The possibility of a perilous post-apocalyptic predicament persistently pushes people’s perceptions. In We Need to Do Something a dysfunctional family of four seeks safety from a disastrous storm in their bathroom. Things get desperate, they get trapped inside. It’s a twisted tale of survival as an undetermined amount of time lapses while trying to escape with their lives as the days bleed into weeks. They wonder what exactly is going on outside? How will they survive inside? And why hasn’t anyone come to help?

The entire cast of We Need to Do Something conveys the desperation of the circumstances adequately. The well-rounded characters kept me invested. Sierra McCormick plays the disenfranchised teenage daughter Melissa with the profundity of a multitude of emotions exhibiting her versatility. Flashbacks slowly reveal her troubled past giving her empathic dimensions. Vinessa Shaw is Diane, a strong-willed mother determined to do what’s best for her children. Sensibly decisive, she assists with problem-solving solutions, encouraging them to persevere. She also deals with her marriage problems, further complicating their debacle. Pat Healy is Robert, a flawed husband and father brimming with intricacies. His fierce, antagonistic behaviour is contradictory to his wife’s views, testing the relationship further. John James Cronin plays Bobby, the youngest son. His playful nature adds light-hearted comic relief to the otherwise dark tale.

Director Sean King O’Grady uses the small space to great effect. Despite mostly taking place in one location, We Need to Do Something doesn’t feel stagnant. It’s filmed in a way that makes the room feel like a character. His camera movements create a claustrophobic atmosphere with stunning body horror moments emphasizing practical effects over CGI. When filmmakers have convictions for traditional techniques, it makes a huge difference. At times it doesn’t even feel like an independent film. CGI is used minimally, not looking fake or cheap. Big-budget films have looked worse. He doesn’t rely on jump scares either. Having elements of genuine surprise makes for a more enjoyable experience. As tension increases, he vividly unravels the horrors of human nature. Then there’s the question of what exactly is happening outdoors? Where is the safest place to be?

Max Booth III wrote both the screenplay and novella of the same name. Starvation, dehydration, paranoia, and isolation are all topical themes explored deeply. Soon the terrifying realization occurs that more is going on than they know. Ominous clues are presented hinting at the possibility of what’s going on outside. This is where it gets problematic–many puzzle pieces get presented in We Need to Do Something but they don’t all properly fit. Things get jumbled by the finale because developments are unclear. It’s also guilty of a personal horror movie pet peeve, abruptly stopping with no warning.

Overall, the family dynamics at play work well because the simplicity of the story gives the characters room to grow. Films with small casts require just the right actors and they’re all impressive here, McCormick being the highlight. As tensions rise, each is endeavouring to resolve internal and external problems in a claustrophobic environment. A well-balanced blend of drama, body horror, and humour makes for an intriguing script. O’Grady makes bold directing choices redefining what horror can be because he doesn’t rely on gore or jump scares. He makes ingenious decisions like letting the actors shine, using the limited space as a scary plot device, and adding the mystery of whether or not it’s even worth it trying to escape.

We Need to Do Something‘s biggest drawback is the polarizing conclusion or lack thereof. I appreciate art left open to interpretation, but sometimes it leaves me wanting more (not a compliment). Still, I highly recommend this. And remember, bold originality allows for the reinvention of horror when we need to do something for the genre.

8 out of 10