The family behind both The Deeper You Dig and Hellbender return to the festival circuit with their latest project, Where the Devil Roams. Once more written and directed by, and starring themselves, the Adams Family (John Adams, Toby Poser and Zelda Adams) have made their most ambitious production yet. Their previous two films have focussed almost solely on themselves; outside of their own characters there have been very few additional cast members. The locations have also been confined to in and around their own house. With Where the Devil Roams they level up on both of these fronts with a revolving door cast of supporting characters and a variety of new locales.
Set in the aftermath of World War I, Where the Devil Roams joins a travelling carnival during the trade’s dying days. Populated by all manner of talents and curiosities, the story focuses on a family living within the troupe. They are Eve (Zelda Adams), Maggie (Toby Poser) and Seven (John Adams). Each of the three are battling their own inner demons. Eve is unable to speak, Seven is battling intense PTSD from his time as a war medic, and Maggie struggles with murderous tendencies. All are happy with their nomadic existence and when that comes under threat, the trio do unspeakable acts to ensure its continuity.
Whilst many multi-hyphenates excel more in one arena than another, the Adams family are solid all-rounders. At no point does their focus shift from the wider picture and so the unit consistently creates compelling pieces of moving art. Of their more recent endeavours, Where the Devil Roams is perhaps the most abstract of their already loose narrative structure. Eve being the main vessel for the story, her inability to speak puts a strange spin on the story-telling method, and although there remains a recognisable plot, it is entwined with a heavier focus on visual cues.
Hellbender had an epic soundtrack provided by the Adams’ own band (also named Hellbender). Their music returns for Where the Devil Roams, once more providing haunting and rousing rocky riffs. Although clearly the same musicians, the style is less heavy on the grunge, the group expertly adjusting themselves to create music that complements both the tone and the narrative. In terms of sound itself, it is manipulated differently than in Hellbender, which was youthful and so the aural landscape was full of noise, reflecting the chaotic nature of the protagonist’s changes. Where the Devil Roams enjoys the silence. The film is littered with moments of extreme quiet, but this does not mean there is any less threat. The use of quieter scenes works to ensure that the moments of violence land with greater impact.
The characters themselves feel like the more adjusted ancestors of Rob Zombie’s Firefly clan. Though not as bloodthirsty as that family, Maggie is especially unafraid to bloody her hands to help her family. Eve is also willing to go to extreme lengths to achieve the family’s desire to be together always. Only Seven is less inclined to violence. In fact, since his war efforts, he can no longer stand the sight of blood and there is a running joke where Seven becomes blindfolded prior to blood being shed. Both Maggie and Eve want to preserve his innocence and it is this drive that ultimately takes the family down a dark path. As body parts begin to fly, Where the Devil Roams reveals its darkest heart, and its end moment will almost certainly sear itself into the mind’s eye.
Following a double-whammy of sheer excellence was always going to be a tough task, but the Adams’ have come out fighting. The result is a heady maelstrom of violence and wry humour. It doesn’t quite hit the perfection of Hellbender, but is still a laudable frightening time.
Where the Devil Roams
Summary
Another engaging slice of abstract horror from the most talented of filmmaker families.
Where the Devil Roams was reviewed at Fantasia International Film Festival. Where the Devil Roams will next screen at Pigeon Shrine FrightFest in August.
