‘Honey Bunch’ Review: Relationship Horror Leaves Little To Love

Just how much would you sacrifice for the person you love? That’s the central question explored in Honey Bunch, a new thriller by Toronto filmmakers Madeleine Sims-Fewer and Dusty Mancinelli, who previously made the film Violation (2020). The story follows Diana (Grace Glowicki), who, after an accident caused memory loss, is sent to a unique trauma center by her husband, Homer (Ben Petrie). Located in a secluded, old mansion surrounded by woods and a hedge maze, it quickly becomes clear that the center’s staff are concealing dark secrets.

Farah, who seems to be managing the center on her own, greets the couple as they try to adjust to their unusual surroundings. Diana feels increasingly uneasy and starts experiencing disturbing visions, which also unlock fragmented memories of the accident, her marriage, and what really happened to her. As she works to regain her ability to walk, things become even more difficult with the arrival of Joseph and his daughter, Josephina, who are also seeking help at the center.

Revealing too much of the story would ruin the experience, but the strong influence of Gore Verbinski’s Cure for Wellness that’s apparent at the beginning becomes even more obvious and direct as the film progresses. Verbinski’s 2016 movie was visually stunning, even if the plot was somewhat thin and unsettling. While Sims-Fewer and Mancinelli deliver impressive special effects and create a suitably dark atmosphere, their film feels less polished and ambitious in comparison, resembling a lower-budget production.

Shudder / Elevation Pictures

The movie is quite long, clocking in at almost two hours, and it definitely feels that way. It’s designed to look like a gritty, atmospheric horror film from the 1970s, and it uses artistic, dreamlike sequences and lengthy shots to create a specific mood. While these techniques maintain some level of interest, they feel forced at times. The story unfolds slowly, and although the payoff arrives, it isn’t significant enough to justify the drawn-out pace. Diana’s eventual understanding of the truth happens too gradually to have a strong impact, and often leaves the plot feeling more muddled. The film frequently feels like it’s hindering progress for the sake of the plot, and the characters often seem unintelligent, as if the story is driving their actions rather than the other way around.

The film’s location doesn’t help its case. While A Cure for Wellness made excellent use of its grand, mountaintop castle setting with impressive visuals, Honey Bunch feels lacking in comparison. The film relies heavily on shots of the estate and its surroundings, unintentionally emphasizing its limited resources. Horror films featuring old mansions in the woods are common, and this one doesn’t do much to differentiate itself. Even the indoor swimming pool feels uninspired, paling in comparison to a similar scene in the 1982 film Pieces, which, despite being more lighthearted, was ultimately more effective.

Shudder / Elevation Pictures

The strength of Honey Bunch lies in the relationship between its two main characters, Diana and Homer. It’s immediately clear that Homer is keeping secrets from Diana, which quickly strains their connection and makes the audience question if they were ever truly happy together. We might suspect Homer has always been manipulative and is now exploiting Diana’s memory loss. As the story unfolds, these suspicions intensify, and the mystery surrounding their situation becomes increasingly complicated.

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Glowicki and Petrie, who are partners both on and off screen, bring a comfortable familiarity to their roles, which somewhat compensates for less-than-stellar acting. The film, inspired by older, low-budget movies, doesn’t require incredibly polished performances, but compared to Dickie and Isaacs, who surprisingly deliver strong work, the leads feel a bit weak. However, the natural connection between Glowicki and Petrie ultimately shines through, particularly as their characters’ relationship deepens and reveals genuine emotion.

Shudder / Elevation Pictures

While Honey Bunch doesn’t quite succeed as a film, it’s not a total loss. Despite its predictable story and limited scope, it explores surprisingly deep themes of love, relationships, and self-discovery. It’s a film about understanding yourself and what you truly need from life and from a partner, which is quite moving considering its overall flaws.

2026-02-13 18:40

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