A horror drama, ‘Family Dinner’ follows Simone (Simi) an overweight teenager seeking help to manage her weight as she visits with her aunt Claudia leading up to Easter. Settling in with the family, Simi soon learns that her aunt has an unorthodox approach to the celebration.
On arriving at the rural farmhouse, Simi is welcomed by Claudia and shown to her room, - one to be shared with her cousin Filipp. On settling in, Claudia asks to confirm that Simi does not intend to stay for Easter Sunday, citing it to be a very important and private family affair.
Gathering for dinner that night, Simi learns that Claudia and her new husband Stefan are fasting for lent, with Filipp and Simi being the only two eating. The following day, tension grows between Simi and Filipp as Simi witnesses Claudia’s overbearing attitude towards him.
Mustering up the courage, Simi asks Claudia to help her with her weight, as Claudia is an accomplished author on diet and nutrition. Claudia agrees to take Simi on as her pupil, warning that she will drop out if she feels Simi is not taking it seriously.
After a day of hunting, Stefan and Simi bond as they skin a rabbit Filipp had shot, but was not able to kill, with Simi slitting the animals throat to not let it suffer. At dinner, Simi asks Claudia if she can eat, as she has been fasting for the diet. Encouraging her to eat from his plate, Filipp is struck by Claudia.
Further realising Stefan and Claudia may be a threat and that Filipp is afraid, Simi hatches a plan with Filipp to escape. The following morning she finds Filipp gone, apparently back to Vienna with his father.
Deciding not to try to go back home, Simi awaits Easter Sunday with Claudia and Stefan. On sitting down to Easter dinner, the trio break their fast and gorge themselves on a roast prepared by Claudia. Unable to rest that night, Simi reviews the text exchange she has had with Filipp. Realising it may not have been him, she goes looking for her cousin. Simi comes across Filipp’s dismembered body in the shed. Embraced by Stefan, Simi breaks down in realising the family had feasted on him.
Trying to escape, Simi stabs Stefan and runs to the woods. There, she is chased down by Claudia by the bonfire set up for Easter Sunday. Without hesitating, Simi sets Claudia on fire. In walking towards Stefan as he bleeds out, she refuses the gun he hands her to put him out of his misery.
Dreary and hushed, ‘Family Dinner’ forms part of the atmospheric contingent of psychological horror films. Findings its voice though the calm and composed Simi (Nina Katlein), the film delivers a slow yet impactful journey with an increasingly tense atmosphere, initially serving as a relatable awkward family gathering that transforms into a much more sinister affair.
The film delivers an unexpectedly pensive contemplation on body image and the urge to make a change. Through Simi, who arrives at Claudia’s for a request to be guided in appropriate diet and nutrition, Peter Hengl has managed to convey a positive approach towards people wanting to make a change, approaching the subject matter in a thoughtful and caring manner, expressing Simi’s thoughts on the matter and not feeling the need to justify why she wants to make the changes that she does, reinforcing the notion that her decision to make a change is not contingent on what others may think or how they view her. Showing strength of character and the difficult journey Simi has chosen to go on, ‘Family Dinner’ supports individuals in trying to make a change without coming off as patronising.
Undoubtedly hosting sinister undertones, the film also delivers on an ever-present sense of unease. On opening, the film is clear in establishing a hidden darkness in Claudia’s home, but it does not rush to reveal the danger that is lurking in the shadows and who is at risk.
The tension between Filipp and Simi effectively hinders the viewer from uncovering the root of Filipp’s vexation, with Claudia doubling down on the boy’s allegedly unstable emotional state. Played beautifully by Pia Hierzegger, the character of Claudia manipulates those around her, making Simi believe her son is mentally unwell and coercing Stefan (Michael Pink) into going along with her plans. Initially also led to believe that Stefan had been the threat to Filipp, once Claudia reveals her true self in front of Simi, the film manages to affirm previous suspicions and marks Claudia as the ultimate terror.
Even though the film raises a number of though provoking and weighty issues and manages to maintain an intense level of suspense for the majority of its duration, - the third act somehow falters. In successfully keeping the viewers in the dark for the majority of its runtime, ‘Family Dinner’ reveals too much before its gruesome conclusion, cradling the viewer just as Stefan cradles Simi in accepting what had transpired acknowledging that she was already aware of what had happened. Deflating the tension and concluding with a chase scene, ‘Family Dinner’ provides for an intriguing if ultimately subdued contemporary psychological horror piece.
Score: 2/4
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