Where the Devil Roams is a 2023 American horror film that follows a family of murderous sideshow performers as they travel around the dying carnival circuit during the Great Depression era.
Written, directed by and starring John Adams, Zelda Adams and producer Toby Poser (Hellbender; The Deeper You Dig). The Wonder Wheel Productions movie also stars Lulu Adams.
Reviews:
“With only slight rising action, Where the Devil Roams feels listless; it doesn’t feel as though the film is building towards something. The Buffalo Horror Show, for example, appears abruptly out of nowhere, and although the carnival recurs, long swaths of the film finds the family travelling solo with no mention of the other performers.” 3 out of 5, Bloody Disgusting
“I understand this is a microbudget DIY effort, but every ambitious shot with fire or planes is so unrealistic it takes you out of the film completely. Where the Devil Roams would be a much stronger film if it had devoted more time and depth to the demonic nature of its last half hour but there’s more than enough heart, gore, and badass songs to paint a twisted smile on your face.” 7 out of 10, But Why Tho?
“Where the Devil Roams is a Gothic vision of a desperate America under capitalism’s grim thumb, and it ends with a shocking image of body horror, as we see the Great Depression’s consequences inscribed upon Maggie and Seven. The awful horrors of Maggie and Seven’s bodies are a result of how they have been torn apart by the forces of capitalist greed and the wars of men.” Father Son Holy Gore
“As seems to be their style, the Adams have a lot to say, but use as little dialogue as possible, rather relying on facial expressions, music and the gorgeous cinematography to get their point across. At times, the film feels a bit like a very serious 90s music video, and that’s either a positive or a negative depending on the viewer, but overall, indulging in this family’s particular brand of horror is a nice retreat that feels cozy and welcoming, albeit a tad bit menacing.” Haddonfield Horror
“The story feels torn between the carnival and the crime spree, like it were two separate movies crammed into one […] The concept and execution of Where the Devil Roams is nonetheless original and should be celebrated as a triumph. The Adams family continue to push the boundaries of independent filmmaking, and their creativity and ambitions are undeterred by their modestly-sized piggy bank.” 81% Nightmare on Film Street
” …it’s stitched together mighty nicely, with a growing plot about assembling body parts. Their collective filmmaking eye is still so compellingly intentional and full of riches. Whether it’s with the desaturated color palette or later full black and white, the Adams are so gifted at filming bleak Americana, corpses, cloudy days, and rotting hands.” RogerEbert.com
“Lauded by some for its atmosphere, but I’d just as soon look at a snowy post card than sit through this again. Has brushes with decent gore, but the pace is a slog and the characters never do anything to write home about. As for the dialog? Ugh. So pretentious.” 1 out of 4, Splatter Critic
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