Caitlin Cronenberg’s new horror drama “Humane” delves into the dark side of her family legacy. In the film, she explores whether the darkness that has been present in her father David and brother Brandon’s lives is something that runs in their blood. The movie stars Jay Baruchel, Emily Hampshire, and Peter Gallagher as they navigate a post-ecological disaster future where a family patriarch enlists in an euthanasia program designed to reduce the planet’s population.
As a journalist who has witnessed firsthand the darkness that surrounds her family, Cronenberg was drawn to this unique premise. She appreciated the way it blended family drama with a chaotic world, creating a compelling story that was both despicable yet strangely likable. While she acknowledges her family ties to darkness, she believes it was not something she inherited inherently. Growing up, she wasn’t exposed to horror films but perhaps felt permission to explore a darker side due to her upbringing and family legacy.
Collaborating with her cinematographer and crew on “Humane” brought Cronenberg comfort during filming. Working together to lens each shot and achieve the desired composition gave her a sense of trust and collaboration throughout the process. Despite any potential familial ties to darkness, Cronenberg found solace in working with others on this project. “Humane” is now showing in select theaters and showcases Caitlin Cronenberg’s unique take on the macabre.
Caitlin Cronenberg explores her family’s dark side in her new horror drama “Humane,” wondering if darkness runs in their blood like it did with David and Brandon’s families before them. With Jay Baruchel, Emily Hampshire, and Peter Gallagher as the stars of this post-apocalyptic future where euthanasia programs are commonplace for reducing humanity’s population size.
The unique premise of “Humane” drew Cronenberg to this project as she enjoyed blending family drama with a chaotic world setting. The characters were complex yet despicable while also being strangely relatable which made for an interesting storyline.
Even though Caitlin acknowledges there is a dark streak within her family’s history, she doesn’t believe it was something inherited innately from their parents or siblings before them.
Growing up without exposure to horror films may have given Cronenberg permission to explore a darker side than what had come before but ultimately collaborating with cinematographers and crew on “Humane” gave her comfort during filming.
Now showing in select theaters across North America, audiences can witness how director Caitlin reimagines what it means for families to survive after an apocalyptic event while grappling with ethical questions about euthanasia programs that aim at reducing human population size.
