The Alamo Drafthouse in Austin buzzed with anticipation at Fantastic Fest 2025, where the Adams family—Toby Poser, John Adams, and their daughters Lulu and Zelda—unveiled their latest cinematic creation, Mother of Flies. This warped fairy tale, shot in the hauntingly beautiful Catskill forests, marks their most personal narrative yet. As the lights dimmed and the audience settled, the family’s signature blend of raw emotion and dark magic filled the screen, leaving a palpable energy in the theater.
The Adams family, under their Wonder Wheel Productions banner, is no stranger to the indie film circuit. Since 2010, when they grabbed a camera and some mics to hit the open road, they’ve crafted stories that resonate with heart and grit. From their debut Rumblestrips, a tale of loss and love on the American highway, to Knuckle Jack’s small-town larceny, The Shoot’s commentary on fame, and Halfway to Zen’s bruised but hopeful family portrait, their films have captivated audiences worldwide, earning Jury and Audience Awards across festivals. With Mother of Flies, distributed by Shudder in 2026 via Yellow Veil Pictures, they’ve woven their most intimate story yet—a meditation on life, death, and the fierce love that binds them.
In a lively post-screening interview with AMFM Magazine’s Paul Salfen, Toby and John shared the heart of their latest project. “On the surface, it’s about a dying girl, a desperate father, and a witch in the woods,” Toby explained, her voice warm yet deliberate. “But underneath, it’s a conversation about life and death—and definitely love.” The film, she noted, explores love in its many forms: love of family, love of life, and even love of death. “It’s the hard part for most people,” she added, “but why shouldn’t you love death? It’s represented by the witch in the movie, and hopefully, the audience walks out understanding that question.”
John, ever reflective, chimed in about the personal roots of the story. “We’re bringing private conversations, fears, and loves out into the public,” he said. The horror community, he emphasized, is uniquely open to these tough discussions. “That’s why we love this community so much—it’s where we can have these conversations.” For the Adams family, Mother of Flies isn’t just a film; it’s a mirror to their own experiences, shaped by real-life encounters with mortality. Yet, amidst the darkness, there’s a surprising lightness—a hope that resonates in these “dark times,” as Toby put it.
The family’s DIY ethos is a beacon for aspiring filmmakers. Working as a tight-knit unit, they write, act, shoot, edit, and score their films, proving that small teams can create big impact. “Tell your story within your means,” John advised, recounting a moment before the screening when a young filmmaker shared a bold idea. “We told her, ‘You don’t need our advice—you’ve got it going on. Don’t follow someone else’s structure. Make it authentically yours.’” Toby echoed this, urging creators to trust their voices: “We all have amazing stories within us. It just takes the courage to do it.”
Fear, they admitted, is part of the process. “I’m completely fearful of every movie we do,” Toby confessed, laughing. “I worry we’re doing something that’s not good. But I tell myself, ‘This is what I want to talk about, so I’m going to stand on my own two feet.’” John nodded, adding, “If everyone in the room loved it, I might be playing too safe. As long as it comes from our ripped-open hearts, I feel good about it.” That raw authenticity is what makes their work sing—and what makes Fantastic Fest audiences return to them year after year.
The creative journey isn’t without its stumbles. John shared a candid story of a previous project that didn’t meet their artistic standards. “We worked hard, acted, edited, scored it—and we didn’t like it,” he said. “People might call that a disaster, but it was a super positive experience.” Those lessons fueled Mother of Flies, and the joy of creation, even in failure, shone through in the family’s memories of shooting in Minneapolis. “Every second was joyful,” John said, grinning. Toby added, “We look at the footage, and it’s all love.”
Beyond the screen, the Adams family is already crafting their next project, with music setting the tone. “We’re working on the soundtrack now,” John revealed. “It took some experimenting, but we’ve found the audio tone for the next film.” For them, filmmaking is a way of life, a continuous roll from one story to the next. Fantastic Fest, with its eclectic films, great food, and passionate community, remains the perfect stage for their work. “The people here have such respect for the screen,” Toby said. “They’re my people.”
As the interview wrapped, the message was clear: Mother of Flies is more than a horror film—it’s a raw, human exploration of love’s power, even in the face of death. “I love hearing people’s personal stories after the film,” Toby said, her eyes bright. “We all have stories about facing death or supporting someone through it. They’re hard, wonderful, and beautiful.” With Shudder set to release the film in early 2026, audiences worldwide will soon step into the Adams family’s enchanted, unsettling world, where love and death swing side by side.
