The family we gather to watch in Family Portrait is struggling to find a sense of normalcy amidst the uncertainty of their lives. The film delves into the world of a family gathering, where the lines between reality and fantasy begin to blur. As Lucy Kerr’s debut feature, Family Portrait masterfully crafts a surreal horror atmosphere, aided by the exemplary sound design by Andrew Siedenburg and Nikolay Antonov. The film takes cues from other confident feature debuts, such as Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell and Skinamarink, and confidently builds upon their approaches.
The story revolves around Katy, played by Deragh Campbell, as she desperately tries to bring her family together for a photo shoot. As the family converses softly, the atmosphere becomes increasingly eerie, and it’s clear that something is amiss. But, as they go about their day, they seem to be ignoring the discomfort and unease, opting instead to cling to the idea of a happy family portrait.
The film takes a poignant swipe at the pandemic, touching on the ways in which we tend to numb ourselves to the pain and suffering around us. As the title card drops, the story becomes a haunting exploration of the disconnect between reality and our attempts to capture it. The film’s use of camera shots, capturing visually the chilling feeling, is seamless, refusing to hold our hand or spoon-feed us the narrative. Instead, it invites us to immerse ourselves in the world, to ponder the choices the characters make, and to feel the creeping sense of dread.
Deragh Campbell in Family Portrait Movie (Via Family Portrait)
As the story unfolds, Kerr takes bold leaps, shifting the narrative to create a sense of unease and disorientation. The film’s climax is both devastating and petrifying, culminating in a series of final shots that will leave you questioning what you’ve just witnessed. The conclusion is a work of haunting storytelling, one that will linger long after the credits roll.
In the end, Family Portrait is a masterclass in capturing the essence of the human experience, a film that will leave you rewinding the reels to make sense of it all. And, as the director so aptly puts it, “it’s a haunting experience. Whether you come up for air or retreat back into the woods, well, that’s another thing entirely.”
