Children of the Pines is a 2023 psychological drama horror film about a young woman who visits her estranged parents.
The movie was written and directed by Joshua Morgan.
Plot:
Over her winter break, Riley (Kelly Tappan), a college junior, is persuaded by her estranged parents, Kathy and John, to visit home to fix their fractured relationship. As Riley settles in, she discovers that her parents have developed an unsettling friendship with her high school ex, Gordon (Vas Provatakis) and that mysterious children live in the house.
A series of disturbing flashbacks reveal Kathy and John’s time at an eerie, unconventional couples therapy retreat that promised to heal their problems through supernatural means. As the day progresses, Riley starts to uncover the dark and twisted truth of her parent’s desperate attempts to mend the deep issues plaguing their family…
Reviews:
“It relies on narration to lay major themes down throughout and has a soft, dreamy aesthetic that creates a great contrast to the high strangeness the characters are subject to. It’s also relatable to anyone who has faced familial conflict or generational trauma. Morgan approaches complex themes and emotions head-on and that confidence translates to every actor on screen. This is a poetic horror film with an innovative twist that inspires curiosity and dread.” Love Horror
“While the film’s cult aspect is creepy, the lack of background or explanation for it and its activities poses a problem, especially in the last twenty minutes or so when Riley’s parents attempt to forcibly induct her, complete with what are supposed to be her and Gordon’s children. If you’ve seen David Cronenberg’s film The Brood, then the plot, especially in the last act, may make a bit more sense…” ★★★ Voices from the Balcony
Trailer:
Release:
October 18, 2024, on VOD.
Cast and characters:
Danielle J. Bowman … Kathy
Sylvie Mohr … Young Riley
Kelly Tappan … Riley
Vivian Hunter … Young Kathy
Ryosuke Sekoguchi … Young John
Vas Provatakis … Gordon
Joshua Morgan … Marc
Mateo Taylor … Young Gordon
Richard Cohn-Lee … John
Donna Rae Allen … Lorelei
Technical specs:
1 hour 33 minutes
Aspect ratio: 1.85: 1
