Jan. 17, 2023|USA|92 Min.|Not Rated
Genre: Horror;Mystery;Thriller
Description: The film “There’s Something Wrong with the Children” (2023) explores the story of Ben, who struggles with mental health issues and relies on mood stabilizers to manage his daily life. Margaret informs Ellie that Ben has lost another job and is facing difficulties, which creates an uneasy atmosphere around him. The women in the film try not to judge him, but their discomfort is evident. This tension escalates when the children begin exhibiting bizarre and violent behavior. Ben witnesses one child drugging a parent’s drink and making stabbing gestures, but when he points it out, the children act as if they were merely playing, leaving others skeptical of his claims. Despite Ben’s accurate observations, the stigma surrounding mental health conditions overshadows his credibility.
The movie highlights the ongoing challenge of destigmatizing mental health issues, even in a society that has become more open to discussing them. It portrays Ben as a functional adult with a job, relationships, and friendships, yet his struggles impact various aspects of his life. The film emphasizes the unfair prejudice that arises from his need for mood stabilizers, as people often associate medication or mental health conditions with unreliability or dishonesty. This misconception persists despite no evidence linking mental health challenges to deceitfulness. Ultimately, the story reveals that Ben’s claims about the children were true, as they turn against the adults, proving his observations correct.
Cast director: Roxanne Benjamin
Cast actor: Zach Gilford, Alisha Wainwright, Amanda Crew, Carlos Santos, Briella Guiza, David Mattle
Original name: There’s Something Wrong with the Children