EP 14: GOODNIGHT MOMMY (2014) vs. HEAD OF THE FAMILY ('96)
This episode, we’re keeping it “All in the Family!”
First up is the Austrian film GOODNIGHT MOMMY (2014), a harrowing tale of tense mother-child mistrust gone horribly wrong, which makes it the perfect companion piece to cult legend Charles Band's mutant-family melee, HEAD OF THE FAMILY (1996)!
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Host: Nate Wyckoff
Panelists: Jeff Tucker, Tad Mastroianni & Amanda Longley
More on GOODNIGHT MOMMY (2014):
Goodnight Mommy is a chilling psychological horror film that takes viewers on a suspenseful and unsettling journey. Directed by Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala, this Austrian film was released in 2014 and quickly gained international acclaim for its atmospheric tension and thought-provoking narrative.
Set in a remote countryside location, the story revolves around two young twin brothers, Elias and Lukas, played by real-life twin brothers Elias Schwarz and Lukas Schwarz. The film opens with the boys eagerly awaiting the return of their mother (Susanne Wuest) after undergoing facial surgery, leaving her face wrapped in bandages.
However, as the mother returns home, the twins begin to notice peculiar changes in her behavior. She becomes distant, cold, and appears to show little affection towards them. To add to the unease, the mother enforces strict rules regarding the boys' behavior and limits their interactions with the outside world.
As the twins become increasingly suspicious of their mother's identity, they start to question whether the woman behind the bandages is their real mother. This doubt leads them to uncover a hidden truth buried within their home. Fueled by their growing fear and paranoia, the boys resort to extreme measures to uncover the truth, often resorting to brutal and violent methods.
Goodnight Mommy expertly navigates themes of perception, loss, and the blurred lines between reality and imagination. With its haunting visuals, slow-burning tension, and minimalist approach, the film maintains a suffocating atmosphere throughout, leaving viewers on edge from start to finish.
The movie's chilling twist and ambiguous conclusion leave room for interpretation, inviting audiences to question the nature of identity, trauma, and the destructive power of the human mind.
More on "HEAD OF THE FAMILY (1996):
Head of the Family, directed by Charles Band, is an offbeat horror-comedy that falls into the category of cult films due to its unique blend of dark humor and bizarre storyline. Released in 1996, this low-budget gem takes viewers on a wild and unconventional ride through the twisted lives of the Stackpools, a dysfunctional family with a dark secret.
The Stackpool family consists of Myron, the towering and deformed yet intellectually gifted "head" of the family, and his three incredibly strange siblings: the seductive manipulator Ernestina, the brute and simpleton Wheeler, and the telekinetic beauty-headed teenager named Loretta. Together, they form a claustrophobic and creepy quartet, who rule their small town with an iron fist.
The film kicks off with ambitious local businessman Lance, who plans to marry the beautiful Loretta to secure her family's inheritance. However, Myron and his eccentric siblings have other plans. They soon reveal themselves as cunning, yet sinister individuals, controlling the lives of everyone around them.
As the story unfolds, a series of unexpected and darkly humorous events occur, keeping the audience simultaneously entertained and disturbed. The Stackpools resort to murder, deceit, and manipulation to maintain their tight-knit grip on power, leaving behind a trail of odd, and often grotesque, situations.
Director Charles Band manages to inject a playful and twisted sense of humor into the film, creating an atmosphere that is both unsettling and darkly comedic. With over-the-top performances and outrageous scenarios, Head of the Family defies reality, embracing its campy nature with gusto.
While Head of the Family may not have achieved mainstream success upon release, it has since gained a dedicated cult following for its unconventional story and memorable characters. By blending elements of horror, comedy, and romance in a unique and bizarre fashion, the film has carved out its own distinct niche in the world of cult cinema.