It takes familiar feelings to unfamiliar placesthe same architecture, a shiny new coat of paint.
What Is ‘Descendent’ About?
Sean works as a school security guard, but hes trying to transition into a better paying private role.
Image via SXSW
Late one night, Sean is called to another maintenance jobbut something strange happens.
Theres an instability in Cilellas storytelling and direction that works inDescendents favor.
An inevitable breakdown in sanity drags viewers into Seans world, which becomes less stable and more erratic.
Descendent follows a father-to-be who, after suffering a traumatic brain injury, experiences frightening visions of extraterrestrials and develops a talent for drawing. As his perceptions of reality blur, he becomes increasingly focused on safeguarding his family from an enigmatic threat.
Alexander Chinnicis cinematography adds toDescendants unsettled visual style, as the camera modifies perspective depending on whats happening.
Marquands performance has a lot to say about control as a construct.
Sean is obsessed with controlling things he cannot–his babys health, and his mental unspooling.
‘Descendent’ Is an Interesting Take on “Trauma Horror”
Then there are the horrors ofDescendent.
Its moreRelicthanHereditaryregarding scare levels in Trauma Horror terms.
Descendentis paced with precision, but even so, it can drift off its axis.
Cilellas debut is confident and composed, prying open wounds that are sustained through everyday existence.
Descendenthad its premiere at the 2025 SXSW Festival.
As his perceptions of reality blur, he becomes increasingly focused on safeguarding his family from an enigmatic threat.
