What Is We Are What We Are About?
The premise of We Are What We Are in 322 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In a remote town battered by a relentless downpour, the weather itself feels like a relentless observer, draping the streets in a cold, metallic hush. The storm brings more than flooded gutters and gusting wind; it amplifies the hidden rhythms of a family that has lived on the edge of ordinary life for generations. Within the weather‑worn house at the heart of this community, the atmosphere is thick with whispered history and rituals that have been passed down like a family heirloom, casting a shadow over every creaking floorboard.
When the family’s patriarch suddenly passes away, his absence leaves a vacuum that the two sisters must fill while the rain continues its unyielding drumming. Iris, the elder, carries the weight of tradition with a stoic resolve, her gaze often fixed on the pages of an old family chronicle that hints at a past both noble and unsettling. Rose, younger and more questioning, wrestles with grief and a restless curiosity, pushing against the boundaries of the roles she has been taught to accept. Their delicate balance of duty and dissent teeters as the storm forces them to confront the very customs that have defined their lives.
Meanwhile, the town’s close‑knit community, already uneasy under the oppressive weather, begins to notice the strange patterns that surround the sisters’ household. Law enforcement and neighbors, wrapped in their own layers of suspicion, sense that something lies just below the surface of the Parker’s private world. The increasing tension is felt in every glance exchanged on the slick sidewalks, each one asking whether the secrets the sisters keep are a matter of heritage or something far more ominous.
As the rain swells and the night grows darker, the film settles into a haunting folk‑horror mood, where the line between devotion and dread blurs. The story promises a careful unraveling of family ties, a community’s quiet scrutiny, and the uneasy realization that some traditions are best left unexamined.
What Happens in We Are What We Are?
The complete story of We Are What We Are, from the first scene to the last, in 774 words (about 3 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 3 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
During a relentless downpour, a woman named Emma Parker stumbles into a store just as the butcher is receiving a delivery. After several attempts to communicate with her, she confesses that the harsh weather has deeply affected her. The butcher warns her that conditions will worsen before they improve, and she proceeds to buy groceries. As Emma exits the store, she notices a poster about missing teenage girls. Before she can reach her car, she starts bleeding from her mouth and loses consciousness after hitting her head on a structure, ultimately drowning in a rain-filled ditch.
Later, devastation strikes the Parker family as the sheriff informs Frank Parker of Emma’s death. Overwhelmed with grief, Frank abstains from identifying her body, sending his daughters, Rose and Iris, in his place. Doctor Barrow, who had delivered Frank’s young son Rory, announces that an autopsy is required by law. During the autopsy, he discovers signs of Kuru disease. Meanwhile, Frank is offered comfort by his compassionate neighbor Marge, but later, while navigating through the storm, he encounters a stranded motorist, strongly implying that he attacks her with a tire iron.
Interwoven into the narrative are scenes from a book being read by the eldest daughter, chronicling their family’s pioneer history, filled with tales of hunger and hardship. The men of their party have been lost in the wilderness, leaving the women facing a grim winter. Rose and Iris contemplate taking over their mother’s religious duties; however, Iris insists that they must follow this year’s ritual. Rory grapples with understanding their family’s tumultuous past.
In a shocking turn, Rory accidentally discovers a young woman held captive in his father’s shed. Frank, furious, instructs Rory to leave and commands his daughters to butcher the captive. Though they resist, they follow his orders under duress and eventually consume her remains at Frank’s insistence. Meanwhile, Marge attempts to deliver a vegetarian meal to the Parkers but is met with a cold reception from Iris, who brushes off Marge’s concern about strange noises from the shed.
Through flashbacks to pioneer times, the family’s struggle for survival is depicted as they seek refuge in a cave. Meanwhile, Frank’s sanity deteriorates as he becomes increasingly withdrawn, disturbing his daughters with his nightly cries. He eventually reveals their meager food supply: a woman from their group tied to a rack, from whom he has been cutting pieces. Handing his eldest daughter a knife, he points towards the carcass, leaving her with a grim decision to make.
Doctor Barrow, whose daughter has also gone missing, grows suspicious upon discovering a bone fragment in a creek. Although Sheriff Meeks dismisses his worries, Barrow persuades Deputy Anders to investigate further. They uncover additional evidence, leading to a tense encounter with Iris in a secluded area. As Anders confesses his feelings, Iris, riddled with guilt, breaks down. Their emotional moment escalates into a sexual encounter, only to be abruptly halted when Frank catches them and kills Anders in a fit of rage, commanding Iris to return home.
With Frank now ordering his daughters to remain confined to their room, Rose devises an escape plan. Frank, alone in his room, whispers prayers of devotion, convinced they will soon be reunited with their mother. As he prepares dinner, he adds a suspicious jar of powder to the soup. Realizing Frank’s intent to poison them with arsenic, Rose attempts to alert Iris but is unsuccessful. In a desperate measure, she knocks over Rory’s bowl to prevent him from eating before Frank can react.
Just then, Barrow arrives, armed with findings that imply the Parkers have engaged in acts of cannibalism. As he confronts Frank about the missing Anders and his daughter, the tension escalates, culminating in a chaotic struggle where Iris shields Barrow from Frank’s gunfire, resulting in her accidental injury. In the heat of the moment, Barrow shoots Frank, but Frank ultimately overpowers him.
Amid the turmoil, Rose and Rory flee to Marge’s house for shelter. Tragically, Frank breaks in, kills Marge, and then manipulates Rose and Rory to return to him. Back at their home, Frank coerces them into eating again, comparing Rose to her deceased mother. In a shocking turn of events, Rose retaliates by biting into Frank’s neck, while Iris drives a knife through her father’s hand. Together, they launch an assault on him until he succumbs.
As the grisly scene unfolds, Rose notices that Barrow, barely conscious, has witnessed the entire incident. In a haunting gesture, she places his daughter’s stolen hair ornament on his chest. The following morning, the siblings depart from town, with Rose clutching a diary that recounts their ancestors’ grim history of cannibalism.
We Are What We Are Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
15 key events in the order they happen, from “Emma's Arrival at the Store” to “Final Showdown and Aftermath”. 15 events name a place, across 12 locations.
- 1
Emma's Arrival at the Store
Amid a relentless downpour, Emma Parker seeks refuge in a local store. She confesses to the butcher that the harsh weather conditions have deeply impacted her, indicating her emotional state.
Where:Local Store
- 2
Warning of Worsening Weather
As Emma buys groceries, the butcher warns her that the weather will continue to worsen. This ominous prediction foreshadows the tragic events that unfold shortly after.
Where:Local Store
- 3
Discovery of Missing Girls Poster
Upon exiting the store, Emma notices a poster about missing teenage girls. This unsettling reminder of danger lingers in her mind as she leaves the store.
Where:Outside Local Store
- 4
Emma's Fatal Incident
Before reaching her car, Emma suddenly starts bleeding from her mouth. She loses consciousness after hitting her head on a structure, ultimately drowning in a rain-filled ditch.
Where:Parking Lot
- 5
Frank Learns of Emma's Death
The Parker family is struck with devastation when Sheriff inform Frank Parker about his wife's death. Overwhelmed with grief, Frank refrains from identifying Emma's body, showing his emotional turmoil.
Where:Sheriff's Office
- 6
Autopsy Reveals Kuru Disease
During the autopsy of Emma's body, Doctor Barrow legally requires a thorough examination, which yields troubling findings of Kuru disease. This revelation adds a layer of horror to the already tragic situation.
Where:Local Morgue
- 7
Frank's Encounter with Stranded Motorist
Navigating through the storm for comfort, Frank encounters a stranded motorist. The encounter implies an ominous turn of events as Frank's mental state deteriorates.
Where:Stormy Road
- 8
Rory Discovers Captive Woman
In a shocking twist, Rory stumbles upon a young woman held captive in his father's shed. This discovery intensifies the tension within the Parker family as secrets unravel.
Where:Frank's Shed
- 9
The Family's Dark Choice
Under the oppressive command of Frank, Rory, Rose, and Iris are forced to butcher the captive woman, leading to an unimaginable act of cannibalism. This moment signifies a critical turning point in their familial bonds.
Where:Frank's Shed
- 10
Doctor Barrow's Suspicion
Doctor Barrow, alarmed by a bone fragment discovered in the creek, begins to question the happenings surrounding the Parker family. He seeks to gather evidence amid a growing sense of dread.
Where:Nearby Creek
Show the other 5 events of We Are What We Are Hide the last 5 events
- 11
Iris and Anders' Emotional Moment
As Deputy Anders confesses his feelings to Iris in a secluded area, they share an emotional interaction, full of guilt and remorse. Their moment is abruptly interrupted by Frank's violent arrival.
Where:Secluded Area
- 12
Frank's Downward Spiral
Frank's sanity continues to erode, leading him to make shocking decisions about food for the family. He reveals their dwindling food supply and forces Rose into a harrowing ultimatum.
Where:Frank's Home
- 13
Climactic Confrontation with Doctor Barrow
Doctor Barrow confronts Frank with his alarming findings about the family's actions. A tense struggle ensues, revealing the depth of Frank's madness and desperation to protect his grim secrets.
Where:Frank's Home
- 14
The Siblings' Escape
Rose and Rory manage to escape their father's oppressive grip and seek sanctuary at Marge's house. However, they soon realize that Frank's violent tendencies have tragic consequences.
Where:Marge's House
- 15
Final Showdown and Aftermath
In a gripping finale, Rose and Iris unite against Frank, culminating in a desperate struggle for survival. As they defeat him, they face the haunting aftermath of their father's darkness and their family's tragic history.
Where:Family Home
Who Are the Main Characters in We Are What We Are?
5 characters, among them Frank Parker, Rose Parker and Iris Parker: who each one is and the part they play in the story.
- FP
Frank Parker
Frank is a deeply troubled patriarch, whose grief and madness lead him down a path of violence and cannibalism. Overwhelmed by his wife's death and the pressures of survival, he becomes increasingly withdrawn and manipulative. His desperation drives him to commit unspeakable acts, leaving his daughters in a position of torment and conflict.
- 🧑🤝🧑 Family
- 🥀 Grief
- 🔥 Violence
- RP
Rose Parker
Rose, the eldest daughter, is portrayed as a reluctant participant in her family's dark rituals. Struggling to navigate her father's authority and her mother's legacy, she demonstrates strength and resourcefulness. Her character arc involves a significant transformation as she confronts the horrors around her and ultimately seeks to reclaim her agency.
- 👩🌾 Resilience
- 🦸♀️ Empowerment
- 😟 Conflict
- IP
Iris Parker
Iris is depicted as a conflicted character torn between loyalty to her father and her moral compass. As the younger sister, she faces significant emotional turmoil, especially in moments that challenge her sense of right and wrong. Her journey is fraught with guilt and fear, culminating in moments of courage that defy her father's control.
- 🙍♀️ Conflict
- 🕊️ Innocence
- 💔 Guilt
- RP
Rory Parker
Rory, the youngest son, struggles with understanding the twisted family dynamics and his father's insanity. His innocent perspective often contrasts sharply with the grotesque reality he uncovers. Ultimately, his character represents the vulnerability of youth caught in a cycle of darkness and brutality.
- 👶 Innocence
- 🔍 Discovery
- 😨 Fear
- DB
Doctor Barrow
Doctor Barrow serves as a moral compass, growing increasingly suspicious of the Parkers' actions. Driven by his own grief over his missing daughter, he becomes an investigator of the unfolding horror. His efforts to uncover the truth demonstrate a deep-seated sense of justice, ultimately putting him in grave danger.
- 👨⚕️ Justice
- 🔍 Suspicion
- 😢 Grief
Where and When Is We Are What We Are Set?
We Are What We Are is set in Parker family home, local town and wilderness. Here is why the place matters to the story.
When
The events of the movie are set in a contemporary time frame, though flashbacks delve into the family's pioneering past. During these flashbacks, the struggles of survival resonate, giving insight into themes of hardship and the lengths to which families go to endure during desperate times.
Where
Parker family home, local town, wilderness
The film takes place primarily in the Parker family home, a grim and oppressive environment that reflects the family's dark secrets. The surrounding local town serves as a backdrop for the events that unfold, particularly highlighting the isolation and rain-soaked atmosphere. The wilderness plays a crucial role, representing the harsh realities the characters face, with a history steeped in survival and desperation.
- 🏡 Home
- 🌧️ Wilderness
- ⛰️ Town
What Are the Themes of We Are What We Are?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Survival, Cannibalism and Tradition vs. Change.
-
01
Survival
Survival is the driving force behind the Parker family's actions, marked by a haunting history and current desperation. As they face internal and external threats, the lengths to which they go to survive become chillingly apparent. The characters grapple with their dark past and present, blurring the line between necessity and monstrosity.
-
02
Cannibalism
Cannibalism emerges as a shocking theme that highlights the depths of human depravity when faced with starvation and fear. Throughout the story, the family's gruesome practices are revealed, forcing viewers to confront the horrific reality of their actions. This theme intertwines with the notions of family loyalty and the loss of humanity.
-
03
Tradition vs. Change
The struggle between maintaining family traditions and adapting to new realities is central to the film. As the daughters must confront their father's grim legacy, they balance their mother’s religious teachings against the haunting practices they are forced to adopt. This theme is amplified by the stark contrast between their past and present decisions.
What Kind of Film Is We Are What We Are?
Dark in tone, with steady pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Dark
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- High
- Ending
- Bleak
An oppressive and grueling horror film that unfolds under relentless rain, trapping a fractured family in a cycle of grim traditions and brutal violence, leading to a bleak and blood-soaked conclusion.
- ominous
- oppressive
- gloomy
- claustrophobic
- anxious
- grim
- cannibalism
- dark family secrets
- grief and loss
- survival
Content notes: cannibalism, murder, child endangerment, imprisonment, family violence, death of a parent.
Quiz
How well do you remember We Are What We Are? Test yourself on the story.
Where to Watch We Are What We Are
Stream it on Fawesome and The Roku Channel, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Fandango At Home. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
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