The Teen Horror romantic Film ‘Bones and All’ Review

Many people would say that horror films are a dying genre, with the notable exception of contemporary blockbuster hits like A Quiet Place. Yet there are still some excellent movies out there for those who don’t want to quench their thrill-seeking thirst with the latest release from Marvel or Pixar. One such example is “Bones and All,” a 2022 indie film directed by Luca Guadagnino that recently caused some controversy at its screening at the Cannes Film Festival. What makes “Bones and All” so affecting is that the director integrates vampire folklore with a genuinely human story of love, betrayal, and longing. Director Luca Guadagnino has chosen to explore cannibalism as a way to capture such universal themes as hunger, loss, rejection, and unrequited love. As seen in his previous film I Am Love (2009), Guadagnino’s lens is observant and sympathetic; the camera’s gaze tenderly follows the characters’ lives from their childhoods in an improbably golden Tuscan landscape to their post-apocalyptic adulthood.

Cast and Character:

• Taylor Russell as Maren Yearly
• Timothée Chalamet as Lee
• Mark Rylance as Sully
• André Holland as Frank Yearly
• Michael Stuhlbarg as Jake
• David Gordon Green as Brad
• Jessica Harper as Barbara Kerns
• Chloë Sevigny as Janelle Kerns
• Anna Cobb as Kayla
• Jake Horowitz as Lance
• Kendle Coffey as Sherry

Release Date:

The film was released on November 18, 2022, in the United States

What is the film about? 

Bones and All is a dark romantic thriller that tells the story of Millennia, a young woman with multiple personalities who struggles to survive in a world where her gifts are not celebrated. She navigates through this world on the margins-a world of socialites, cults, and border agents–until she meets Lee, a drifter with half his brain missing and who’s on the run. They embark on an unpredictable journey together as they come closer to figuring out their identities. The story deals with the loss of innocence and how a combination of past trauma and loss can create monsters, mental illness, and social class. Our audience is anyone interested in a complex story about love, identity, and finding your place as you grow older. 

What makes this film interesting? 

The film was like nothing I had ever seen before. It was a combination of cinematography, music, and directing style as well as a visually stimulating narrative that made this film so unique. In the end, it is an indie film with a big-budget feel. The movie is an adaptation of the graphic novel “Bones and All,” by  Camille DeAngelis. All of the actors were very talented and I enjoyed seeing them shine in such a small role in the film. Even though they only got a few minutes to show off their acting abilities, they still portrayed their characters very well. The cinematography was beautiful with natural scenery that complemented the story that is told. 

Who can watch this film? 

The movie is very specific, but I think anyone who likes horror films and in particular vampire films would enjoy watching this film. This film was both beautiful and disturbing to watch because it brings together two very different genres. The film was fast-moving which kept me engaged and wanting more but due to the slow start, it took a while for me to get into the film.