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Mystery horror film

We Need to Do Something (2021): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

We Need to Do Something (2021) movie poster

We Need to Do Something is a 2021 mystery horror film directed by Sean King O'Grady, starring Sierra McCormick as Melissa, Pat Healy and Vinessa Shaw. It runs 1 hour 37 minutes and earned $15,318 worldwide. Critics gave it 54% on Rotten Tomatoes and 48 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 4.5/10.

IMDb rating
4.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes
54%
worldwide gross
$15.3K
Echo Score
30
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We Need to Do Something (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 37m (97 min)
Genres
Mystery , Horror
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is We Need to Do Something About?

The premise of We Need to Do Something without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

During a severe storm, Melissa seeks refuge but finds herself trapped in a terrifying situation. As night falls, the distinction between reality and fear diminishes, compelling her to face a dark secret. She and Amy may be entangled in a cosmic horror with the potential to destroy everything they cherish.

We Need to Do Something Themes & Keywords

· 17 tags
  • dysfunctional family
  • trapped
  • bathroom
  • strange phenomena
  • tornado
  • threat
  • quarantine
  • shelter
  • claustrophobia
  • power cut
  • door
  • cataclysm
+5 more
  • flashback
  • tornado warning
  • rickroll
  • female female kiss
  • lesbian
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Cast & crew

We Need to Do Something Cast & Characters

Sierra McCormick leads the cast as Melissa, with Pat Healy as Robert and Vinessa Shaw as Diane. Directed by Sean King O'Grady; 8 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in We Need to Do Something

· 4 more
From the director

More from Sean King O'Grady

More films directed by Sean King O'Grady, best-rated first: The Mill and Our American Family.

Full filmography
Ratings

We Need to Do Something Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave We Need to Do Something 54% on Rotten Tomatoes and 48 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 4.5/10. Our Echo Score gives it 30/100, strongest in sensory experience (55) and weakest in rewatch factor (20).

30 /100

We Need to Do Something Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, the film struggles to deliver a cohesive cinematic experience, reflected in its low aggregate rating. Critics and viewers alike point to static visuals, uneven pacing, and limited emotional engagement, while a few acknowledge moments of atmospheric tension and effective practical effects. The combination of weak narrative structure and unconvincing performances further diminishes its appeal. Consequently, the movie offers limited incentive for repeated viewings.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 35

    In terms of direction and visual craft, the film is frequently described as static and overly confined to a single setting. While isolated practical gore moments receive modest praise, the overall cinematography lacks dynamism and the editing feels repetitive. These factors contribute to a modest assessment of the film’s artistic execution.

  • Character & Emotion 30

    When evaluating character development, reviewers note shallow personalities and a lack of emotional depth throughout the runtime. Performances are often characterized as wasted or mediocre, though a few committed actors are cited as providing brief moments of credibility. The general consensus is that the characters fail to engage the audience meaningfully.

  • Story & Flow 25

    The narrative is criticized for repetitive pacing and an underdeveloped plot that offers few surprising twists. Critics highlight a reliance on confinement and ambiguous exposition, resulting in a storyline that feels thin and occasionally pretentious. Consequently, the story contributes little to sustaining audience interest.

  • Sensory Experience 55

    Sensory elements receive mixed feedback, with the soundtrack’s electropop cover and isolated sound design moments noted for creating a tense atmosphere. Practical gore effects are praised for their visceral impact, yet the overall audio‑visual cohesion is described as uneven and at times pretentious. This blend results in a moderate sensory reception.

  • Rewatch Factor 20

    Rewatch potential is low, as reviewers consistently cite a lack of engaging plot and unappealing characters. The film’s repetitive structure and unresolved ending provide little incentive for subsequent viewings. Overall, the consensus suggests minimal lasting appeal beyond the initial viewing experience.

Plot

We Need to Do Something Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in We Need to Do Something from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

During a violent tornado, teenager Melissa and her family—her parents, Robert and Diane, along with her brother Bobby—seek refuge in their bathroom. Chaos ensues when a tree crashes through their home, blocking the exit and imprisoning them. As the storm rages outside, a snake appears, escalating the situation and increasing the family’s tensions. Struggling with alcohol withdrawal, Robert grows increasingly irate.

Suddenly, a dog materializes outside, and in a surprising twist, it speaks with a male voice, declaring itself a “good boy.” In a shocking turn of events, it bites Melissa, prompting her to violently rip out its tongue. In an act of desperation, Diane cleans the severed tongue, leading the family to bizarrely consume it.

Full summary

The whole story of We Need to Do Something, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

We Need to Do Something Box Office

We Need to Do Something grossed $15,318 worldwide. $13,589 came from the US and Canada and $1,729 (11%) from the rest of the world.

2021 box office

Worldwide gross

$15.3K

US & Canada
$13.6K
International
$1.7K
US & Canada 89% Rest of the world 11%
Videos

We Need to Do Something Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 clip.

Official Trailer
  • Clip "Ozzy Osbourne or a Cute Puppy?" Official Clip
Quiz

How Well Do You Know We Need to Do Something?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What natural disaster traps Melissa and her family in the bathroom?

Details

We Need to Do Something Also Known As

9 alternative titles, including “我们得做些什么” and “עלינו לעשות משהו”.

Also known as
  • 我们得做些什么
  • עלינו לעשות משהו
  • Terror entre Quatro Paredes
  • Штормовое предупреждение
  • Musimy coś zrobić
  • 위 니드 투 두 섬씽
  • ウィ・ニード・トゥ・ドゥ・サムシング
  • 我們得做些什麼
  • Shelter

Seen We Need to Do Something?

FAQ

We Need to Do Something FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of We Need to Do Something, each answered in a sentence.

How long is We Need to Do Something?

We Need to Do Something runs 1 hour 37 minutes (97 minutes).

When was We Need to Do Something released?

We Need to Do Something was released on September 3, 2021.

Who directed We Need to Do Something?

We Need to Do Something was directed by Sean King O'Grady.

More films by Sean King O'Grady

Who is in the cast of We Need to Do Something?

We Need to Do Something stars Sierra McCormick as Melissa, Pat Healy as Robert and Vinessa Shaw as Diane, among 8 credited actors.

How much did We Need to Do Something make at the box office?

We Need to Do Something grossed $15,318 worldwide ($13,589 domestic, $1,729 international).

How is We Need to Do Something rated?

We Need to Do Something has 4.5/10 on IMDb, 54% on Rotten Tomatoes, 48 on Metacritic and 53% on TMDB.

Does We Need to Do Something have a post-credit scene?

No. We Need to Do Something has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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