There's Something Wrong with the Children (2023)

There’s Something Wrong with the Children takes a familiar “evil-kid” setup and makes it feel freshly unnerving, largely because Roxanne Benjamin directs with a sly, confident rhythm that keeps the dread moving and the tension tightening. The movie’s real hook isn’t just what might be happening in the woods, but how quickly a relaxed friends’ getaway curdles into suspicion and denial, with Zach Gilford and Alisha Wainwright grounding the supernatural unease in recognizably human panic. It’s brisk, twisty, and mean in the best horror-mystery way, the kind of film that knows exactly when to tease and when to pounce without overstaying its welcome. If you prefer slow-burn atmospherics or subtle, ambiguous chills, this one may feel more like a sharp genre ride—but if you want a tightly paced weekend-from-hell thriller that plays its premise with wicked energy, it’s an easy recommendation.

There’s Something Wrong with the Children is clearly aiming for a slow-burn, paranoia-soaked “are the kids possessed or is the adult losing it?” weekend-from-hell, and the setup is genuinely creepy on paper. The problem is it takes its sweet time getting anywhere, and when it does, the beats feel a little too familiar and oddly muted for a movie built around escalating dread and child menace. The performances (especially Zach Gilford) do some heavy lifting, and there are a few unsettling moments, but the writing and pacing don’t fully cash the check the premise writes. If you like low-key, moody horror that coasts on atmosphere you might be fine, but if you want sharp twists, distinctive mythology, or a consistently tense ride, this may feel bland and uneven.