I genuinely did not see Honey Bunch coming.
Written and directed by Madeleine Sims-Fewer & Dusty Mancinelli, Honey Bunch tells the story of Diana (Grace Glowicki), a woman paralyzed by a traumatic accident. After traditional medicine fails them, Diana’s husband, Homer (Ben Petrie), brings her to an experimental facility deep in the wilderness. As the treatments continue, Diana’s memories begin to flood back into her mind, creating a disconnect between what’s real and what seems like impossible truths about her marriage.
Bathed in sepia tones, Honey Bunch feels like the fractured fairytale of a bygone era. Set in the 1970s, the film’s colour and style lean into the psychological thrillers of the era. Part horror, part sci-fi and part marriage drama, this is a film that keeps the viewer off-kilter. As Diana moves through her procedure, her procedure continues to eat away at the stability of her psyche. With each vision and memory that resurrects within her mind, Bunch feels like it moves closer (and further) from the truth that it seeks.
And, trust me. Honey, this Bunch has a LOT on its mind.
Savvy and smart, Honey Bunch becomes an incisive look at the dividing line between positive and poisonous relationships. Without giving any spoilers (which is essential to a film of this nature), Sims-Fewer & Mancinelli weave a complex web of truth and lies on the search for what defines a healthy relationship. And, sometimes, the conclusions that their characters come to are honest and heartfelt. Other times… not so much.
Though the film is told from Diana’s perspective, every image seems to lead to more questions and horrifying truths about their relationship. Conversations surrounding gaslighting and abuse shake the foundations of Diana and Homer’s marriage, exposing its cracks and flaws along the way.
Credit must be given to some delicious performances by Petrie and Glowicki to bring the film to life. As Diana, Glowicki positively shines. Playing a woman whose world is slowly being stolen from her, the actress throws herself into the role. Though scared by her visions, the strength within her continues to grow. She is unpredictable and rightly frustrated by Homer’s behaviour and the secrets he appears to keep.
Meanwhile, Petrie plays his character with a mixture of maliciousness and compassion. We want to like him but every glance from Homer feels like he’s hiding something. In a world of absolutely chaos, Homer says the right words and seems to care about his wife but still… something seems… off about him. In this way, Petrie brings an endearing aloofness to his performance that borders on sinister. Is this an elaborate scheme to control his wife and keep her under his will? Or is he genuine about his intent to help her heal? At all times, Petrie keeps us guessing.
Together, the duo creates a tension between them that feels both healthy and toxic. Their love feels like a façade but also authentic at the same time. (It’s also worth noting that the duo are also married to one another in real life, adding another layer of fascination to their work here.) As truths are revealed—and you genuinely don’t know what’s coming—Homer and Diana are brought closer to the edge of being torn asunder. Diana’s well-being feels lost in a relationship designed to keep her weakened.
After all, even the name Honey Bunch seems deliberately belittling.
To truly delve into the heart of a film like this would spoil the ride. However, it’s worth noting that Honey Bunch is a wild experience that’s filled with genuine surprises. This is a film that wants to underscore the ways that mistrust and lies can eat away at our souls, while looking for what creates a strong (or harmful) marriage in the process.
Honey Bunch is available in theatres now.
