Panic Fest 25' It Feeds Is a Gripping Supernatural Slow Burn That Sinks Its Claws Into Parenthood and Dread - Review

It Feeds Is a Gripping Supernatural Slow Burn That Sinks Its Claws Into Parenthood and Dread

Chad Archibald and Black Fawn Films have long been cornerstones of the modern indie horror scene—consistently serving up eerie supernatural tales laced with dread, grief, and moral ambiguity. But with It Feeds, which premiered at Panic Fest 2025, they may have delivered one of their most emotionally resonant and tightly constructed films to date.

At its core, It Feeds is about parenting, survival, and what we’re willing to do—right or wrong—to protect the people we love. Starring Sean Ashmore, Ashley Greene, and a standout Ellie O’Brien, the film presents a chilling blend of domestic horror and supernatural terror that feels both timeless and urgently modern.

Ashmore plays Randall Harris, a father doing what every parent instinctively does when the world begins to crumble: protect. His daughter Riley (Shaylyn Martin) ends up at the home of Cynthia (Ashley Greene) and Jordan (Ellie O’Brien)—a mother-daughter pair still navigating their own private grief. What begins as a tense domestic setup quickly unravels into a dark spiral of possession, trauma, and buried secrets.

The genius of It Feeds lies not in reinventing horror tropes, but in grounding them. The parenting dynamics here—strained, flawed, painfully real—hit hard. The dialogue feels lived-in, the performances authentic, and the stakes skyrocket when the lines between protection and possession start to blur. Cynthia may have a gift—or a curse—and Randall may be doing the right thing… or something far worse.

Archibald’s direction is restrained but effective, leaning into dread over jump scares. Visually, the film looks incredible—moody, atmospheric, and suffocating in the best way. His years in the game show here. Every frame is calibrated for unease. And when the horror hits, it hits.

For fans of slow-burn supernatural stories with emotional depth, It Feeds is an easy recommendation. It might be a tougher sell for those seeking something faster-paced or gore-heavy, but the payoff for sticking with it is worth it. This is the kind of horror that doesn’t just scare—it lingers. It asks questions about grief, parenthood, and control that aren’t easily answered.

It Feeds proves there’s still room in the genre for smart, heartfelt supernatural storytelling—especially when it’s anchored by performances this strong and direction this confident. Horror thrives on human fear, and It Feeds knows exactly where that fear lives.

3.0/5

Director: Chad Archibald

Screenwriter: Chad Archibald

Cast: Shawn Ashmore, Ashley Greene, Ellie O'Brien

Cinematographer: Jeff Maher