Spider Baby

In the decaying confines of the Merrye family mansion, a disturbing yet poignant tale of genetic affliction and the darker aspects of family dynamics unfolds. John Clavell's 1964 film, Spider Baby or More Ardor Than Taste, is a psychological horror classic that probes the twisted nature of the Merrye family's existence and their desperate fight to maintain their tenuous grip on reality. The story centers around the Merrye children - a trio of adult siblings afflicted by a curious disease that causes them to regress into a state of arrested development, reminiscent of childhood. As they physically mature, their mental faculties begin to deteriorate, rendering them naive, innocent, and utterly dependent. This inexplicable condition, often referred to as a "family curse," makes them seemingly oblivious to the world around them, leaving them prone to making erratic decisions that frequently land them in trouble. To navigate this treacherous landscape, the family employs a stoic and compassionate chauffeur, Caretaker Ralph Smilley, who looks after the Merryes with a mix of paternal affection and detached professionalism. Smilley serves as a surrogate father, shielding the family from the outside world while maintaining a careful balance between his loyalty to the family and his own moral sense of responsibility. Through his character, the film raises questions about the nature of care and the consequences of prolonged guardianship, which blurs the lines between protection and exploitation. The introduction of outside forces sets the stage for a catastrophic showdown between the Merrye family and the individuals who seek to exploit their inheritance. A group of unscrupulous distant relatives, driven by greed and avarice, arrives with their shrewd lawyer, determined to strip the family of its ancestral home and fortune. To their surprise, they find themselves facing a trio of children trapped in a never-ending cycle of childhood, who possess an unsettling, almost innocent, understanding of the world. The family's predicament is both poignant and terrifying, as they are confronted with the cruel realities of their situation. As they try to comprehend the intentions of these outsiders, their actions become increasingly erratic, resulting in a tragic series of events. Their naivety and vulnerability make them both sympathetic figures and unwitting antagonists, their actions escalating the chaos that unfolds in the mansion. Clavell's direction masterfully captures the claustrophobic atmosphere of the dilapidated mansion, which serves as a symbol of the family's emotional and mental confinement. The film's black-and-white cinematography adds to the sense of unease, heightening the tension and foreboding that pervades the narrative. The cast delivers performances that are both convincing and unnerving, particularly the child actors, who bring a haunting authenticity to their portrayals. As the events reach a breaking point, the Merrye family's fate becomes increasingly entwined with that of their guardians and the ruthless strangers who seek to exploit them. The film hurtles toward a tragic conclusion, one that is both devastating and thought-provoking, raising fundamental questions about the nature of family, care, and what it means to be human. In the end, Spider Baby leaves viewers with an unsettling sense of unease, a lasting impression that lingers long after the credits roll.