This Land Movie Review

Have I ever mentioned that I detest politics (and religion) as a general rule of thumb? I probably have at some point. It’s a subject that almost always tunes me out immediately…except in horror films. There is something about the malleable nature of horror storytelling that lends itself to political subtext rather wonderfully. From the darkest visions of The First Purge to the waking nightmare of Gigi Saul Guerrero’s Culture Shock, the soil of horror is rich and fertile.

This Land tells the story of the Owens’, a bi-racial family who have recently suffered an awful tragedy when the mother, Ava (Natalie Whittle; Starf*cker), is attacked by one seriously whacked-out intruder, losing her baby in the process. Her liberal husband, Neil (Adam Burch; 40 Days and Nights), takes Ava and her son, Dakota (Jerod Powers; Catfish Killer) to a cabin deep in the woods for some rest and relaxation. He wants them to heal as a family, and it might work except for the cabin being double-booked with another family! The Moss’ are as red state as it gets, and it isn’t long before former cop Grady (John J. Pistone; Another Time) and Neil are trading barbs, arguing about gun laws, and just generally disliking each other. It’s a story as American as apple pie and school shootings, but then a group of Aztec cultists shows up with crude stone knives and freaky masks, leaving the disparate families no longer at odds. Instead, they are now in a fight for their lives together whether they like it or not. God bless America!

Essentially two films in one, This Land spends the first hour or so settling in with these two families (after a strong opening) and giving you a reason to give a damn about them while keeping you on your toes and ready for something by using all the standard tension-building tricks. What drag there is is light and passes quickly and quietly. Tonally it’s barely a horror film in the first act, but you can feel the shit getting ready to go down. You’re waiting for the other shoe to drop, and it only enriches the conflict between House Owens and House Moss.

Once the titular shoe drops, the film becomes a full-on home invasion story and the violence and gore ratchet up significantly. This Land isn’t a bloodbath, but it isn’t screwing around either. The Aztec flavor and mythology of “The Flayed One” promised in the dark and disturbing opening credits comes out to play in full force, and while it certainly borrows some tropes from other home invasion flicks, This Land hits all its marks efficiently and with a surprisingly wicked sense of humor (stick around for a credits scene, too).

Everyone is perfectly cast for their parts. John J. Pistone as Grady is every “Back the Blue” type you’ve ever met, and Adam Burch typifies the soft liberal who isn’t actually all that soft with his portrayal of Neil. Natalie Whittle is believably traumatized but still tough as nails, making a well-paired opposite to Mindy Motavon’s boozy Barb. Still, it’s the kids who steal the show in This Land. Jerod Powers and Taylor Scorse have a nice natural spark. They also show Gen Z in a very positive light, which I really appreciated.

A complex film that’s equal parts home invasion horror, sociopolitical family drama, and visceral nightmare, This Land accomplishes the neat trick of balancing those elements with an overall deft hand. It doesn’t hurt either that it’s a good-looking film, extremely well shot with just enough visual flair in the camera work.

Political horror is a hard one to pull off, running the risk of coming across as either too preachy and agenda-driven or not probing enough. But when it finds the sweet spot in terms of both tone and balance (just the right amount of cringe, you might say), it’s enough to make you exclaim “God bless America!”.

Did I already say, “God bless America!”? Right. Well, this time I’m saying it much less facetiously.