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Cory Knauf, Samuel Child, Joseph McKelheer, Mackenzie Firgens, Rebekah Hoyle ... see more see more... , Brittany Daniel , Al Liner , Tara Glass , Jena Hunt

Mitchell Altieri and Phil Flores (aka the Butcher Brothers) break big on the horror scene with this low-budget frightener concerning a picture-perfect suburban family who harbors a particularly dark s... read more read more...ecret. When their parents are killed in a tragic accident, eldest Hamilton sibling David (Samuel Child) relocates the surviving family members to a quiet California suburb and assumes the responsibility of caring for his orphaned siblings Wendell (Joseph McKelheer), Darlene (Mackenzie Firgens), and Francis (Cory Knauf). While twins Wendell and Darlene seem to share a bizarre bond that separates them from the rest of the siblings, Francis acquires a video camera that previously belonged to his deceased parents and sets out preparing a school project about his family. As the all-seeing lens of Francis' roving camera begins to reveal that something malevolent is going on inside the Hamilton's picturesque abode and his reluctant siblings find their decidedly unconventional existence suddenly threatened, the youngest sibling is forced to choose between following his family into a murderous tradition or sparing the lives of future victims by betraying the only people who ever seemed to care for him. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

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40% liked it

6,269 ratings

R, 1 hr. 27 min.

Directed by: Mitchell Altieri, Phil Flores

Release Date: November 19, 2006

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DVD Release Date: March 27, 2007

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Stats: 845 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (845)

  • helpahorse
    February 14, 2011
    helpahorse
    Actually a pretty decent film. Some parts were weird/off/irrelevant but it wasn't that bad. I was asking a lot of questions about the plot in the beginning, but by the end all my questions were answered (surprisingly). I was actually expecting a bunch of plot holes, but nope. It'... read mores pretty self explanatory by the end, a nice twist too. I went into this movie with very low expectations, and it was actually a lot better than what I thought.
  • RCCLBC
    October 6, 2008
    RCCLBC
    I'm going to be generous here and chalk up all of the problems that I had with this film to "budget restrictions".

    I'll follow that up by saying that I think the basic premise here is intersting and while there have been variations of this "theme" over the past several years..... read more.I think this film had a (rather) fresh approach to it.

    One of the main issues I had is that it felt like they just couldn't decide (character wise) what they were going for here.

    At times their approach felt very "tongue in cheek", some parts felt like they were going for "deep, dark and brooding" and at times it felt like they wanted that "torture/horror" feel that seems to be all the rage lately. Each of which can be effective in the horror genre, but are very difficult to do (WELL) all in one film. Had they decided on one or even narrowed it down to two, it may have been better.

    Making this even more of a challenge was the acting, which was mediocre and slightly cartoonish at times. And the dialog was often times painfully bad.

    As a first/early film for the Butcher Brothers, it's impressive. As a horror film in general...it is simply o.k.
  • SilentWarProductions2009
    January 3, 2008
    SilentWarProductions2009
    Directed by: The Butcher Brothers.
    Starring: Cory Knauf, Samuel Child, Mackenzie Firgens, Rebekah Hoyle, Joseph McKelheer.

    One of the 8 films to die for 2006...the fact that we don't have anything like that in this country always annoyed me, but seein... read moreg as the movie's are slowly appearing on DVD here, at least I get to see them. The Hamilton's will be the second film I have seen from this festival lineup and after the disappointing film 'The Abandoned', this shows promise.

    The story follows The Hamilton's, who seem like such a normal family. When there parents die of a mysterious death, they stick together with the oldest being the 'man of the family'. But they hold a horrible secret that keeps them going. They move house every few months with new identities. They kidnap people...but what for? And who is 'Lennie' that lives in the basement that they feed the victims to?

    The front DVD cover and most of the marketing made it appear like a horror film...but it isn't really and this is both the films strong and weak point. What impressed me was the study of character. What lacks in a lot of horror based films nowadays is character. We explore one of the younger siblings grip with his families secret and how he questions the saying on 'how families should stick together', even when he believes it, it's a rather interesting and refreshing look that isn't spectacular, but considerably deep...but with the cast consisting of 4 characters, 2 are misdirected. Introducing Wendell and Darlene, twin brother and sister with names that go well together (of course). They are meant to represent the 'darker' side of the film and although they show us clues of where the film might head (I won't spoil anything), they are completely unlikable and cliched...and a change from the other two. Some of the horror elements are interesting, with a few moments of tense atmosphere and decent lighting, it is effective but lacks a balance with the rest...and anyone expecting gore will be disappointed (aside from a few key shots). The acting is a little too mundane. As expected from a very unknown cast, each actor has no real qualities to mention that shows promise, but it never takes the film down as neither of them are really bad.

    The twist at the end is certainly shocking and sudden...and I give credit to that, but then the reveal of 'Lennie' is a disappointment. That pretty much sums the film up though, although it is a very interesting character study, with thoughtful dialogue and quite a refreshing take on certain elements of the genre, it is balanced with a slow pacing, mundane acting, little gore and very little in the way of horror, as advertised. Still, a very promising start from 'The Butcher Brothers' (even there screen name shows promise) that beats many modern day horror films out of the water and it continues to show that Independent cinema is the way to start.
  • bbcfloridabound
    December 21, 2007
    bbcfloridabound
    Another After Dark Horrorfest Film, This is one of the better ones, Good ole family killing victums for Jr. Nice Slasher, a Buy
  • kiriyamakazou
    August 26, 2007
    kiriyamakazou
    This film takes a looks at a family of killers. A nice twist to teh usual horror formula, however it falls flat. It ends on a twist but doesn't stop there. It seems to be asking forgiveness for its characters actions, and although the twist supports this we have seen them kill wi... read moreth glee in a very sadistic way. The acting is mediocre and the film is poorly shot but there is enough intrigue to keep you guessing and interested.
  • drblood
    August 8, 2007
    drblood
    There were hardly any gore scenes although a lot was implied, the camerawork was all over the place and very distracting, and not one of the cast seems to know how to act. It tried to be a cross between the "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" and a "thinking man's horror" but failed to acc... read moreomplish either. As a vampire film, it sucked - but not in a good way.
  • thefog1331
    July 4, 2007
    thefog1331
    An okay movie that you see one time and then shuffle to the back of your memory. Predictable and yet some-what interesting.
  • Beefy
    May 27, 2007
    Beefy
    Clever indie film.
  • nuheart
    April 12, 2007
    nuheart
    The Howling by way of Party of Five. Not a great movie by any stretch of the imagination, but an interesting experiment in low-budget horror.
  • dreamfaeries
    November 30, 2006
    dreamfaeries
    It was alright...

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Critic Reviews

Scott Weinberg
March 21, 2007
Scott Weinberg, DVDTalk.com

Not even the few moments of grim humor and bloodletting can salvage the flick's leaden pacing and overbaked narrative. Full Review

Johnny Butane
November 21, 2006
Johnny Butane, Dread Central

ultimately The Hamiltons is still a damn solid film. Full Review

Robert Koehler
February 23, 2012
Robert Koehler, Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

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The Hamiltons Trivia

  • What was Jean Hamilton's occupation in The perfect man?  Answer »
  • In the movie "The Terminator" what was the name of Linda Hamilton's character?  Answer »
  • In the movie, "A Perfect Man", what is Holly Hamilton's mission?  Answer »
  • After his parents died David had to sell what in The Hamiltons ?  Answer »
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