"MARSHMALLOW" (2025) Serves Up Summer Camp Nightmares With A Diabolical Twist (REVIEW)
Do kids even go to summer camp anymore? When I was younger, I remember spending at least three summers at camp away from home. Two of those years were some of the best in my adolescent life, and the other was the pits. Summer camps seemed more aimed at the parents than kids, a way for them to take a break from their parenting duties and let a bunch of other people handle them. The flip side is that kids also get a break from their parents, which depending on your living situation was either a gift or a gamble. Even today the idea of depositing your children with mostly strangers seems like a wild idea, and it’s hard to know if this is something that parents still do or if the times have indeed changed. Per my own experience, summer camp was mostly a fun reprieve and for a couple of years a truly pivotal experience when one summer I had my first “girlfriend,” and another I was accidentally put into the older kids group and cabin which was far more fun than the one meant for my age. However, summer camps aren’t always positive experiences, and can be frightening for those on the receiving end of being bullied or not fitting in. You’re stuck with the same people for 2-8 weeks so if you don’t like them, you’re shit out of luck. “Marshmallow,” the latest feature from writer Andy Greskoviak (from the outstanding “Black Friday”) and Director Daniel DelPurgatorio explores the scarier side of summer camp when it hits theaters on April 11, 2025, from Hemlock Circle Productions. Is this summer camp more of a horror dream or nightmare?
WHAT’S IT ABOUT?
When a once-fabled campfire tale becomes real, a group of campers uncover a profound secret that questions their very existence.
HOW IS IT?
Summer camps and the graham cracker of so many great slashers in that they lay a strong foundation for the ooey-gooey goodness contained within, so it’s fitting that a film titled “Marshmallow” not only embodies the essence of summer camp but does so in such a sweet and fulfilling way. The challenge with any summer camp-themed film is always going to be creating an authentic experience that isn’t contrived or overly exploitative, we’ve already had our fair share of those, but rather, something that channels the adolescent experience of going to camp complete with all the ups and downs that come with it. “Marshmallow” is a horror movie that understands the assignment, and delivers characters that you immediately connect with anchored by some truly impressive performances from a relatively young cast. Greskoviak’s writing balances humor, heart, and horror while DelPurgatorio’s direction keeps viewers engaged by mastering tonal shifts that would wreck less adept filmmakers.
Morgan (Kue Lawrence) just saw his grandfather die in front of him and is now being dropped off at camp for the summer, talk about a double-whammy. Upon his arrival, the camp seems to be like any other filled with teenage counselors talking the job half-seriously and a range of kids with varying personalities, for better or worse. As social hierarchies go, there are always the kids that bully and those that get bullied, and sadly, Morgan is in the latter group. Morgan’s bunkmates are in the same situation and naturally band together to ward off threats and teases from other campers, and the counselors. But within days of their arrival, the supposed ghost story of “The Doctor” becomes less of a campfire tale and more of a real threat to the campers and their counselor guardians. Greskoviak’s knack for writing compelling and genuine characters is on full display here, and combined with Lawrence’s performance there is a tenderness to Morgan that is unlike any young character we can think of. The same can be said of all the campers and counselors as the film doesn’t rely on one exposition for character development, but instead gives us a clear picture of who they are from how they speak and carry themselves. After the first 20 minutes, you feel like you’ve known these characters for years and much of that comes from the clever, and age-appropriate dialogue alongside actors who embody their characters fully. Paul Soter (of Broken Lizard fame) is pitch-perfect as the semi-aloof, but affable head counselor Collins whose try-hard jokes don’t land and has a deceptive demeanor that feels as much friend as foe. There is a general sense of distrust that we see through Morgan’s eyes where neither his fellow campers nor counselors can be trusted, which leads to a twist that we guarantee no one will see coming.
That twist may take some people out of the film, but from where we sit it was a refreshing pivot that makes “Marshmallow” much more than what it appears to be. The overarching theme of distrust and deception surfaces in interesting ways that make “Marshmallow” feel more dangerous than one would expect, especially considering a predominantly young cast. The kids here aren’t safe, no more so than any adult would be in a horror film, and that elevates the tension without ever veering into exploitation territory. Credit to Greskoviak’s script and DelPurgatorio’s direction as they expertly shift tones from lighthearted to horrifying without missing a beat, creating genuine dread once the proverbial shit hits the fan. It’s hard to go into detail about the third act because it would simply spoil the film, but there is a lot of depth to the story that examines the role of loss and grieving as well as posing moral questions that can open up interesting conversations after the credits have rolled. Finally, the music from Nicolas Elert is the perfect backing score with heavy, distorted synths and subtle melodies that elevate the sinister vibe permeating throughout the film. It’s an impressive film that juxtaposes elements of gateway horror alongside truly disturbing setpieces while playing with our expectations in clever ways to ensure viewers stay invested in the narrative.
LAST RITES
“Marshmallow” is a delightfully diabolical and deceptive horror film that doesn’t just invert expectations, it completely rewires them into something novel, nightmarish, and endearing. A stellar script carried by star-making performances, and direction that never lets up on the tension makes “Marshmallow” an easy contender for one of our favorite horror films fo 2025!
THE GORY DETAILS
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Written By
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Where can you watch it?
“Marshmallow”will be released in select theaters beginning April 11, 2025, from Hemlock Circle Productions!
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