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The Most Original Monster Movie of the Last 10 Years Is Officially Your Next Best Late Night Watch
Dust Bunny, the feature film debut of television creator Bryan Fuller, is being highlighted as one of the most original monster films of the past decade and a recommended late-night watch on HBO Max. Fuller, known for cult television hits such as Pushing Daisies and Hannibal, brings his distinctive whimsical yet violent visual style to the film, which stars his Hannibal collaborator Mads Mikkelsen. What initially appears to be a straightforward creature feature is, according to the review, actually a layered metaphor for childhood trauma, elevating it above typical genre fare.
The plot follows ten-year-old Aurora (Sophie Sloan), who conjures a monster from dust bunnies under her bed; after it kills her foster parents, she hires her neighbourhood hitman, Mikkelsen's morally ambiguous "Intriguing Neighbour", to destroy it. The film explores themes of abandonment and toxic parental relationships, with Sigourney Weaver playing the Neighbour's villainous mother, Laverne. Fuller's trademark bright, fantastical production design creates an alternate, magical-realist version of New York City, and the review praises Mikkelsen's ability to balance menace and charm in the role.
In short
- Dust Bunny is Bryan Fuller's feature directorial debut, streaming on HBO Max.
- Mads Mikkelsen stars as a hitman hired by a girl to kill her monster.
- The film uses its monster premise as a metaphor for childhood trauma.
Explained simply
Dust Bunny is the feature film debut of Bryan Fuller, the television creator behind cult shows including Pushing Daisies and Hannibal. Though it appears to be a monster film, the story serves as a metaphor for childhood trauma and has been recognised as one of the most original entries in the genre over the past decade. The film is available on HBO Max.
The plot centres on a ten-year-old girl called Aurora who conjures a monster from dust bunnies under her bed. When the creature kills her foster parents, she hires a morally ambiguous neighbour, played by Mads Mikkelsen, to destroy it. The narrative explores themes of abandonment and harmful parental relationships, with Sigourney Weaver appearing as the neighbour's villainous mother.
Fuller's distinctive visual style brings his signature bright and fantastical aesthetic to the film. Mikkelsen's performance balances menace with charm, whilst the production design creates an alternate version of New York City that blends magical and realistic elements.