Movie Review – ‘Marrowbone’ (2018) Is Hauntingly Devastating

Every time I’m super excited about seeing a film, I get a little nervous that it won’t live up to my expectations. Does that mean it still can’t be good? Of course not. There are just some movies I expect more from, and one of those was 2018’s Marrowbone. Something about Marrowbone – the trailer? the plot? the cast? – sent chills down my spine from the very beginning. It appeared to be a truly creepy story. But was it? Read on and find out!

Also known as The Secret of Marrowbone, this new horror thriller is directed and written by Sergio G. Sánchez’s (The Orphange). The cast includes George MacKay (Peter Pan), Anya Taylor-Joy (The Witch), Charlie Heaton (Stranger Things), Mia Goth (A Cure For Wellness), and Matthew Stagg (Macbeth).

Official Synopsis for Marrowbone:

A young man and his three younger siblings, who have kept secret the death of their beloved mother in order to remain together, are plagued by a sinister presence in the sprawling manor in which they live.

I’m delighted to say that Marrowbone was everything I had hoped it would be. It was hauntingly devastating and delivered a true horror tale on many levels. Along with a very unique story, the performances and character development were executed perfectly, and had several twists and turns that kept me on my toes.

I loved the story. Time pieces work beautifully for horror stories, especially in this one. Although you have an idea of what is going on, there is an uncertainty that prevails throughout the entire film. One thing the audience knows for sure is that the family is very close, is protective, and has a horrible past that continues to haunt them.

All of the performances were amazing, but I will say George McKay, Charlie Heaton, and Anya Taylor Joy gave it their all. Their characters put you through a whirlwind of emotions, especially George McKay’s Jack. It was powerful, gut-wrenching, and made me feel utterly helpless, which is not a feeling one ever wants to feel, but it stands as an impressive thing when it’s done through a film.

The twists and turns come out of nowhere, and they left me me shocked and devastated. Just when I thought it can’t get any worse, it did. It dropped me on the edge of a serious emotional breakdown as I watched these characters go through one of the worst pains possible.

Final Thoughts on Marrowbone:

If you love horror time pieces with hauntingly devastating stories, then Marrowbone is the film for you. The performances are top notch, and the twists and turns will leave you thinking about them long after the credits roll. As of right now, it definitely makes my top 10 favorite films of 2018. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!