Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick’s latest venture, the meta comedy horror Family Movie, made a significant splash at its SXSW Festival premiere. Enthusiastic audiences were treated to this unique blend of humor and horror, which captured massive laughs and applause. The project is a true family affair, with Bacon and Sedgwick collaborating with their children, Sosie and Travis Bacon, to create a film that is both engaging and entertaining.
The Debut That Turned Heads
The premiere of Family Movie took place on a fitting date—Friday the 13th—adding an extra layer of intrigue to its debut. Kevin Bacon commented during the event’s Q&A, “All of us love horror. Coincidentally, I was in the original ‘Friday the 13th,’ it is Friday the 13th,” highlighting the serendipitous timing. This synergy between the film’s theme and its premiere date contributed to the lively reception.
A Meta Family Tale
Running at just 1 hour and 21 minutes, Family Movie is an intriguing case of life mirroring art, minus the chilling consequences. The Bacon family, known for posting candid videos from their New England farm, plays a family filming an indie horror movie on a farm. This meta element adds a charming authenticity to the narrative. Although their actual farm is in New England, the film was shot outside Austin, Texas, offering a fresh setting for the story.
Star-Studded Cast and Unique Filming
The film boasts a talented ensemble including John Carroll Lynch, Jackie Earle Haley, Liza Koshy, Andrea Savage, Austin Amelio, Scoot McNairy, and Nathaniel Woolsey. Liza Koshy, reflecting on joining the cast, humorously noted the real-life similarities, “They do live on a farm, they are that warm and welcoming.” Her character witnesses a murder while filming the filmmaking process on her phone, with all footage captured by Koshy herself on a Google Pixel.
Musical Contributions and Family Touches
Travis Bacon, both a musician and actor, composed the score for Family Movie, adding another layer of authenticity to the project. Currently in search of a distributor, the film extends its familial charm through the credits, featuring home videos from the Bacon family over the years, capturing moments from the births of Travis and Sosie to pandemic dance sessions.
Family Movie stands as a testament to the creative synergy of the Bacon clan, blending horror, comedy, and a touch of reality to create a movie that resonates with audiences both as a cinematic experience and a heartfelt family project.
