While I was sitting with my family the other day, I couldn’t help but notice my niece crying and screaming uncontrollably. While I love her to pieces, I can’t even imagine what it would be like to take upon that burden. From time to time, I get asked the question from my friends and peers “Do you want kids?” To that I respond with a resounding no. Occasionally, I think about how nice it might be and how it has the power to change my life for the better. But then I watch something like Rosemary’s Baby, and it keeps my priorities in check. Obviously using a film like that may be a little irrational. But there are too many films out there, some even pretty realistic, that make it seem like having a child would be a living hell. Today, I’m gonna share of few of them.
1. Rosemary’s Baby
I mean of course I have to discuss this one. The story is about a couple that moves into a New York apartment who want to start a family together. Rosemary gets pregnant and things slowly but surely go awry. Directed by Roman Polanski. Starring Mia Farrow, John Casavetes. This truly is one of the scariest films of all time. The reason why it merit’s the title of being a horror classic is because it has such a n eerie atmosphere, creepy imagery, and a very committed performance from Mia Farrow. The utter emotional and mental turmoil she faces onscreen is devastating, all thanks to the baby. It is close to impossible to watch this film and not think about it for days on end.
2. We Need to Talk About Kevin
I brought up this film in my previous list, but I cannot stress how good it is. It is sort of the same concept as Rosemary’s Baby, where we have mother being haunted by the child and what it invites in it’s presence. The son in this film challenges the mother on virtually every level you can imagine. The film acts as a timeline for the boy, where we see him as a baby to when he is an adult. There is no one specific event that reveals him to be a psychopath. It is a slow burn in every sense of the word. If this film doesn’t make you rethink having a child, I don’t know what will.
3. A Clockwork Orange
Set in a futuristic version of London, the film follows Alex and his group of friends engaging in what they refer to as “Ultravoilence”. Alex is than pursued by the police, and institutionalized. There he is tested and experimented on to be rid of his violent and sadistic ways. When he is released back into the world, he comes to find that those he has hurt aren’t done with him yet. It is masterfully crafted from a filmmaking standpoint directed by the ingenious Stanley Kubrick. Hailed as one of the most controversial films ever made, and with good reason. Alex is truly terrifying. The question of how can someone this young could be so depraved? Is asked multiple times in the film.
4. The Exorcist
Widely regarded is the scariest film of all time, The Exorcist holds up surprisingly well today. Tells the tale of 12-year old Regan MacNeil who begins to have changes in her personality and is soon discovered that she is possessed by the devil. Her mother Chris eventually enlists the help of father Damien Karras who is already having a crisis of faith, to exorcise the demon from within her. Directed by William Friedkin and adapted by the novel William Peter Blatty who also produced the film. While for the majority of the film follows father Damien Karras, there is still enough time given to the daughter before and after she was possessed. Ellen Burstyn gives a very real performance as the mother, and you quickly feel bad for her.
5. Hereditary
Now, once again I brought up this film in this last list. But even though it came out in 2018, it has still maintained a pretty good following. The ideas and concept’s in this film that remain under the surface may be a little harder to grasp, but at it’s core this film is a very dark and depressing family drama. Not only does the death of matriarch have an effect on the family, but there is a sequence later on in the film that is life scarring. Toni Colette gives a career best, and the rest of the cast does a more than adequate job. Director Ari Aster revealed that the film was also inspired from his own family. Either way this film is truly horrifying as we see this family breakdown and deteriorate.
Admittedly, most of the films I have provided are in fact horror films. But if you are someone who really wants kids, I don’t think you could watch these and not that have a little bit of cold feet. Of course there are films out there that feature charming kids with many wonderful personalities. However, I don’t think it is a coincidence that there have been a variety of films centered around or that include disturbed kids and troubled teens. I urge those of you who desire to have children, to take a look at these films. On the contrary, if you are pregnant, not the best idea to check these out.
Cedric Cinema 