Disclaimer: This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. The Blogging Banshee fully supports those on strike and wrote this review in accordance with the WGA and SAG-AFTRA guidelines. You can learn more about the strikes and how to show your support by clicking the links provided above.

The Adams Family (The Deeper You Dig, Hellbender) have become a bit of a staple at Fantasia International Film Festival. This year, Fantasia audiences had the opportunity to see the world premiere of the Adams Family’s latest film, Where the Devil Roams. The film follows a murderous family, Maggie, Seven, and young Eve, as they travel with a dying carnival during the depression era. As they travel across the country, carrying out ghoulish crimes and bonding as a family, their luck finally runs out, and only drastic measures can keep the family together.

There are two things that really make the plot of Where the Devil Roams a compelling piece of horror. The first, and most vital to the story, is the relationship between the three family members. Throughout the film, audiences watch as the mother, Maggie, murders people, the daughter, Eve, photographs the bodies, and the husband, Seven, covers his eyes. By all accounts, society would consider these people horrible and evil. Yet the audience sees the love between them, as well as the love they feel for the other carnies. Even though their crimes are terrible, the victims are all rich men who turned their back on the plight of their struggling fellow man. It makes the family so endearing. You can’t help but root for them, no matter their crimes. The second compelling aspect is how the filmmakers incorporated the supernatural elements. A poem at the beginning of the film helps to establish the lore around Abaddon and the heart of the mortal woman he loved, which eventually finds its way into the hands of Eve. Just like with Eve, Maggie, and Seven, Abaddon’s tale is one that shows a devil in a more empathetic light while also adding a bit of magic. If anything, I wish the film had gone even deeper into the lore it created. It’s a wonderful, fresh mythos that not only adds to the heart of the family’s story, but also an actual human heart.

Just like with any Adams Family film, Where the Devil Roams stars the multi-talented family members. Zelda Adams (Hellbender, The Deeper You Dig) stars as Eve. Eve is entirely mute throughout the film, with the exception of the songs she performs with her family at the carnival. As always, Zelda Adams is wonderful at bringing this character to life, making the character seem timid and kindhearted, but with a bit of impish charm as she photographs corpses and cuts the limbs off of dolls. Toby Poser (Hellbender, The Deeper You Dig) plays Eve’s mother, Maggie. Of all the family members, Maggie is the most deadly as she annihilates rich men before spending quality time with the family. Poser makes it clear that Maggie is the family’s protector. She might not be the most educated, but she makes up for it with brawn and love. Then there is John Adams (Hellbender, The Deeper You Dig) as Eve’s father, Seven. Of the films I’ve seen John Adams perform in, this performance truly stands out. Much like Maggie, Seven has a lot of love for his family. Unlike Maggie, Seven has PTSD from being a medic in WWI, and the sight of blood sends him into a fit. John Adams excels at conveying the long term damage Seven’s time in the war did to his psyche. Of course, since these three are family in real life, making their chemistry lights up the screen with an authenticity that will make you wish you could be adopted by the Adams Family.

Audiences familiar with the Adams Family’s work will immediately recognize their signature style. There is a graininess and stark, somewhat colorless look that lends itself well to the era the film takes place in. The muted tones in Where the Devil Roams also give the practical effects a unique look. Blood and gore, while still being graphic, take on a more artistic appeal. The practically created gore is beautifully made, and the blood is so dark within the film’s color palette that it almost appears black. Because the film takes place during the Great Depression, the film also boasts wonderful costume design, perfect sets, and even an old-fashioned car from that era. Every visual aspect helps to transport the audience to a different period in time, right down to the end credits that look straight out of a black and white film from the 1930’s.

Where the Devil Roams is a fascinating depression era horror film telling a story of love and family during a time of bleakness. This world premiere marks another hit for the Adams Family, showcasing their distinctive flare both in visual style and original mythos. They clearly have an incredible knack for crafting films that incorporate familial bonds with more gruesome, supernatural horror. The Adams Family also all deliver great performances, bringing engaging characters to life and endearing them to the audience, even while carrying out horrific crimes.

OVERALL RATING: 8/10