Honey Bunch builds a mighty engine of dread on naturalistic performances. Every role is played with fire and authenticity, starting with Glowicki and Petrie (who are a couple in real life). There’s also the mystery of Farah and her husband Delwyn (Julian Richings). His mind is unfocused, and she corrects him gently, reminding him to use mnemonic devices for his tasks. One wonders if Delwyn isn’t a product of the treatment, and if his level of cognition is considered “success.”
This is the second feature from Sims-Fewer and Mancinelli. Their debut film, Violation, is a searing journey into bloody revenge after a woman is betrayed by a family member. The secret sauce to these filmmakers’ effectiveness is a realistically banal setup that doesn’t initially demand suspension of disbelief. A typical horror film announces its intentions in myriad ways, but Violation and Honey Bunch start with people having ordinary experiences, and they develop as any drama would. Then comes an unpredictable turn, and they shift gears into a world of pure horror. There is no mercy shown to the viewer.
“…a romance, a psychodrama thriller, and a horror film…”
Of course, having read this review, you have been forewarned and may not feel that natural shock, but it might sneak up on you. Sims-Fewer and Mancinelli bring the darkness in stealthily. The opening act of the film is foreboding in subtle ways, but we are never sure what’s next.
Is Honey Bunch a romance, a psychodrama thriller, or a horror film? The answer is yes to all of the above, and we are put on notice that Sims-Fewer and Mancinelli are not interested in the usual cinematic rules of engagement. We connect with each character and dread what their fate might be, right up to the end credits. Take the ride and find out for yourself. You will never know what’s coming
Honey Bunch screened at the 2025 Fantastic Fest.
"…builds a mighty engine of dread..."
