The Adams Family, known for their distinctive approach to indie horror, has released the first trailer for their upcoming film, Mother of Flies, which will premiere on the horror streaming service Shudder on January 23, 2026. The film centers on a desperate family seeking to defy death, only to find themselves confronting something far more sinister.
In the trailer, viewers are introduced to Mickey, who faces a terminal diagnosis that threatens to cut her life short. Desperate to save his daughter, her father, Jake, reluctantly agrees to seek the help of a local witch named Solveig, who claims she can postpone Mickey’s inevitable fate. As the story unfolds, the family undergoes a series of disturbing and gruesome rituals that Solveig insists are necessary to save Mickey’s life. The witch ominously states, “to rule death, one must love it…lie with it.”
The film features a series of shocking visuals, including writhing maggots, desiccated corpses, and other unsettling imagery that suggest the cure may indeed be worse than the disease.
Creative Team Behind the Film
John Adams, Zelda Adams, and Toby Poser collaborated on directing and writing the film. Poser also took on the role of producer, while John served as both director of photography and editor. The cast includes Lulu Adams, James Lindsay, Noble Wilson-Eiden, and Jessica Beveridge. The film’s score is produced by the family band, H6LLB6ND6R, adding a unique auditory layer to the chilling narrative.
The Adams Family is not to be confused with the famous fictional characters but rather a family of self-taught filmmakers. John Adams and Toby Poser are married, with their daughters, Zelda and Lulu, actively participating in their projects. Their previous film, Hellbender, was released in 2021 and became a sleeper hit on Shudder. It was shot at their home during the COVID-19 pandemic and tells the story of a mother-daughter duo living an isolated existence in the woods.
Critical Reception and Future Prospects
“Hellbender” was praised as “a monumental, eternally chilling metaphor for the pains of growing up,” according to Collider’s Joel Medina.
The family’s repertoire also includes other notable works such as The Deeper You Dig, Where The Devil Roams, and Hell Hole.
Mother of Flies premiered at last summer’s Fantastic Fest, where it received enthusiastic responses from critics and currently boasts a perfect score of 100% on Rotten Tomatoes.
As anticipation builds for its release, audiences can expect a haunting exploration of life, death, and the lengths one might go to for their family. For those interested in horror, this film promises to deliver an unforgettable experience when it debuts on Shudder. Stay tuned for further updates as the release date approaches.
