It begins with milk and cookies. That cozy domestic image, twisted by the line “I'll be a good mother,” and you know Destry Allyn Spielberg is up to something dark—and so are we. Her feature directorial debut, Please Don't Feed the Children, drops straight to Tubi on June 27, 2025, after a modest world premiere at Sitges last October. You can catch the exclusive trailer now on Tubi or through People's preview.
A familiar premise with fresh tension
It's the end of the world for adults. A virus wipes them out. Orphans roam America's devastated highways. And they stumble upon a house—hostage to Michelle Dockery, delivering creepy hospitality with a sinister edge. Giancarlo Esposito lurks in the ensemble, but Dockery owns every frame, approaching maternal mania with quiet menace .
Style, substance—and sharp edges
Spielberg stages with a minimalist horror aesthetic—empty roads, one rural house, the crack of silence before violence. But sometimes it feels contained, too muted; like a thriller whispered under its breath. It's promising sibling to The Road or A Quiet Place—but darker, bleaker, more intimate. Still, when Dockery flips, it lands. Those moments pulse.
Industry context: debut on a dime
This is Spielberg's first feature-length credit, following shorts like Rosie and Let Me Go (The Right Way). Her short work caught the eye of producers tied to John Wick—a leap of faith into lightning‑rod territory. She had the luxury of filming in New Mexico during SAG‑AFTRA, using an interim agreement—bold move.
Why it matters (and what stings)
- Historic indie release model. Tubi picked it up for U.S. and Canada streaming. A free model for rising horror directors.
- A Spielberg doing horror? Daughter of Jaws itself, flipping genre upside down. Her father even called it “exciting” on SmartLess.
- Weak points. Critics at Sitges called it “forgettable,” a “meh” entry in post‑apocalyptic cinema. That undercurrent—good idea, small execution.
Verdict: Worth streaming—if only to see where she goes next
This isn't DuVernay‑level. It isn't Cuarón‑deep. And it's definitely no E.T. But it's a debut. It wears its limitations—for better or worse. Dockery's chilling unpredictability is the spark, Spielberg's confidence the engine. Maybe the plot feels claustrophobic. Maybe the reveal is underwhelming. But the promise? Felt.
Should you watch June 27? Yeah. Free streaming. Unique tone. A glimpse at a new voice in genre filmmaking. And who doesn't want to see a Spielberg confront horror tropes with something visceral and personal?
