holiday with Chloe and her family.  Little did they know that this was to be the last holiday spent as a family. Upon arrival Paulie, Elaine’s young son becomes ill.  Soon all the young children follow suit except Casey who at 16 is quite a bit older than the rest.

At first there are little spates of violence, Paulie is yelling for his mother and when his father Jonah (Stephen Campbell Moore) picks him up, he lashes out and starts hitting dad in the face. Then there are the little ‘accidents” with mommy or daddy at the receiving end. Things take a twisted turn when Chloe’s husband Robbie (Jeremy Sheffield) is found dying in the front yard.  No longer is the malice towards the adults hidden, this is do or die and the kids are DOING!

The casting of the children was brilliant; in fact Tom Shankland won Special Mention in the 2009 Fantasia Film Festival for the direction of child actors. They are William Howes as Paulie, Eva Sayer as Paulie and Casey’s sister Miranda, Jake Hathaway as cousin Nicky and Rafiella Brooks as Nicky’s little sister Leah. Just the right amount of sweetness with a side of malevolence. The mounting suspense building up to the unexpected ending is superb!  This movie really works, no special effects needed.  All the horror is raw, tight as a wire tension. With an 85 min. run time don’t take my word on it, you can see it HERE!

Rating: 4/5