“We Are What We Are” (2013) stars Bill Sage, Julia Garner, Ambyr Childers, Kelly McGillis, Wyatt Russell and Michael Parks / Z-View

We Are What We Are (2013)

Director: Jim Mickle

Screenplay:  Nick Damici, Jim Mickle; based on the film We Are What We Are written and directed by Jorge Michel Grau

Stars:  Bill Sage, Julia Garner, Ambyr Childers, Kelly McGillis, Wyatt Russell and Michael Parks.

Tagline: Blood is the strongest bond.

The Plot…

The Parker family, Frank, his wife Emma, and their three children, Iris, Rose and Rory are a sternly religious family that stays to themselves in their remote mountain home. The family is currently fasting until the date of their annual ritual.  When Emma dies unexpectedly while in town, Frank sends Iris and Rose to claim her body.  They return home empty-handed.  An autopsy is required by the state.

Frank says that Iris and Rose will need to take on their mother’s duties for their family’s upcoming religious ceremony.  Meanwhile the town doctor has made a surprising disovery while conducting Emma’s autopsy.

Could the doctor’s discovery have a connection to the human bones found in the mountain creek… and his missing daughter?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Julia Garner was still a few years away from her breakthough role in Ozark.

Michael Parks is always good.  This role is no exception.

The last scenes go a bit over the top for my, uh, taste.

We Are What We Are (2013) rates 2 of 5 stars.