Review of Amelia's Children: Uninspiring Portuguese Horror Film Falls Short of Expectations

Amelia's Children has a familiar setup for horror fans, similar to 2022's The Invitation but with a focus on Portuguese witchcraft legends instead of vampirism. The story follows Ed, a man in his thirties, who decides to explore his birth family after receiving an ancestry kit from his girlfriend Ryley. Together, they journey to Portugal to meet his long-lost twin brother Manuel and their mother Amelia.

As the plot unfolds, Ryley becomes increasingly concerned about Manuel's close relationship with his mother and Amelia's obsession with maintaining her youth. Despite her warnings, Ed is too caught up in the excitement of discovering his family to pay attention to her fears. This dynamic reflects a common horror theme of female characters in danger struggling to be taken seriously, seen in both classic films like Rosemary's Baby and modern works like Parker Finn's Smile.

Amelia's Children Doesn't Elevate Its Clichés

Its uncompelling aesthetic matches its generic storyline.

Many well-regarded horror movies embrace long-standing tropes and clichés. Some subgenres, like the slasher genre, heavily rely on predictable formulae. However, it is essential for filmmakers to offer something more than just the formula, such as compelling characters, unexpected plot twists, a captivating visual style, or a unique message. Unfortunately, Amelia's Children appears to be satisfied with sticking to the most basic and overused elements of the genre, lacking any creativity or originality.

The movie appears hesitant to fully immerse the audience in the unsettling events unfolding on screen, pulling back instead of fully embracing the horror elements.

The movie occasionally touches on taboo or unsettling elements, but it always seems hesitant to fully explore them. Instead of fully embracing the horror genre's ability to shock and thrill us, it plays it safe like a kiddie ride at the mall - predictable and smooth.

Similarly, the filmmaking in Amelia's Children plays it safe. While competently shot, it lacks the ability to truly shock or evoke strong emotions. The visuals are clear and well-balanced, but the camera feels more like a passive observer rather than a tool to enhance the storytelling.

Strong Performances Can't Save Amelia's Children

Brigette Lundy-Paine is the lead the movie needs.

Alba Baptista as Amelia Kneeling on the Floor with a Baby in Amelia's Children - Brigette Lundy-Paine is the lead the movie needs. - Strong Performances Can't Save Amelia's Children

The saving grace of this movie lies in its cast, particularly Brigette Lundy-Paine, known for playing Casey Gardner in Atypical. They bring a charming and approachable warmth to their character, Ryley. It's crucial to feel a connection to Ryley in some way, as it makes it more interesting to see her navigate the difficult situation the movie presents.

Lundy-Paine stands out as the standout performer in the movie, but their co-stars also deserve recognition. Anabela Moreira dives into her role with enthusiasm, portraying a character who appears fragile yet harbors a hidden sense of danger. Carloto Cotta impresses as the villain Manuel, exuding a menacing presence reminiscent of a coiled snake ready to strike. On the other hand, Ed's character lacks the depth of his twin, leaving Cotta struggling to bring life to a less dynamic and reactive role.

Unfortunately, the horror scenes in the film fall short of delivering the expected chills and thrills, feeling bland and lacking in originality.

Unfortunately, Amelia's Children falls short in providing much beyond the main performances. The horror scenes lack the depth and originality needed to truly captivate the audience. While some character interactions stand out, particularly those between Moreira and Lundy-Paine, the majority of the film is filled with repetitive and uninspiring melodrama.

Despite its mediocrity, the movie manages to avoid being a complete bore. However, its lack of depth in exploring themes such as family dynamics, relationships, and the challenges of aging and youth leaves much to be desired. It's hard to understand why this particular story was deemed worthy of being told.

Amelia's Children is now out in theaters and on VOD.

Editor's P/S:

Overall, the article provides a comprehensive overview of "Amelia's Children," highlighting its familiar horror tropes, uninspired storytelling, and lack of originality. While the performances of Brigette Lundy-Paine and Anabela Moreira are praised, the film is criticized for its safe and predictable approach, which fails to deliver the expected chills and thrills.

The article exposes the film's shortcomings in terms of its uncompelling aesthetic, generic storyline, and inability to fully embrace the horror genre. The reviewer argues that the movie lacks depth in exploring its themes and ultimately fails to justify its existence. Despite the strong performances, "Amelia's Children" is deemed a mediocre horror experience that fails to stand out from the crowd.