Film Review – Dust Bunny (2025)

      Dust Bunny, 2025.

      Written and Directed by Bryan Fuller.

      Featuring Sophie Sloan, Mads Mikkelsen, Sigourney Weaver, David Dastmalchian, Rebecca Henderson, Sheila Atim, and Nóra Trokán.

      SYNOPSIS:

      An eight-year-old girl seeks assistance from her cunning neighbor in eliminating the monster beneath her bed, which she believes is responsible for the disappearance of her family.

      Hannibal's creator Bryan Fuller reunites with star Mads Mikkelsen for Fuller’s directorial debut, Dust Bunny, a fun and entertaining light horror film that showcases sharp dialogue, a strong ensemble cast, and inventive action scenes involving various assassins and the titular creature.

      Mikkelsen plays a neighbor to a young girl named Aurora, portrayed by Sophie Sloan in her first feature role. After witnessing him eliminate multiple assassins, she solicits his help to kill the monster under her bed that has followed her from house to house. Sensing that there’s more to her story than just a child’s nightmare, he delves into her past even while being advised by his handler, the iconic Sigourney Weaver, to steer clear as other assassins close in. However, the reality is far darker than he anticipates.

      The strongest aspect of Dust Bunny lies in the chemistry between Mikkelsen and Sloan. Their witty exchanges bring Fuller’s clever script to life, as Sloan makes Aurora relatable while slightly exasperating Mikkelsen’s assassin. Their dynamic avoids the cliché of a hardened assassin who grows fond of a child; instead, Mikkelsen naturally feels protective of her, despite finding her monster claims and the ongoing joke about her name tedious. Sloan delivers a remarkable performance in her debut, skillfully portraying Aurora’s humor, fear, and determination while holding her own alongside Mikkelsen and Weaver.

      Mikkelsen imbues his unnamed assassin with depth through his interactions with Sloan, Weaver, and other characters. He employs a lot of dry humor in his expressions and mannerisms. Weaver may not have extensive screentime, but she maximizes her moments with her sharp wit and sarcastic commentary on Mikkelsen’s dilemmas. The rest of the cast, including David Dastmalchian, Sheila Atim, and Rebecca Henderson, offer solid performances that balance the drama and humor of their bizarre circumstances.

      Regarding the creature, named Dusty by Fuller, the film creatively integrates it throughout, incorporating an inventive handicap that enhances its scenes. The combination of CGI and puppetry provides a nice authenticity to the monster while evoking memories of 1980s films like Gremlins and Labyrinth. Although there aren't major scares or excessive gore typical of monster movies, the light horror elements hearken back to an era of horror films for younger viewers, without simplifying it for older audiences. Fuller effectively maintains this balance, complemented by his stylized cinematography. At the very least, Dust Bunny is a visually vibrant film, showcasing impressive lighting and set design.

      For his feature debut, Fuller successfully crafts a horror film enjoyable for both young and older audiences, appealing to both horror and non-horror fans. Mikkelsen and Sloan form a compelling duo, while Dusty, Weaver, and the rest of the ensemble offer memorable moments throughout the film.

      Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★ ★

      Ricky Church – Follow me on Bluesky for more movie updates and nerd discussions.