Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick bring their real-life family into the spotlight with Family Movie, a horror-comedy that mixes slasher thrills with heartfelt family drama. Directed by Dan Beers, the film is both gory and goofy, offering audiences a bloody good time while exploring the complexities of showbiz families.
A Horror Send-Up With Heart
Bacon stars as Jack Smith, a struggling B-movie director whose latest low-budget project spirals out of control when a real killer emerges on set. Sedgwick plays Helen, his wife, who gleefully takes on more than just craft services duties when she slices through more than bread. Their daughter Sosie Bacon appears as Ula, while their son Travis Bacon contributes both a role and heavy-metal tracks to the soundtrack.
The film cleverly blurs the line between fiction and reality, with the family playing exaggerated versions of themselves. What begins as a parody of indie horror filmmaking evolves into a sharp commentary on family sacrifices, ambition, and creative tension.
Gore Meets Comedy
Family Movie doesn’t shy away from over-the-top kills, chaotic editing, and slapstick violence. From a gruesome woodchipper sequence to a bizarrely spliced dance number, the film embraces absurdity. Yet beneath the corn syrup blood lies genuine sweetness, especially in moments where family bonds clash with career aspirations.
Sedgwick shines as Helen, a housewife who sacrificed her acting career for her husband’s films. Her performance adds depth to Ula’s dilemma about leaving the shoot for a TV role. Meanwhile, Travis Bacon’s presence on set and in the soundtrack underscores the film’s meta-family dynamic.
A Personal Touch
The movie closes with home videos from school plays and concerts, reinforcing its theme of family collaboration. While some sequences feel clumsy or tacked on, the overall spirit of the film forgives its rough edges.
Final Verdict
Family Movie is far from polished, but its charm lies in its messy energy and heartfelt core. Bacon and Sedgwick prove that horror can be both bloody and bonding, delivering a film that’s as much about family as it is about fun.
