Watch The Children

The Children is a horror movie directed by Tom Shankland and released in 2008. It stars Eva Birthistle, Stephen Campbell Moore, and Jeremy Sheffield. The movie is about a family that goes on a Christmas vacation to a remote cottage in the English countryside, where they soon realize that something strange is happening to their children.

The movie starts with a group of friends driving to the cottage for their Christmas vacation. The friends are two families: the Mayers and the Howards. The Mayers consist of Elaine, a writer, her husband Rob, and their two children Nick and Leah. The Howards have their daughters, Casey and Miranda, and Jonathon, Simon's teenage son from his previous marriage.

The opening scenes are idyllic, showing the children playing in the snow and the adults relaxing in front of the fire. Everyone is happy and excited to be on vacation. However, things soon take a dark turn when the children start getting sick. Casey gets a nosebleed while playing outside, and Nick starts coughing after playing with her in the snow. Miranda seems to be fine, but Casey becomes increasingly unwell.

As the movie progresses, the children's behavior becomes more and more erratic. It starts with small things like Casey refusing to eat her vegetables and Nick throwing a tantrum, but it soon escalates to violent outbursts and attacks. The adults in the group are confused and alarmed by what is happening to the children, but they remain in denial, assuming that it's just a temporary illness that will pass.

The tension in the movie builds slowly, with the adults gradually realizing that their children are not just sick, but something truly terrifying is happening to them. The children, on the other hand, seem to be enjoying their newfound power and are determined to protect each other at all costs. The adults are increasingly scared and desperate, unsure what to do or how to protect themselves.

One of the strengths of The Children is the way it uses the setting to increase the tension. The remote cottage, surrounded by snow and ice, is a perfect location for a horror movie. The isolation of the family adds to the sense of dread, and the snow creates an eerie silence that is only disturbed by the screams and cries of the children. The cinematography is excellent, with the camera frequently lingering on the desolate landscape or focusing on the eerie, snow-covered trees.

The acting is also exceptional, with each actor bringing depth and nuance to their portrayal of the increasingly desperate adults. Eva Birthistle is impressive as Elaine, a writer who is torn between her maternal instincts and her desire to understand what is happening to her children. Stephen Campbell Moore is equally excellent as Rob, who is more willing to believe that something sinister is happening but is unsure how to fight it.

The Children is a gripping and disturbing horror movie that will keep you on the edge of your seat. It is not for the faint-hearted, with scenes of violence and gore that are both shocking and terrifying. The ending is satisfying, providing closure to the story while still leaving the audience with a sense of unease.

Overall, if you are a fan of horror movies, The Children is a must-see. It is a masterfully crafted film that uses its setting, cinematography, and acting to create a terrifying and unforgettable experience. It is a movie that will make you think twice before you spend a snowy Christmas vacation in a remote cottage.

The Children is a 2008 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 25 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.9.