We Need To Do Something (2021) Review

Now that Halloween is sadly behind us, high streets across the country are decorating their displays to remind us that Christmas is just around the corner. Mince pies, festive cheer and time with the family.

As much as we love them, even the most picture perfect family can struggle. We grin and bear it (usually through a haze of mulled wine) knowing that it will all be over soon for another year. Something about a family gathering creates the perfect environment for unresolved tension to boil over and arguments to ignite.

It’s why for some the idea of being stuck with family for an extended time is not always a welcome one. We Need To Do Something from Director Sean King O’Grady shows how an already strained situation can get much, much worse.

Based on the novella from Max Booth III, the film depicts a families increasing desperation as they find themselves trapped within their home. When a weather warning forces them to set up camp in their (oddly retro looking) bathroom to wait out the storm, they begin to fear there may be more to worry about than the impending tornado.

Trapped in the bathroom by debris with no way of escape, the family of four cycle through a range of emotions as they try to come to terms with their plight. With no way to call for help and a tree blocking their only exit, they are forced to survive any way they can.

Like many films that utilise minimal or a singular location, events are progressed through the interaction between the characters. Mum Diane (Vinessa Shaw – whom many may recognise as Allison from Hocus Pocus) tries to reassure her frightened son (John James Cronin) whilst teen Melissa (Sierra McCormick) disconnects, retreating within her own memories, The stress of the situation begins to eat at ill tempered Dad Robert (Pat Healy) first, and a bad situation quickly deescalates to an unbearable one.

The audience witnesses the range of emotions the family cycle through. From initial hope, to creeping fear, to utter desperation. It seems the feature will focus entirely on the dysfunction lurking within the family, with the dialogue sprinkled with just enough to make you think you can anticipate what is to come, but you would be very wrong.

The initially bleak tone takes a violent verve into the bizarre with an unexpected moment that sets the sense of surreal for the remainder. Even more unexpected is the voice cameo from none other than Ozzy Osborne.

The fear within the feature is built predominately on the unknown as we never actually see what lurks beyond. Keeping the audience in the dark throughout is an uncommon approach to film. This tack worked incredibly well with Josh Malerman’s novel ‘Birdbox’, but as many can attest to, didn’t translate to screen. We Need To Do Something is certainly more successful in building a sense of dread in this way.

We Need To Do Something does have a lot going for it although feels a little disjointed. Initially quite a slow burn, the sudden change of pace leaves parts of the film feeling rather unfinished, as though it can’t quite decide between subtlety or over the top insanity. Despite this, the cast deliver strong performances and there are enough moments to shock that will leave an impression.

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Trailer: