Mikes Film Talk

The 2022 horror film Ash and Bone is murder. If films like Deliverance did not keep you away from the countryside, this one will. Harley Wallen gives us a Goth girl rebel who gets her family in trouble.

The Ash and Bone Story

Cassie, a Goth, gets in trouble in Detroit. Her family remove her from temptation and they head to small town USA. This is dad Lucas’ old hometown. Once there, they learn that there is a lot worse things than stealing a cop car. Soon, the Vanderbilt fam are fighting for their lives.

The Cast

Jamie Bernadette is Anna Lambeth.

Angelina Danielle Cama is Cassie Vanderbilt.

Harley Wallen is Lucas Vanderbilt.

Kaiti Wallen is Sarah Vanderbilt.

Erika Hoveland is May McKinley.

Jimmy Doom is Clete McKinley.

Shane Hagedorn is Sheriff Vincent.

Cameo’s

Michael James Alexander as a biker.

Mel Novak is Louis the bartender.

Let’s Talk Murder

Screenplay writer Bret Miller has taken a “bit of this and that” to build this world of murder and rape. The murderous McKinley’s feel close cousins to Kenneth Lake and Charles Ng. These sexual predators kidnapped, raped and tortured a number of innocents in the early 80’s.

Taking into account the “couple” here, he also could have used the infamous Ken and Barbie killers from Canada. However, this is film land. Clearly there is no doubt that The Hills Have Eyes had a part to play here. There is also a good dose of Wrong Turn evident as well.

Although, the McKinley’s are a good deal more articulate than Poppa Jupes’ fam. Plus they are miles above the inbred cannibals in Wrong Turn.

But.

Miller, with some able direction from Wallen, give us deviance with the brother/sister tag team from hell. Later, we learn that they have an ace in the hole. Ultimately, however, it does not really matter.

*There is also just a touch of Wes Craven’s Last House on the Left. Insofar as the “innocent” family go up against the demons next door.*

Ash and Bone Works

The film works, this vicious blending of murderous tales takes down a road less traveled. There are a couple of tropes to be had for the asking, though. The rebellious teen, who is a Goth (That’s a bit different.) and the fear of guns. Neither of these spoil a darn thing though.

Ash and Bone puts us in an uncomfortable place. While Jimmy Doom, as Clete may be channeling his inner Edmond O’Brien (Especially the late actor’s laugh and metre.) this all works. The gore is not overboard. Yet, the violence is convincing and upsetting. This is rural horror done right.

We have no hillbilly cannibals running through the woods screaming. These two are intelligent enough to have survived without escaping into the underbrush.

Kudos

Cama proves that she is much more than a threatened heroine here. Her turn in Beneath Us All is miles from her role in that film. The Wallen’s continue to fill the shoes of their characters with panache. Hat’s off to Hoveland as May McKinley. She manages to make her character both terrifying and vulnerable. Quite a feat.

Hagedorn is spot on as the small town Sheriff with a secret . The legendary Mel Novak gives his all in one of his final roles. Behind the camera, DP and Editor Alex Gasparetto makes everything look as it should. Composer Simone Cilio gives us a soundtrack that is relevant to the story and keeps things moving nicely.

The Verdict

Ash and Bone earns a solid 5 stars. Wallen gives us the perfect mix of cast, story and pacing to deliver a winner. As we get closer to Halloween season, do yourself a favour and watch this one. It is streaming on Prime, Tubi, Screambox, et al.

The Trailer