TORONTO – At the center of the genre-bending Canadian thriller “Honey Bunch” lies a “twisted love story,” which delves into the intricacies of long-term commitment. This psychological drama is brought to life by the filmmaking duo Madeleine Sims-Fewer and Dusty Mancinelli, who not only directed but also wrote the film. The narrative focuses on a car-crash survivor grappling with impaired memory, who is persuaded by her husband to seek experimental treatments at an unusual facility.
During a series of interviews at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2025, Mancinelli articulated their exploration of love, stating, “Really at its heart, this is a twisted love story that asks the question: How far are you willing to go for the one that you love?” He elaborated on the dynamics of relationships, particularly emphasizing the significant yet vulnerable moments that arise during the low points, which ultimately contribute to a deeper sense of commitment and devotion.
Furthermore, the couple’s decision to collaborate with another artistic duo—the lead actors Grace Glowicki and Ben Petrie—was intentional, as Mancinelli felt that their real-life relationship enhanced their performances. “It really enriched the whole experience,” he remarked, noting their previous collaboration on the feature “Violation.” He explained that working closely with Glowicki and Petrie allowed them to develop their characters authentically, reflecting real-life experiences in their roles.
Glowicki and Petrie, both veterans of the horror genre, explained that they frequently blend their personal and professional lives in their work. However, Glowicki described the additional layers present in “Honey Bunch” as particularly surreal, which arose from the unique dynamics of both couples involved. “I’m super-familiar with working with my real-life husband,” she said, “but this was particularly unique because there was also a real-life couple behind the camera, we were playing a married couple, it was about philosophies of love.”
Despite the fictitious nature of the story, Glowicki acknowledged the challenge of separating personal experiences from the film’s narrative. “To try to keep the compartments of real life and fiction separate at a certain point was just a fool’s errand,” she stated, suggesting a willingness to embrace the blurred lines of reality in their work.
Additionally, the staff at the facility in the film includes another fictional married couple, portrayed by actors Kate Dickie and Julian Richings, who bring their own unique dynamic to the story. They are later joined by a father-daughter duo played by Jason Isaacs, known for his role in HBO’s “The White Lotus,” and India Brown from Apple TV’s “Invasion,” both searching for a medical miracle.
Sims-Fewer and Mancinelli initially approached Isaacs later in the casting process, assuming he would be unavailable. To their surprise, he responded positively to the script and felt a strong connection to his character. “He has a daughter, and so the father-daughter relationship was something that was really meaningful to him,” Sims-Fewer explained. Mancinelli praised Isaacs’ thorough understanding of his role, detailing how Isaacs arrived on set with a clear vision of his character, transforming their initial ideas about wardrobe and demeanor.
“Honey Bunch” is set to premiere in select theaters on Friday, January 23, 2026. It represents a fusion of personal narrative exploration and artistic collaboration, offering a unique look into the complexities of love and commitment through the lens of psychological drama.
