SXSW Film

Them

D: David Moreau and Xavier Palud; with Olivia Bonamy, Michaël Cohen

Set deep in the Romanian forest, Them is based on the true story of a couple tortured by mysterious creatures driven by a propensity for playtime. It's a classic slasher scenario: Girl meets boy in their isolated, under-construction manor; there are creaky floors, squeaking doors, and walls covered in plastic. The only difference between this dark film and those that came before is that Clementine (Bonamy), the Parisian teaching French in Romania, is the strong one. Anxiety-ridden and full of jumps, Them is the kind of movie where the woman next to you will turn and ask, "Why is she doing that?" The kind of movie where you know that's not what you would do if you were suddenly trapped in a creepy house in the middle of nowhere. No way. It's also the kind of movie that elicits the unanimous "oooooohhhh" at the grand finale. Just remember: This really happened. Or so we think.