In the midst of difficult times, 'Queen of Bones' explores the intertwining themes of religious hysteria, family secrets, and a touch of the occult. Filmed in Ontario, Canada, this independent production takes viewers on a journey through a rural gothic setting that echoes the dark melodrama of 'Flowers in the Attic' and the supernatural coming-of-age story of 'Carrie.' While the film is watchable, it falls short in delivering the impactful ideas and execution found in these notable works, resulting in an underwhelming experience. Falling Forward Films plans to release the movie theatrically later this year, but it may find a more suitable audience in home formats.
The screenplay, written by Michael Burgner, is divided into chapters with suggestive titles like 'Prologue: It Began With Blood' and 'Chapter Seven: Domain of Darkness.' These divisions promise a shocking and intense content that unfortunately fails to materialize. The story revolves around 14-year-old twins Lillian (portrayed by Julia Butters) and Samuel (played by Jacob Tremblay), living in a remote area of Oregon in 1931. They are under the strict control of their widowed father, Malcolm Brass (Martin Freeman), who constantly reminds them that their mother died giving birth to them. As the twins start to question this narrative, tensions rise within the family.
