User reviews

Well, at least the cover/poster for "Ash and Bone" looked interesting.

But I am getting ahead of myself here. I stumbled upon the 2022 horror movie "Ash and Bone" here late in 2022. And with it being a movie that I hadn't aready seen, and with me assuming it was a horror movie from the cover, then of course I had to see what writer Bret Miller and director Harley Wallen had to offer.

And it wasn't actually a whole lot. The script and storyline in "Ash and Bone" was mundane and bland. There wasn't much of anything exciting, scary or thrilling going on throughout the 97 minutes that the movie ran for, and that made it a rather prolonged movie experience to sit through.

I wasn't familiar with a single actor or actress on the cast list, and that is something that I enjoy when watching movies; getting to see new talents on the screen. And while the performers didn't have an abundance of workable material from the script, character gallery and dialogue, then they actually still managed to put on fair enough performances.

Visually then you're not in for a particular grand treat here. "Ash and Bone" is not a movie that makes use of a lot of special effects, so don't get your hopes up on that account.

This is not a horror movie that I would recommend for fans of the horror genre, because it was a pretty weak foray into the genre. Ultimately then the movie's cover/poster was the best thing about this ordeal.

My rating of director Harley Wallen's 2022 movie "Ash and Bone" lands on a generous three out of ten stars.

I got reeled in by the good reviews but suspect most of them aren't impartial. This movie is slow paced and there's nothing that you haven't seen a hundred times before. It's not bad enough to turn off but not good enough to enjoy, which is a particular type of torment.

I've no issue with indie horror and have some in my top 10 but unfortunately this isn't one of them, or indeed in the top 100.

There's a lack of action, gore and even the storyline doesn't provide anything worthwhile. If there was a generic horror storyline app then this is what it would produce. Best avoided and not with the time.

This really deserves maybe a 3/10 at the absolute max, but obvious fake reviews and ratings will deceive people into thinking it's worth watching. It's not.

I have nothing against low budget indie films. Unfortunately this one is simply not good. The acting is bad, the characters and the script are bad, the story is so predictable and really not that interesting. This feels like something that's been done many times before.

The final scene was just weird and out of place.

I really don't have anything positive to say about this movie. Don't waste your time with it, and definitely don't believe the 9 and 10 star ratings and reviews.

Ok, I like indie movies, but what was this. Some of the cast were OK, but most of them horrendous. Obviously made up reviews. The story very hollow, and the situations the main characters get into not believable att all.

I expcct this to be below 4 in no time. At least my evening looking forward to a new great indie flick was wasted.

Camera work and dialouge sub-par, and story old as hell. It has a few qualities, especially the couple hanging out in the bar, but the main character and her friend (they hang out in the beginning) must have taken acting classes from a coupon found under someones shoe.

Do not watch.

I like indie films. But right from the beginning I knew it was a mistake to stream this film. The direction is rudimentary and continues to be so for the remainder of the slow movie.

The cast is a little confusing too because the stepmother looks like she's the same age as the dad's goth daughter.

And the crypt keeper bar tender has the weirdest hair on the planet. I think they dyed his scalp black and his grey hair is poking thru!!!! Not kidding.

And that brings us to the acting, which is pretty bad. The writing is not great, but it could have been under the helm of a more talented wordsmith.

In other words, it could have beeen a way better movie with talent across the board.

It's not often lately I find a horror movie that's character and story driven like this. I laughed at or with the villains and their crazy ways and inbred logic. I related to the family situation and my ultimate favorite was Jamie's character and her boyfriend or whatever they were.

Spoilers coming but I'll try to be generic. I also kept feeling the old creepy bartender was in on it somehow. And the sheriff was kind of sketchy but he got his haha chop chop.

I thought I'd watched all the horror movies of the season but caught this in the tail end and I must say it was very much worth it! It kept me entertained the whole time although the set up is definitely slower than I'd normally like. Don't turn it off it's worth it! Side note the crazy villain lady was some of the best acting I've seen in a minute!

The story is very basic and has been done 100s of times the acting is horrible 1 actress is decent shes 1 if I guess youd called a villian has no gore some us implied but they dont show it the tension isnt there cause of bad acting and mediocre filming . I would say it's a slasher wanna be and a thriller wanna be but doesn't accomplish either. I was going to turn it off but it's free on my Amazon prime and its horror so 7 out if 10 are junk anyway so what the heck. Usually when they get 5.8 and 5.9s I love them but this 1 is a loser. I think it's getting harder because we have so many streaming companies and the usual suspects that need films so they have to accept crap and in return people's standards are getting lowered.

I really liked this film! I appreciate horror films that don't rely on over-the-top graphic violence and/or nudity. I love violence in films, but there are far too many filmmakers, especially in the horror genre, that think that violence, sex, nudity, or a lot of profanity will disguise the fact that they lack solid storytelling. In 'Ash and Bone', writer Bret Miller takes a few popular themes, such as a troubled teenage girl who is warring with her step-mom, a small town with dark secrets, and hillbilly siblings with a penchant for evildoing, and nicely weaves them into a cohesive story. There's enough suspense, violence, blood, and cringe-worthy moments to keep things interesting, while maintaining a truly character driven endeavor. The performances are very good across the board, but Erika Hoveland and Jimmy Doom really stand out as the twisted sister/brother duo. Producers Harley Wallén and Kaiti Wallén successfully deliver an entertaining horror film.

Even the antagonists' evil is layered and multi-faceted, with a selection of traits that veer them away from the usual cliche territory. There's detail and depth to every character with multiple backstories that give us a creative sense of diverse deep-dive. I do feel like the protagonists were a bit too cliche for my liking, with some exchanges that felt too typical of the dramatics that horror leans into, but slashers tend to be strengthened by their villains, so cliche protagonists aren't too much of a deal breaker.

Color theming is used for selective creative mood amplifying here. Many scenes are improved by the tactical boost of colors, and the cinematography borrows from both older and modern films to achieve great shots. Violence, likewise, has blood used for precise impact, and shots apply a portrait-focused feature to highlight emotional expression as well as the sadistic and predatory nature of the antagonists. As well as selective lighting and shadow use for proper ominous toning....... As previously mentioned, performances have more range than the usual norm, with performances having that added realism and variety. Jimmy Doom, Jamie Bernadette, Calhoun Koenig, and Kimberly Cruchon Brooks stand out especially, but everyone does a sufficiently great job in making their characters screen time memorable.

There are a few noted instances of character voices sounding a bit too quiet and far away, probably more due to mic placement or just set acoustics, but still noted. You probably won't notice it, especially if you use headphones. Otherwise, the score focuses on more of the older use of dread building and tension raising with some slow building compositions. Sound effects have their satisfying crunches and snaps for the scenes that need it, so you'll get the satisfying noises accompanying the more gruesome bits.

Ash and Bone is a more than satisfying slasher flick, little issues aside. This is a film for those looking for a slasher that properly mixes modern and older creative techniques.

The american forested wilderness, where strange civilisations may form due to vast distances between humans as this films plot unfolds, its a horrorthriller for sure, bloody too, so beware to step out of the main road, you might be clawn to pieces by an inbread or two if you come too close.

Its a film with an ok script and plot, why (?) the madness, is not elaborated, the economic foundation on this project is reet petit, and the cast is nor the biggest, the steadiest or most groomed within the actors guild. Some may say they are modest, but except for a liplick outta nerves, and eyes looking in the wrong direction her'n'der, along with some missing the touch of timing and force behind the spoken word, they are delivering well. I really liked the pigfarmerlike madman, with a scorned ''blackbeard'' voice, he saves the crumbs for sure.

So with a little bit blood and gore i will give this a small ''goahead'', its not blockbusting, also not boring comes with a 6 from the grumpy old man.

Okay horror about a family that leaves Detroit to stay at the old family cabin in the country. It's step-mom, dad and the daughter, who has a chip on her shoulder and is in the throes of rebellion against her daddy, partly because her mom died? Anyway, miss goth/metal daughter steals daddy's car, hits the local watering hole in the country village with her trusty fake ID, picks up a couple of new friends, and they go exploring in the nearest scary house, except, and I know people do dumb things in horrors, it's my favorite genre, but just how stupid is you if you go into a haunted house to explore when people still live in the house? Anyway, there's all sorts of family gruesomeness and sex-serial-killing and cannibalism in that house, but there's only one good thing either there or in this movie and that is Erika Hoveland as the bad-girl in the bad-family.

The story is about a troubled teenage girl and her family takes time away from the city life to stay at a vacation cabin in the country to help their daughter keep out of trouble. The girl like any teenager rebels against her family and takes the family van to a nearby town bar to blow off steam. She gets in a minor scuff with a bar goer and meets a couple that visits the bar frequently.

In a conversation the couple talks about local legends one involving a house that a brother and sister is said to live in but no one sees them.

The girl is interested in seeing this house and convinces the couple to go and check it out.

With hesitant the couple tries to convince the girl to stop buy proceeds to explore the house, moments later a scruffy man is heard and muttering to himself and his sister behind. In a panic the couple and the girl rushes out of the house alerting the two homesteaders, the woman fires her weapon at the trespassers.

From this point on the brother and sister assailants are hell bent and want blood for disturbing their home.

The story is a slow burn with familiar faces of the cast from Harley's previous films, it is jam packed with drama that is displayed by the family. The story however lacks a strong Horror element in which is about two crazy siblings that should be more vigilant on stalking and hunting those who dare come across their side of the fence.

The family has most of the spotlight and the crazed siblings are in the dark with a minor appearance. This film is good for its drama and story trailing but it may not be a Horror thrill for those looking for a good time.

So we got some hillbillies who get high and drink and go hunting people, I mean seems legit right? You hear about these kinds of things all the time!!! So they have this pretty nice house in the boonies and they like to lock people in the basement and film them being tortured!!!

Oh man the fake hillbilly voice from the guy is hugely annoying. Ruh roh, then the hillbillies get mad at each other. And the day is saved when the angry 28 year old teenager goes mad and kills all the bad people. No spoilers. You knew it was going to happen that way.

And then, the stage is set for the victim to become the new killer. Sequel is Coming!!!

3/10.

This was a lot of fun and a pretty unique horror movie as it was almost a drama at times, but I like a little depth to my stories and characters so this really worked for me! It definitely gets a high grade for acting especially considering it's an independent film. The other thing I really like is the music and how the music was used, it's definitely pretty edgy, great storyline, killer characters, camera work and the music was awesome! Big Twiztid fan and that was perfect to end the movie on for me! It was a little dark at times but if you watch it after dark without a bunch of lights and glares it actually looks really good and you can see they put a lot of attention on their cinematography and lighting.

If Rob Zombie, Wes Craven and Stephen King had a baby it's name would be Ash and Bone!! I for one hope there is a prequel and sequel!! I highly recommend it but if you're after a high kill count, T&A or cheese toast this may not be your cup of tea.

Get real! This is not a 10. I give every movie 30 minutes to convince me that it is worth watching. After 30 minutes the sheriff arrives and it looks like the poor sheriff hasn't got a proper police car. I feel so sorry for him driving around in his private car.

The plot of this movie is so uninteresting. There is no need of copy-cat backwoods-horror-movies. What can be the reason to watch a boring third rate movie?

When this movie is a 10, Nightmare on Elm Street is a 100. I just hope the ensemble enjoyed making this movie, so at least someone had fun.

Please watch something else.............

All critical comments I made for this movie have been deleted. However, they received high usefulness votes. As if the torture I experienced while watching it wasn't enough, it was also made impossible to warn those who were considering watching the movie. The movie entered the list with very high scores and comments. Over time, his score decreased and he came here. In my opinion, it still ranks very high.

Amateur movies are made. Some of them are very beautiful. But neither the acting nor the scenes are good in this movie. There is a dirty man and his scariness comes from his dirt. And an ugly woman. It's really very creative. Also, even the endings of the action scenes cannot be shown. It's truly helplessness. It's one of the rare movies that makes me angry after watching it. I hope 10 more episodes will be shot as a series. Since there are those who see it as 9 points.

Trying to bring their family together, a man brings his rebellious teenage daughter and new wife along on a family trip out to the wilderness for some time together, but their chances are impeded when a psychotic incestual cannibal family starts to hunt them down and kill them.

This was an enjoyable enough if highly flawed effort. One of the better features here is the nice and quick pace that, despite some of the issues involved here, manages to keep it enjoyable enough throughout here. With the immediacy we get to know about the family and their struggles which sets up the daughter leaving and gaining the friends who sneak out to the house, the setup here comes off quite nicely to get to the action quickly. The finale also manages to be quite fun due to this with the eventual invasion of their house which has some hard-hitting confrontations involved, giving this enough to like to hold it up. There are some big flaws here. One of the bigger drawbacks is the incredibly rushed and uninvolved storyline that never really brings any kind of investment into what's going on. Spending all of five seconds to get a stereotypical stepmom/stepdaughter relationship involving a moody Goth teenager rebelling against her parents, this plays into the contrived setup of how they get into trouble with the couple getting comfortable spelling out what to do and suggesting the visit almost immediately with no setup or connection which all reeks of contrivance to move the film along rather than doing something different with its setup. That's not helped by the film's worst culprit in the most obnoxiously stereotypical villains to exist in this kind of film. Relying on the tired and cliched notion of a psychotic backwoods family that gets away with all kinds of cruel and barbaric tortures that everyone in town seemingly knows about in dark whispers but does nothing about makes this far less imposing and devastating than it should be. Instead of getting swept up in the terror of what's going on, the obviously cliched and overwhelming amount of familiarity featured here keeps this one feeling formulaic and unoriginal. On top of all that, the film struggles with an unfortunate lack of overt genre brutality in what should've been a story rife with such material. As all the storylines here eventually involve the psychotic couple being a cannibalistic incestual pair of brother and sister, nothing is really made of it with nearly every sort of kill happening off-screen and no hint of cannibalism or incest suggested. All we get is dialog hinting that each of these traits occurs, but that's it and a distressing detail involving their series of snuff tapes about the murders is never shown making that a huge missed opportunity as well. These factors end up doing a lot of damage to the film.

Rated Unrated/R: Graphic Language and Graphic Violence.

I am a movie fan first so I may not speak for the horror fringe but I'll try to see if I can help shed some light on the "fan reviews" other than saying "opinions are like ....."

This flick has balance in story telling, drama and using elements other than gore and nudity or other forms of exploitation and that may or may not be everyone's cup of tea.. To call it crap or waste of time is absurd especially looking at the critics (who almost have consensus that this is anywhere from a pretty good flick to a very good flick. I looked at the film festival accolades and that should tell anyone that hesitates they this is at the very least good!

It starts hot and then goes into a drama phase to set up the story (so that you care about the people in distress). If you're after a kill count movie - this is not your movie. I also saw some cinematography discrepancies as far as reviews and that was probably my highlight actually. Clever shots that tell the story and excellent lighting although a bit dark at times and a bit close up heavy but I get the choices and would definitely recommend this (already have privately) but if you like WWE wrestling over Boxing it may go over your head lol.

Looking at the big split in "audience reviews" it's clear that there are some with an axe to grind and they're trying to sabotage and that's disturbing and appalling for sure. For an independent film to break through to the mainstream without placement the way this film has done is almost unheard of.. So if you're still on the fence about this movie let me try and help.

Festival awards and nominations across the globe in festivals that's been around 10, 20 years and more.

Over 30 critics are saying great things about the film and rating it between good and great.

It has literally trended almost non-stop since it's release on multiple platforms with huge subscriber bases and still is 3 1/2 months later..

So I guess you can listen to the haters or check it out for yourself..

Several of the negative reviewers claim to watch a lot of indie horror movies, but if that was true they'd acknowledge this movie is BETTER than most low budget indie efforts. I watch A LOT of indie horror movies on Tubi and this one is more polished and well acted than most of them. Part horror, part mystery, director Harley Wallen has put together a well paced thriller. With solid performances by Angelina Danielle Cama and Anna Lambeth, this movie is more character driven than your average horror slasher. The special effects look good, and the story by Bret Miller will keep you guessing. If you like low budget horror, this movie is definitely worth a watch.

This movie kept coming up on my feed on Vudu and I almost watched it a couple of times but always found something else. Well it started showing up on Tubi too and I finally gave in and I'm glad I did.. this movie has a great recipe of acting, camera work, music and effects and story with some effects somehow it's a really good movie. It's definitely a worthwhile movie especially if you're into good stories and acting. If thriller movies is your thing this is one you weren't want to miss. I recommend it, ignore the haters and watch it. I'm rating this a 8 to help out the score. Support Ash and Bone!

Ok, saw this trending so decided to give it a go since I like horror even though I never seen or heard anyone in it (no offense if you're famous) but I really like it. I like that there is an actual story since that's pretty rare, I like that they put effort into the character and the dialogue (another rarity these days) it's like an indie film version of a studio movie.. the family was good, the crazy trio was fun but the villains were the best! I like how they used red herrings like the guy at the bar, the bartender, the gun salesman and the sheriff.. made me wonder for sure! And not too blatant of a sequel set up but a pretty satisfactory ending too.. I really dig it, sweet flick I'll for sure rewatch!

It's not often lately I find a horror movie that's character and story driven like this. I laughed at or with the villains and their crazy ways and strange logic. I related to the family situation and my ultimate favorite was Jamie's character and her boyfriend or who knows what they were.

I also kept feeling the old creepy bartender was in on it somehow. And the sheriff was kind of sketchy but he got his haha chop chop. I thought I'd watched all the horror movies of the season but caught this in the tail end and I must say it was very much worth it!

It kept me entertained the whole time although the set up is definitely slower than I'd normally like. Don't turn it off it's worth it! Side note the crazy villain lady was some of the best acting I've seen in a minute!