THE WOMAN & OFFSPRING (2011/2009)

3 stars

Arrow Video. Limited Edition 4K UHD. 26th August

When I first saw THE WOMAN I wasn’t aware it was a sequel to OFFSPRING. Clearly the way Arrow have this release titled, they consider the former the better known film. There was also a sequel to THE WOMAN, not included in this set unfortunately, called DARLIN’ (2019) which was directed Pollyanna McIntosh.

Both are based on the work of Jack Ketchum and taking the films in chronological order, OFFSPRING was actually a follow up to the author’s debut novel “Off Season” (which hasn’t been adapted to the screen as yet).

The opening titles feature headlines and newspaper articles showing there are many missing people setting the scene.

We are introduced to David (Andrew Elvis Miller) who steps out onto his back porch and sees in the distance a strange looking, naked woman who turns and walks away. He checks on his wife Amy (Amy Halbard) and their baby daughter who are sleeping.

In an early shocking scene we meet (meat?) the cannibal “family” that are roaming the countryside – a young, drunk woman returns home to find blood on the floor. In her kitchen she is aghast to see her babysitter chopped up and three bloodied children, clearly responsible for the mayhem she is seeing… behind her another of these deadly folk raises a plastic bag containing her baby!

Seasoned ex-cop George Chandler (Art Hindle) is awoken by two local policemen who need his help. They take him to the gory murder scene in the kitchen – it appears to be similar to a series of killings from when he was still active.

Could it be connected to the rumoured feral group that live in the woods and are apparently the offspring of a lighthouse keeper that went missing in the 1800s. Now let me think…

Meanwhile David and Amy’s friend Claire (Ahna Tessler), and her son Luke (Tommy Nelson) come to visit and to get away from her abusive husband Stephen (Erick Castel), as they are getting a divorce. However, he is on his way there… but soon they are facing a bigger danger as the cannibals attack and much blood is shed.

Presumably in some way inspired by the legend of Sawney Bean, who was the head of a Scottish clan that killed hundreds of people in the 16th century, dragging them back to their cave to eat. If you are a fan of splatter then this doesn’t hold back on the red stuff. However this is at the expense of any real plot or explanation of the why and wherefores of this wandering bunch. The best thing here is Pollyanna McIntosh as “The Woman”, leader of the tribe. She would, of course, reprise the role in the better sequel.

And so to that film – a filthy, bedraggled woman by a river. It is The Woman character from the previous outing. In a cave she attacks an unseen wolf. She is badly wounded by the look of it.

Chris Clarke (Sean Bridges) is a small town lawyer who, whilst he seems like a nice guy, it is inferred early on that he treats his wife and three children poorly. We are about to find out just what a nasty type he is!

Out in the woods near his house for a hunt, he spies the woman in his crosshairs, bathing in the river and knifing a fish to eat. That night he returns home and takes his family to their barn and demands they clear it out. He is clearly a controlling presence and they do as he asks for fear of recriminations.

Later, he kidnaps the feral female and trusses her up in the outhouse. This begins a pattern of torturous violence with his captive giving as good as she gets. This is less a horror film and more some kind of sick, twisted exploration of abuse on both a large and small scale. It is certainly not an easy watch with McIntosh stunning in her central role. Your “enjoyment” (if that is the right word, which I suspect it isn’t) will depend on your tolerance of misogynistic brutality towards women. It is a difficult film to recommend as such.

The film looks great in 4K.

Steve Kirkham

EXTRAS

4 stars

DISC ONE – THE WOMAN (4K ULTRA HD BLU-RAY)

Four Audio commentaries (!) with director Lucky McKee, editor Zach Passero, sound designer Andrew Smetek and composer Sean Spillane/with star Pollyanna McIntosh/with critic Scott Weinberg/with director Lucky McKee

Dad on the Wall, a 75-minute fly-on-the-wall behind-the-scenes documentary filmed by the director’s father Mike McKee

Being Peggy Cleek, an interview with star Lauren Ashley Carter (19 mins)

Malam Domesticam, an archive making-of featurette from 2011 (25 mins)

Meet the Makers, six short archival featurettes on the making of the film made for cable channel Chiller

Frightfest Total Film Panel Discussion, a 2011 onstage chat about the future of American indie horror at the popular horror film festival, featuring Lucky McKee, Andrew van den Houten, Larry Fessenden, Adam Green, Joe Lynch and Ti West (44 mins)

Plus: Deleted scenes; ¡Mi Burro!, a short film by editor Zach Passero; “Distracted” music video by Sean Spillane; Theatrical trailers; Image galleries

DISC TWO – OFFSPRING (4K ULTRA HD BLU-RAY)

Audio commentary with director/producer Andrew van den Houten and digital colorist Matt McClain

Archive commentary with writer Jack Ketchum, director/producer Andrew van den Houten and producer/cinematographer William M. Miller

Interview with Pollyanna McIntosh and Andrew van den Houten – there’s a funny bit at the beginning where Houten’s phone goes off. They talk about originally wanting to do Off Season but rights were unavailable. McIntosh’s character and being offered the part. Making the movie etc (from 2019 – 14 mins)

Fly on the Wall, a behind-the-scenes documentary (from 2019 – 42 mins)

Meet Jack Ketchum (6 mins) interview with Ketchum from 2019

Progeny: The Birth of Offspring, an archive behind-the-scenes featurette including interviews with cast and crew – Ketchum, Andrew van den Houten, McIntosh, Holter Graham, Erick Castel, Ahna Tessler and others. From 2009 (20 mins)

First Stolen’s Bailout, an archive behind-the-scenes featurette (3 mins)

Plus: Restoration comparison (2 mins) Andrew Elvis Miller Audition comparison (1 min); Webisodes, short featurettes used to promote the film online (17 mins); Archive Easter Eggs; Theatrical trailer; Image gallery