Rich C
Film didn't quite get there for me.
Rated 2/5 Stars •
Rated 2 out of 5 stars
07/12/25
Full Review
Bridgette D
A great film. It flows at a great pace. Not too fast not too slow. The build is nice. You can also pull great commentary on the foster care system and how some people treat youth (not trying to get too political)
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
07/06/25
Full Review
REALTOR R
A Film of Promising Intrigue That Collapses Under Its Own Plot Holes
To put it kindly, Destry Spielberg directorial debut shows glimmers of potential — and there's hope the director will grow with future projects. That said, while it might sound cliché to suggest this opportunity came more from familial connections than storytelling merit, the film itself doesn’t do much to argue against that idea.
It starts off strong, intriguingly so. The first half keeps a firm grip on your curiosity, hinting at a larger mystery, a dystopian world, and some sort of suppressed sci-fi horror lurking beneath the surface. But that intrigue slowly unravels into a confusing, sometimes frustrating mess, where logic gives way to aesthetic and undercooked twists.
One of the film’s biggest issues is its lack of a clear protagonist. None of the characters are particularly relatable — in fact, most are downright unlikeable — leaving the audience with no emotional anchor. The lead actress, playing Mary, often seems unsure of how to carry the emotional weight of the scenes. Her reactions frequently feel mismatched with the gravity of the situation, which saps tension and creates a jarring sense of detachment.
Ironically, it’s the antagonist who steals the show. Michelle Dockery (of Downton Abbey and Hogfather fame) plays Clara with chilling charisma and unsettling control. Her performance is compelling and easily the film’s most watchable element. If there's any reason to see this film through to the end, it's to watch her work.
The story teases a dystopian zombie subplot that remains frustratingly underdeveloped. It’s hinted at throughout, then tossed in at the last minute like a twist that forgot to be written. Rather than adding depth, it only widens the already gaping plot holes — like a half-baked sci-fi garnish added in post-production. “Spielbergish” in concept, but none of the finesse.
And then come the logic-defying choices — numerous enough to pull even the most forgiving viewer out of the experience. A few standout examples:
The children dig an escape tunnel in the attic but after it's discovered — and the little girl is punished with a shock collar — Clara assumes they will stay in the same room voluntarily? No extra precautions are taken, and they just accept their captivity?
Clara falls asleep with her keys (and likely her rifle) beside her. A child grabs only the keys… to go burn down the greenhouse? Not to escape. Not to take the gun. Not to crack her skull with a frying pan. Just… fire and chaos?
Guns are treated inconsistently. Early on, children are shown handling a firearm casually — one even shoots a convenience store clerk. But later, when weapons are available during life-or-death moments, they’re completely ignored. No attempt is made to defend themselves, even grabbing a butcher knife from a kitchen drawer. In one scene, a character stabs Clara in the side — but instead of following through or taking her gun, they just… run.
Mary at one point drugs Clara’s tea with a sleeping agent — presumably the same one Clara used on the children earlier, which left them unconscious for hours and relocated, some even with their clothes changed. Clara, however, collapses for all of five minutes, then leaps up and sprints upstairs. Why? Because instead of freeing the children first, Mary decides to search the barn for a car… based solely on a photo on the mantelpiece. Restraining or tying up Clara? Nope. Not in this world.
These moments break immersion and test patience. The characters' choices feel like they exist solely to advance the plot — not because they make sense within the world or align with the characters’ goals or personalities. A stockholm syndrome sub-plot could have been easily developed and it was anticipated with how much film was wasted to show Clara and Mary building rapport, never happened. The film sacrifices coherence for mood, and it just doesn't work.
Verdict:
This film might appeal to viewers who enjoy puzzling through plot holes and speculative "what ifs," but for most, it will likely feel like a missed opportunity. There’s the skeleton of a great story buried in here. but it’s bogged down by weak character development, tonal inconsistency, and a series of frustrating, logic-defying choices. Intriguing at first, but ultimately unsatisfying.
Rated 1.5/5 Stars •
Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars
07/05/25
Full Review
BRizz 2
Let’s be honest—Tubi has a bit of a reputation when it comes to original thrillers. They’re often riddled with poor direction, sloppy writing, and questionable acting. But Please Don’t Feed the Children completely defied my expectations.
From the start, this thriller stands out with a surprisingly strong ensemble cast. Each character is distinct, and the film takes its time to build their personalities, giving the audience room to connect, empathize—or absolutely despise them. The writing is sharper than expected, never reaching perfection, but certainly landing above average for the genre and platform.
What really anchors the film is its villain. Genuinely unsettling and eerily realistic, she brings a level of grounded horror that makes the threat feel terrifyingly plausible. The tension is palpable throughout, and the unpredictable narrative keeps you guessing: Who will survive? Who won’t?
While the production values reflect its streaming origins, this movie could’ve easily held its own with a limited theatrical release. It’s that engaging.
No, it’s not a flawless film. But Please Don’t Feed the Children is far from a throwaway streaming title. It’s a chilling, well-acted, and refreshingly watchable thriller that’s absolutely worth your time—and maybe even a rewatch.
Final Verdict:
✅ Surprisingly solid
🍿 Great for a late-night horror fix
🎯 Perfect for fans of psychological thrillers and survival suspense
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
07/03/25
Full Review
David G
I was surprised at how good this movie is. There's a real twist here--I wasn't expecting that crazy lady nor her husband. Plus there's also some humanity in the movie. Looking forward to more movies from Stella Spielberg. "Please Don't Feed the Children" exceeded my expectations.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
07/03/25
Full Review
J V
Watchable. I watched out of Spielberg curiosity. Hopefully Destry starts getting more experience and makes more movies.
Rated 2.5/5 Stars •
Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars
07/02/25
Full Review
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