A couple is drawn into a reclusive, mysterious, retro-styled experiment where reality, memory, and identity begin to blur.
Intriguing concept, but lacks emotion.
Shudder and XYZ Films… what can go wrong, right? On paper, not much. And to be fair, Honey Bunch carries a lot going for it. From the outset, it leans heavily into a nostalgic 1970s aesthetic – grainy textures, muted palettes, and a deliberate, steady pacing that feels almost hypnotic. There is a clear commitment to atmosphere, and visually, the film knows exactly what it wants to be.
Conceptually, too, it intrigues. There is an idea that invites curiosity, even unease. But here lies the catch: while intriguing, it is not particularly new. We’ve seen variations of this premise before, explored through sharper scripts or more emotionally engaging narratives – no spoilers. Producers/writers/directors Dusty Mancinelli and Madeleine Sims-Fewer’s Honey Bunch doesn’t necessarily add to that conversation – it simply revisits it.
And then comes the execution… For a film that positions itself somewhere between horror, sci-fi, and thriller, it ultimately settles – somewhat uncertainly – into sci-fi, with faint traces of thriller and almost no horror to speak of. The tension never quite materialises. The fear never lands. Even the dramatic beats, clearly designed to resonate, feel muted like the palettes. It is not that the film lacks intent – it is that it struggles to translate that intent into emotional impact.
Which makes the rare moments that do work stand out even more. Oscar Isaac, as expected, delivers that emotion the film lacks. There is a particular scene involving the also-amazing India Brown that briefly shortens the film’s emotional distance – an exchange that corroborates what the film could have been had it leaned more into its human aspect. Lead actors Grace Glowicki and Ben Petrie are great in their roles, but their characters don’t allow them to express the raw emotions that should have been expressed if anyone found themselves in a situation like theirs.
It would be easy to dismiss Honey Bunch, but that wouldn’t be entirely fair. It is a decent film – thoughtful, atmospheric, and clearly intentional thriller. It simply didn’t connect, at least not consistently. That said, there is undoubtedly an audience for this kind of slow-burn, aesthetically driven storytelling. I just wasn’t fully part of it.
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