BONE FACE (2025): Camp Marigold Massacre & The Highsmith Mystery Review

Bone Face is an indie slasher-whodunnit hybrid that hit digital platforms and VOD on January 21, 2025. Directed by Michael Donovan Horn and distributed by Uncork’d Entertainment, it has gained a bit of a reputation for its “genre swerve.”The PlotThe film starts as a traditional summer camp slasher at Camp Marigold, where a masked killer (Bone Face) carries out a brutal massacre of camp counselors. However, the story quickly shifts gears into a locked-room mystery. Sheriff Vince Cronin and Deputy Jo McCully track the killer to a local 24-hour diner, “The Highsmith.” Believing the killer ditched their mask and is hiding in plain sight, the officers hold the diverse group of patrons and staff inside to root out the murderer.Key Details* Director: Michael Donovan Horn* Cast: Jeremy London (Mallrats), Elena Sanchez (The Hunger Games), Alli Hart, Miles Doleac, and Madison Wolfe.* Vibe: Often described as “Friday the 13th meets Agatha Christie’s Clue.”* Where to Watch: It is currently available on Digital/VOD platforms and has also been spotted on Tubi.ReceptionThe movie has been a talking point in horror circles specifically for its structure. While the opening delivers the high-energy “splatter” and practical effects many fans look for, the majority of the runtime is dialogue-heavy and focused on the interrogation inside the diner. Some viewers appreciated the ambitious low-budget take on a whodunnit, while others felt the transition from a slasher to a talky thriller was too jarring. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit goreandgrimepodcast.substack.com