Honey Bunch

TIFF REVIEW: BY DARREN ZAKUS

September 4, 2025

3.5 OUT OF 5 STARS

Honey Bunch packs a nerve wracking tension, paranoia and relationship drama in filmmaking duo Dusty Mancinelli and Madeleine Sims-Fewer’s second feature film, whose talented vision for creating a deeply unsettling world for the story to unfold in that when paired with its strong cast, results in a great thriller that will keep audiences on their toes and their emotions heightened throughout.

Thrillers are tricky, because once you have seen enough of them, you can begin to predict the many twists and turns that this genre can throw at you. But, Canadian filmmakers Dusty Mancinelli and Madeleine Sims-Fewer manage to still shock and surprise viewers in their second feature film Honey Bunch, keeping audiences guessing as to where this thriller is narratively going. While the plot beats that set the events of the story into motion may feel familiar, the story’s direction is shrouded in complete mystery that when bolstered by the eerie atmosphere of the film created by the cinematography, sound design and production design and the film’s cast led by Grace Glowicki and Ben Petrie, Honey Bunch becomes a mind bending and intelligent thriller that spins an intricate web of deception, danger and ethics that is certain to startle viewers in the best way possible.

From the beginning of Honey Bunch, it is evident that there is something not right about Diana’s circumstances, and the screenplay does not shy away from this. Instead, it quickly jumps into the bag of tricks that often accompany the thriller genre, building a sense of mystery and a sinister undertone throughout the film’s first two acts. Whether it be the secretive conversations between Diana’s husband Homer and Joseph, the father of the other patient, hinting at a familiarity outside of the facility and not telling their loved ones the full story of the reason behind their stay in the facility, the increasingly frequent and vivid hallucinations of Diana that may be forgotten memories from before her accident, or the seemingly strange healing practices of the facility, there are numerous warning signs for both the audience and Diana. But, while the audience knows the shoe is about to drop and all is to be revealed as to what is actually happening to Diana, Mancinelli and Sims-Fewer’s screenplay never make it obvious what is about to come.

When all is finally revealed as the film enters into its third and final act, there is a shift in tone that is a welcoming conclusion for this story. While Hollywood would have gone for a show-stopping final act full of spectacle, as has been seen with similar films such as Shutter Island and A Cure for Wellness, Mancinelli and Sims-Fewer instead provide a more thematic discussion that creates a riveting conclusion to their story. Exploring what the reveal means to both Diana and Homer, within a rich unpacking of the themes, ethics and morals of what is actually happening at the core of Honey Bunch, the film complete the character arcs with a tenderness and satisfaction the delivers the ending that both these characters and the audience deserve.

Echoing the paranoia and fear of Diana, the production design and overall design of the film conveys the same fear to viewers. The set decoration of the facility where Diana is recovering at is effective, making the location feel old and mysterious due to the contents within the building and the weathered appearance of the building. Outside the house, there is a dense forest and overwhelming amount of greenery that, while maintained, feels like it is preventing Diana from leaving and learning the truth behind her accident. Combined with the eerie mist that appears at nighttime, it all works together to create an uneasy environment for the story to unfold in and helps to confirm Diana’s suspicion that there is something being hidden from her. Startling music choices that evoke a sense of horror with large, striking sounds toys with the audiences senses, and the colour grading of the film utilizing lots of murky greens and blues during the nighttime sequences and faded yellows during the daytime to remove any vibrancy from the film’s colour scheme, echoing the unsettling story that unfolds. These creative choices instill a sense of secrecy and untrustworthiness in what the audience and Diana are being shown, only making her hallucinations more concerning and helps to build towards the reveal of what is actually happening at this health facility.

Matching the craftsmanship of the film’s technical crew is the lead cast, with the film largely resting on the shoulders of Glowicki and Petrie. Glowicki becomes the audiences’ entry point into this story as Diana, building the fear and paranoia of the story through her performance as Diana quickly begins to suspect that not only is there something unnatural about this recovery facility, but something in her past that her husband is hiding from her. As the story progresses, the complexity of the role becomes more evident, but Glowicki never falters for a second and delivers a great performance that captures the nuances, emotions and strength of Diana at every turn. Opposite her, Petrie is everything that the film needs as Diana’s husband Homer, bringing a mysterious energy to the film as he knows secrets about Diana’s accident and their relationship that he is holding back from her. At the same time, he brings an undeniable compassion and care for Diana that creates an uncomfortable relationship, which builds for a big payoff in the film’s final act. The supporting cast packs some big talent with Jason Isaacs, Kate Dickie, and Julian Richings, all of whom seamlessly become part of Honey Bunch’s intriguing mystery, while Patricia Tulasne, India Brown and Jesse LaVercombe round of the film’s strong cast that bring to life this engrossing yet unsettling thriller.

Eerie, disturbing and yet beautiful, Honey Bunch plays out like a siren’s call as it slowly draws the audience into its mysterious story and entrances them from start to finish. Dusty Mancinelli and Madeleine Sims-Fewer, as both writers and directors, play mind games on the audience with the immersive experience they conjure up with the sound design, unique use of colour and set design to leave viewers uneasy in their seats, while telling a haunting story that viewers won’t soon forget… but in a good way. Delivering one of the most intriguing pieces of narrative based Canadian cinema of the year, Honey Bunch is a bewitching experience that immerses the audience in Diana’s chilling tale that with the great performances of Grace Glowicki and Ben Petrie and talented direction and writing of Dusty Mancinelli and Madeleine Sims-Fewer, creating the perfect blend of thrilling storytelling and beautiful visuals.