A chilling folk horror film that has achieved a rare and perfect critical score is now available for UK audiences to stream at no cost. 'Where the Devil Roams' holds a flawless 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and has just landed on the free streaming service Tubi, offering a haunting cinematic experience.
A Family's Dark Vision Earns Critical Acclaim
Created by the real-life filmmaking collective known as the Adams family, Where the Devil Roams represents a bold step in independent horror. The film, which won the 2023 Best Motion Picture award from New Visions, is the work of partners John Adams and Toby Poser alongside their daughters Zelda and Lulu. This family not only writes and directs together but also stars in, shoots, and scores their projects, resulting in a uniquely cohesive and personal vision.
Set against the bleak backdrop of America's Great Depression, the story follows a family of travelling carnival performers struggling to survive. The narrative centres on three sisters, each with a disturbing fixation on objects like scissors and hammers. Eve, one of the sisters, uses her vocal talents on stage to earn money, but a violent undercurrent threatens to destroy their fragile world.
A Descent into Supernatural Terror
The plot takes a dark turn when the family is abandoned, leading Eve to acquire sinister supernatural powers from a mysterious dealer. This pact sets the stage for the Devil's own machinations to unfold. Critics have praised the film's stunning visual style and unsettling atmosphere. Reviewer Rocco T. Thompson described it as a "homespun tale set in a frostbitten world of backwater sideshows that loses colour throughout its runtime like blood draining from a neglected wound."
The Adams family's approach is noted for its lyrical, almost musical quality, with Where the Devil Roams being called their most experimental and fluidly musical work to date. It has been characterised as a chilling family parable that fuses elements of folk and metal, drawing comparisons to classics like Nightmare Alley and Frankenstein.
An Ending That Leaves a Lasting Mark
It is the film's conclusion, however, that has truly captivated and unsettled viewers. Fans have taken to social media and review platforms to express their admiration for the shocking finale. One viewer remarked, "Sometimes you venture into a film with zero expectations, and emerge floored by what you have just witnessed. You didn't see it coming and are grateful for having been so pleasantly blindsided."
Another praised the family's all-encompassing method: "They all act in their movies, they write the scripts together... they take turns operating the camera, they build the sets, they write and perform the music, they edit the films; there seems to be no part of production they aren't intimately involved with." This collaborative spirit is seen as key to the film's distinctive and powerful impact.
For horror enthusiasts in the UK seeking a visually striking and narratively daring experience, Where the Devil Roams is now streaming for free on Tubi, offering a chance to see the film that has left critics and audiences alike deeply impressed.
