Overview

We Are What We Are is a 2013 horror and thriller film directed by Jim Mickle. It is an English-language remake of a 2010 Mexican movie and reinterprets the original story for a rural American setting. The film follows a reclusive family whose private rituals and routines come under strain when circumstances force a change in leadership and responsibility.

Plot and characters

The narrative focuses on two adolescent sisters who must assume adult duties after a family crisis. The household keeps to itself and presents an outwardly ordinary appearance, but the film gradually reveals the disturbing traditions that bind them. The sisters—often identified in discussion as Iris and Rose—are central to the story: their choices and loyalties drive the moral core of the drama. Supporting roles include established and emerging actors; among the cast is Kelly McGillis, who appears in a key community role.

The screenplay emphasizes atmosphere and the slow unraveling of the family’s routines rather than constant spectacle. A severe rainstorm and escalating scrutiny from neighbors and authorities create pressure that exposes long-suppressed behavior and forces the characters to confront competing demands of survival, secrecy, and conscience.

Production, origins and style

The film is explicitly adapted from an earlier Mexican work, transplanted to a northeastern U.S. locale to explore similar themes in a different cultural landscape. Director Jim Mickle is known for deliberate pacing and a focus on mood; this production uses muted cinematography, careful sound design, and restrained editing to build tension. Rather than relying on jump scares, the movie favors a creeping dread that culminates in stark, sometimes graphic moments.

Themes, reception and rating

Major themes include family obligation, ritual, secrecy, and the moral cost of survival. Critics generally noted the film’s strong atmosphere and performances while remarking on its unflinching handling of disturbing material. The Motion Picture Association assigned an R rating for disturbing violence and nudity; viewers are frequently advised to approach the film prepared for unsettling imagery and mature subject matter.

  • Key elements: slow-burn tension, family drama, ritual and secrecy.
  • Notable fact: it is a U.S. remake of a 2010 Mexican film that explored similar themes.
  • Viewing note: content may be challenging—suitable for mature audiences.

As a compact, mood-driven horror-thriller, We Are What We Are is often discussed in the context of films that favor character and atmosphere over overt gore. Its remake status invites comparison with the original, and viewers and scholars interested in adaptations and cultural transposition find it a useful case study in how a story changes when moved between countries and sensibilities.