Father of Flies is a 2021 horror film in which a vulnerable young boy finds his mother pushed out of the family home by a strange new woman; he must confront the terrifying supernatural forces that seem to move in with her.
Directed by British filmmaker Ben Charles Edwards from a screenplay co-written with Nadia Doherty. Produced by Kirsty Bell.
The British-American Goldfinch Entertainment production stars Camilla Rutherford (Gosford Park; Phantom Thread), Sandra Andreis (Girl with the Dragon Tattoo), Davi Santos (Tell Me a Story), Page Ruth (Shameless) and Nicholas Tucci (You’re Next).
Reviews:
“I really enjoyed this movie, as you can tell that its creator was using it as some form of exorcism. I want to know how they got The Cure on the soundtrack on their budget. And the scene that they provide the music for is absolutely astounding, as the new mother figure throws herself around the house dancing while wearing a Rejuvenique massage mask…” B&S About Movies
“Edwards takes old sources of fear – something just outside the door, something under the bed, glaring static on an old cathode ray TV set – and gives them back their power. Unfolding slowly, with a chilling smoothness, the film effortlessly draws viewers in […] it’s a highly impressive second feature, signalling the arrival of a significant new talent.” Eye for Film
” …it takes the essence of a really good King novel and works it into something that is similar, but never the same. With the result of Edwards’ labour of love being such a complex and entrancing movie, it’s a shame that it took a tragedy to make it a reality. Now it is in the world though I highly recommend you seek Father of Flies out as soon as you can…” The Hollywood News
“This one is all about tension, unease, and an increasingly eerie atmosphere, all of which Edwards, who co-wrote the screenplay with Nadia Doherty, delivers in spades […] Father of Flies offers plenty on which to chew and runs several of its characters through emotional wringers, with a bit of ambiguity to further flavor its eldritch tone.” Horror Fuel
“Ultimately, the reason to watch Father of Flies is because of its imagery which is strange, scary and deliciously disturbing. If Ben Charles Edwards had sorted his narrative out, or at least made it a bit clearer, then this could have been a minor classic, but at least by the end the title makes sense. As it is we have a film with plenty of weird stuff that doesn’t really add up…” House of Mortal Cinema
“Father of Flies then is a bleakly grim look at family tragedy and an exploration of the grief it breeds. The movie twists, turns and intertwines – much like the trees that surround the house – constantly misleading audiences until the final, devastating resolve.” Moving Pictures Club
“The movie looks really good […] and not just with some decent special effects. More so in the use of its weather and lighting […] I didn’t feel like we got enough back story At first, it feels like the audience won’t be told at all but the movie does get there with its explanation and backstory, it just feels a bit lacklustre.” Nerdly
“Okay, there might be echoes of Poltergeist and The Ring (TV static isn’t that scary despite what film makers tell us). However, there are some wonderfully haunting images, and if you’re looking for something to make your Halloween go with a bang, this ticks that box admirably.” On: Yorkshire
Release:
Trinity Creative Partnership and 101 Films will release Father of Flies in the US and Canada on Digital and On-Demand (VOD) on April 12, 2022. Rent or buy via Amazon
In the UK, 101 Films will release Father of Flies on Digital on April 11, 2022, and on DVD on April 12, 2022.
Previously, Father of Flies premiered at Grimmfest from 14-17th October 2021 and had a UK theatrical premiere at Raindance on 6th November. In the US, Father of Flies had its premiere at ScreamFest LA, at the Chinese Theatre on 14th October 2021.
‘Every family has its demons’
Filming locations:
Queens, New York City, New York
Suffern and Tribeca, New York
London, England
Technical details:
1 hour 18 minutes
Aspect ratio: 2.35: 1
Trailer:
“Something in my bed” clip:
