By Connie Lee - October 7, 2024
As the debut feature film from Joshua Morgan, Children of the Pines puts a unique spin on the meaning of ‘nothing is more important than family.’ It stands out within the horror genre because instead of relying on intense blood and gore, Children of the Pines uses purely emotional violence, making use of slow, psychological tension to drive its story. And because of this, to some, it may not even feel like horror at all (which might add or take away from it depending on your preferences). It’s eerie and provocative, effectively blurs the lines between familial love and generational trauma, and will leave viewers disturbed and captivated.
Within a few minutes of the opening, it’s obvious that the supernatural subplot is supposed to play a significant role. But, this proves to be the film’s weakness as it becomes messy and disjointed, eventually falls into the background, and is completely forgotten. What we’re left with completely contrasts with the rest of the film and just feels confusing and odd. But, ultimately, it’s to the film’s benefit that these elements don’t work because it prevented it from falling victim to the same mediocrities as other recent cult and supernatural horror films. There’s already so much about conjuring dark creatures and magic that have been in 2024 alone, so it was refreshing not to have those themes entirely reiterated here.
The true horror comes from how effortlessly the invasiveness and vulnerability of family trauma are portrayed. The deep-rooted emotional issues within Riley’s family dynamics are more visceral than cerebral, making them ultra-realistic and raw, and taps into fears of unresolved pain and love that many can relate to. They remind us how damaging emotional entanglements can be, especially when they stem from those who we’re supposed to trust, and that there sometimes is no better escape than running away as far as possible. More than once, I found myself having to step away from this weightiness to take a quick breather before diving in for more. `
Initially, the script felt quite heavy-handed and exhaustive. But it finds its footing, working in sync with the tense visuals and surreal atmosphere, resulting in something lyrical and bizarre. And, I can state this with 100% confidence: Children of the Pines is a rarity that would benefit from being turned into a novel. With other horror films, it’s hard to imagine their content translating well on paper. But thanks to Morgan’s meticulousness and fantastic eye for poignancy in his writing, Riley’s journey is addicting and leaves us hungry. Her story is the kind that would be just as powerful (if not more) in a book where more elaboration could happen, and it’d stay and haunt you for years to come.
There’s nostalgia and familiarity to Children of the Pines that feels unintentional but adds warmth to an otherwise very cold and bleak story. Ironically, it feels like something that would be played on prime-time television, bringing families happily together to check out the latest TV Guide recommendation. Its ability to feel reminiscent of a bonding experience but so isolating at the same time reinforces how distinct it is and that its true impression lies far beneath its surface.
After watching Children of the Pines, it’s easy to see how it’s already won several awards, including Best Feature at Ice Cinefest and Best Thriller at Indo-French Film Festival. It's impeccable work and shows that Joshua Morgan is a talent to keep your eyes on. He’s already proven he has a poetic touch that will be hard to emulate, and it’ll be exciting to see how he evolves his style further.
Children of the Pines releases on digital platforms October 18
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