Running Time: 91 Minutes
Starring: James Austin Kerr, Lorraine Bracco, Alfonso Caballero, Christine Spang, Kellan Tetlow, Leah Remini
The latest work from director Jon Salmon (Dude Bro Party Massacre III), The Mother, the Menacer, and Me opens on a street where a woman confronts somebody who she does not recognise - a mask-wearing figure dressed in a black robe. The scene grows sinister as the figure moves closer with apparent menace, but any tension vanishes when the figure trips over. As it turns out, this is actually a scene being filmed for an independent horror movie, the brainchild of aspiring horror filmmaker Eddie Mathews (James Austin Kerr).
The information soon comes fast and thick, filling viewers in with the details of these protagonists. Financial struggles have resulting in Eddie, his pregnant wife Anna (Christine Spang), and their son moving into the house of his mother-in-law, Nancy (Lorraine Braco). Despite the circumstances, Eddie is unwilling to give up on his dream of making a dark comedy following a vigilante who kills Karen's. Despite his mother-in-law's disapproval over the dream, the wannabe filmmaker is urged on by his supportive wife, a son who is proud of him, and an imaginary version of his vigilante, The Menacer.
Let us get this out of the way, there are few attempts within this film to break the mould. What screenwriters Chris Carvalho and Chris Plaushin have crafted takes a comedy approach to filmmaking, although it can feel slight while one wishes there were stronger laughs within. Yet, there is a warmth within this sweet natured work that comes from an unashamed love for the horror genre, capturing a love for filmmaking despite how the business can break one's spirit.
Central to this story is Eddie, a dreamer who wishes to make a film worth submitting to film festivals, complete with a one-of-a-kind signature kill. Aided by the support of his wife, the admiration of his son, and the help of his best friend, Eddie aspires to achieve his dream now so that he can focus on supporting his growing family afterwards. While tensions arise from his disapproving mother-in-law, who repeatedly brings up her preferred choice for a son-in-law, the performances effectively capture tensions and a clear understanding between the characters. No matter how much they disagree, there is a believable heart to these protagonists.
The truly fascinating choice is how achieving your dream can be nothing like one imagines. You may reach your long-held goal, but this does not magically solve your problems. Regardless of how deeply one loves their passions, it can be tested by a reality of algorithmic developments which serve to butcher your hard-earned work. In the end, our purpose may not be what we built up in our heads, but instead something less grand and more personal. The Mother, the Menacer, and Me is a charming surprise.
The Mother, The Menacer, and Me played at SoHome Horror Fest 2025
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