Situated almost entirely in one bathroom where enigmatic happenings follow, family tensions slowly take shape in Sean King O’Grady’s feature film debut We Need To Do Something.
★★★✰✰
Fear on a psychological level is one of the scariest forms of horror to ever experience. We Need To Do Something is another entry in the psychological horror genre, but with an added dose of claustrophobia to heighten the tension even further. Based on a 2020 novella by Max Booth III, the film stars: Sierra McCormick (The Vast of Night) and Pat Healy (Cheap Thrills, The Innkeepers) in a family slowly deteriorating into madness after a storm traps them inside. As their seclusion persists, tensions begin to arise between the family as they gradually realise that a concealed secret from the daughter, Melissa (Sierra McCormick) may perhaps be the origin behind their entrapment.
Diverging from documentary filmmaking and producing, Sean King O’Grady makes his feature film debut with this adaptation. With a promising story along with a strong emphasis on the psychological, We Need To Do Something sounds like a thrilling debut just in time for Halloween. However, the end result showcases a moderately sufficient horror that is disappointingly bogged down by an uneven presentation.
With confinement-based narratives, what matters is how successfully a film can fully execute the concept through its feature-length duration. Several flashbacks are revealed to add context preceding moments prior to becoming trapped in the bathroom because of the tornado warning. While this can substantiate a more emotional connection, what is most critical is the happenings within the bathroom. When we are forced to witness the characters’ turmoil in this single location, it is where the film lands its feet.
Claustrophobia is undoubtedly the central theme of this film, and it is definitely the strongest aspect. By concentrating on this particular fear, characters are constrained to employ the most desperate instincts to survive. This is translated quite effectively through the compelling performances of the main family whose continuing dread feels authentic. One standout performance is Pat Healy as the father, Robert, who gradually transforms into the most unhinged family member. Healy succeeds in depicting a troubled figure that is confronted by his own insecurities through confinement.
We Need To Do Something gradually branches out to other forms of horror and, before long, what should have been the tight focus of entrapment anxiety suddenly resonates less effectively.
Although the film exhibits a fairly slow pace throughout, the major issue is the muddled presentation of some ideas. We Need To Do Something gradually branches out to other forms of horror and, before long, what should have been the tight focus of entrapment anxiety suddenly resonates less effectively. This is based on this undeveloped assortment of other horror concepts. By further relying on flashbacks and other forms of fear, it suffers in losing the fundamental claustrophobic approach.
Faults aside, it is certainly commendable that We Need to Do Something has the ambition to communicate different ideas. From a psychological horror standpoint, experimenting with unique horror qualities can benefit in increasing the fear of the unknown. However, it sadly falls short and weakens the impact. Principally, keeping the emphasis simpler would have heightened this as one of the best horror films this year.
The Verdict
Sean King O’Grady’s feature debut is an admirable but flawed film that boasts interesting concepts. Unfortunately, they serve as a detriment and derail a potentially powerful and terrifying narrative. We Need To Do Something will undeniably leave viewers guessing, but in a mixed way.
Words by Ethan Soffe
We Need to do Something is on digital now from Blue Finch Film Releasing
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