Marshmallow (2025) enters a effectively-trod enviornment of summer time camp horror movies which have paved the trail lengthy earlier than its arrival.

There are a number of expectations from the beginning of Marshmallow: its solid of characters, the particular person or entity designed to hunt the campers down, and pure terror round any nook. Nonetheless, what units this movie other than the remainder is its dangerous twist, which upends assumptions getting in and in the end units up the stakes for the long run.

The movie begins with unquestionable tragedy for its major character, Morgan (Kue Lawrence). The dying of a beloved one leaves the introverted adolescent shaken, a sense he’s unable to shake by the point his mom (Alysia Reiner) drops him off at summer time camp. Anxiousness and concern are regular in new conditions, however Morgan’s fears loom giant. His weak point paints a goal on his again. On the flip aspect, it additionally attracts the eye of fellow campers, Pilar (Kai Cech) and Dirk (Max Malas). Perhaps issues will lookup in spite of everything.

In fact, Marshmallow is a horror film, in order that’s not going to be the case. A campfire story relayed by head camp counselor Rachel (Giorgia Whigham) sparks the worst of Morgan’s fears. Bizarre issues begin to occur round camp after the story ends. Is it a younger baby’s paranoia coming to life? Or maybe what was as soon as diminished to a legend is definitely one thing extra? By the movie’s finish, nobody can deny that it is a summer time camp expertise that can by no means be forgotten.

Marshmallow (2025) is an efficient instance of a gateway horror.

Diving deep into Morgan’s headspace early on units the movie’s vibe instantly. It additionally permits director Daniel DelPurgatorio to point out the viewers his hand within the horror division. What moments of gore and viscera depicted are eye-catching and surprising, however by no means an excessive amount of. This in the end makes the argument for a way Marshmallow is an ideal transitional horror for a youthful viewers. The steadiness between the results and the performances retains issues grounded amidst the phobia unleashed onscreen, proving DelPurgatorio’s directorial talent even additional.

The extremely gifted Kue Lawrence takes heart stage right here, greater than incomes the highlight. Morgan is essentially the most fleshed-out character, giving Lawrence so much to work with. Given the character’s focus within the story, nonetheless, there’s extra strain. His efficiency utterly immerses the viewers in Morgan’s concern and by no means appears like performing, a uncommon feat with regards to baby performers.

The characters surrounding Morgan are archetypal in nature, with little growth till the movie’s remaining act. Whereas loads of strain is positioned on Lawrence’s shoulders, he’s supported by an extremely succesful solid that provides every part to their performances. A selected standout is Pierson Fode’s douchenozzle of a personality, Kaczmar. Kaczmar’s trajectory all through Marshmallow twists and turns in fascinating methods, and Fode’s dedication to the character’s eccentricities by no means wavers.

The movie’s twist paints every part that got here earlier than its reveal.

What ought to have been a typical summer time camp expertise transitions shortly into terror for Morgan in Marshmallow. By rigorously deployed digicam angles and framing, sound cues, and performances, the transition from nighttime calm to abject concern is instantaneous. This comes into clear view when the legendary Physician is backlit and silhouetted with mild in clear view of petrified youngsters. The risk isn’t hidden; it’s on the market and can discover all of them. The homage this specific second pays leans all the best way in.

The place Marshmallow excels essentially the most can be the place it lets itself down in execution. Andy Greskoviak’s screenplay, as much as the movie’s third act, takes us on a reasonably normal journey within the style. The system will get flipped on its head throughout a pivotal reveal, launching this summer time horror into sci-fi territory. This paves the best way for potential future installments if the group decides to go that route.

Nonetheless, the twist’s supply is generally exposition-oriented, undercutting a few of its affect. The breadcrumbs sprinkled within the storyline main as much as the reveal greater than show how effectively the “present versus inform” method works. It provides suspense and thriller. If the supply was extra balanced in execution, the twist may have maintained extra of its wow issue. That’s to not say it doesn’t have that also, nevertheless it may have been even stronger with a bit of extra adjustment.

The underside line.

Marshmallow is a shocking gateway horror with a twist that provides some creativity and enjoyable in acquainted territory. This can be a showcase not only for DelPurgatorio and Greskoviak but in addition for its extremely gifted solid. For horror followers anticipating the identical previous issues, I counsel you to toss apart a few of your expectations. You may end up pleasantly stunned.

Marshmallow is now taking part in in theaters. Watch the trailer below.

To study extra concerning the movie, take a look at our interviews.

Photos courtesy of Amor Media.