• Latest
  • Trending
Marshmallow Review

Marshmallow Review: These Woods Hide Unexpected Secrets

Bound Review

Bound Review: Superb Acting in a Fractured Story

The Ruse Review

The Ruse Review: Veronica Cartwright’s Lonely Triumph

System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster Review

System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster Review: Still the King of Sci-Fi Horror

Things Like This Review

Things Like This Review: Two Zacks and a World of Insecurity

Franklin Season 1 Review

Franklin Season 1 Review: A Beautiful, Empty Shell

Snakes and Ladders Season 1

Snakes and Ladders Season 1 Review: Manolo Caro’s Candy-Coated Corruption

E.1027 - Eileen Gray and the House by the Sea Beatrice Minger Review

E.1027 – Eileen Gray and the House by the Sea Beatrice Minger Review: Reclaiming a Place in History

SAEKO: Giantess Dating Sim Review

SAEKO: Giantess Dating Sim Review: Anxiety in Pixel Form

Absolute Dominion Review

Absolute Dominion Review: A Grand Idea Trapped in a Small Room

Feed Review

Feed Review: Don’t Like or Subscribe

John Travolta

Travolta Lights Up Hollywood Bowl in Surprise Danny Zuko Cameo

8 hours ago
Rainn Wilson Steve Carell

Rainn Wilson Says The Office “Chaotic” After Carell Exit

8 hours ago
  • Home
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Gazettely Review Guidelines
Sunday, June 29, 2025
GAZETTELY
  • Home
  • Movie and TV News
    John Travolta

    Travolta Lights Up Hollywood Bowl in Surprise Danny Zuko Cameo

    Rainn Wilson Steve Carell

    Rainn Wilson Says The Office “Chaotic” After Carell Exit

    Sydney Sweeney

    Sydney Sweeney Risks Broken Nose for Christy Martin Biopic

    Joshua Jackson

    Mighty Ducks Stars Hand Off Anaheim’s First-Round Pick at NHL Draft

    Hilary Swank

    Cobra Kai Bosses Detail Failed Hilary Swank Cameo Bid

    Grosse Pointe Garden Society

    NBC Kills Grosse Pointe Garden Society After One Season

    Mark Hamill

    Mark Hamill’s Untold Luke Skywalker Tragedy Emerges

    Henry Golding

    Henry Golding Calls Bond Bid “A Nightmare” as Amazon’s 007 Overhaul Accelerates

    squid game season 3

    Netflix Crowns ‘Squid Game’ Finale No. 1 as Creator Weighs Spinoff

  • Movie and TV Reviews
    Bound Review

    Bound Review: Superb Acting in a Fractured Story

    The Ruse Review

    The Ruse Review: Veronica Cartwright’s Lonely Triumph

    Things Like This Review

    Things Like This Review: Two Zacks and a World of Insecurity

    Franklin Season 1 Review

    Franklin Season 1 Review: A Beautiful, Empty Shell

    Snakes and Ladders Season 1

    Snakes and Ladders Season 1 Review: Manolo Caro’s Candy-Coated Corruption

    E.1027 - Eileen Gray and the House by the Sea Beatrice Minger Review

    E.1027 – Eileen Gray and the House by the Sea Beatrice Minger Review: Reclaiming a Place in History

    Absolute Dominion Review

    Absolute Dominion Review: A Grand Idea Trapped in a Small Room

    Feed Review

    Feed Review: Don’t Like or Subscribe

    Stand Your Ground Review

    Stand Your Ground Review: All Action, No Substance

  • Game Reviews
    System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster Review

    System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster Review: Still the King of Sci-Fi Horror

    SAEKO: Giantess Dating Sim Review

    SAEKO: Giantess Dating Sim Review: Anxiety in Pixel Form

    Islands & Trains Review

    Islands & Trains Review: A Minimalist Escape

    PaperKlay Review

    PaperKlay Review: Fun, Flawed, and Full of Heart

    Projected Dreams Review

    Projected Dreams Review: Illuminating a Beautiful Story

    Tom Clancy's The Division 2: Battle for Brooklyn Review

    Tom Clancy’s The Division 2: Battle for Brooklyn Review: A Nostalgic But Flawed Homecoming

    9 Kings Review

    9 Kings Review: Seven Monarchs, Endless Strategic Possibilities

    Rematch Review

    Rematch Review: Sloclap’s Ambitious Football Experiment Falls Short of Goals

    Chronicles of the Wolf Review

    Chronicles of the Wolf Review: Forging a Path Through the Past

  • The Bests
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Movie and TV News
    John Travolta

    Travolta Lights Up Hollywood Bowl in Surprise Danny Zuko Cameo

    Rainn Wilson Steve Carell

    Rainn Wilson Says The Office “Chaotic” After Carell Exit

    Sydney Sweeney

    Sydney Sweeney Risks Broken Nose for Christy Martin Biopic

    Joshua Jackson

    Mighty Ducks Stars Hand Off Anaheim’s First-Round Pick at NHL Draft

    Hilary Swank

    Cobra Kai Bosses Detail Failed Hilary Swank Cameo Bid

    Grosse Pointe Garden Society

    NBC Kills Grosse Pointe Garden Society After One Season

    Mark Hamill

    Mark Hamill’s Untold Luke Skywalker Tragedy Emerges

    Henry Golding

    Henry Golding Calls Bond Bid “A Nightmare” as Amazon’s 007 Overhaul Accelerates

    squid game season 3

    Netflix Crowns ‘Squid Game’ Finale No. 1 as Creator Weighs Spinoff

  • Movie and TV Reviews
    Bound Review

    Bound Review: Superb Acting in a Fractured Story

    The Ruse Review

    The Ruse Review: Veronica Cartwright’s Lonely Triumph

    Things Like This Review

    Things Like This Review: Two Zacks and a World of Insecurity

    Franklin Season 1 Review

    Franklin Season 1 Review: A Beautiful, Empty Shell

    Snakes and Ladders Season 1

    Snakes and Ladders Season 1 Review: Manolo Caro’s Candy-Coated Corruption

    E.1027 - Eileen Gray and the House by the Sea Beatrice Minger Review

    E.1027 – Eileen Gray and the House by the Sea Beatrice Minger Review: Reclaiming a Place in History

    Absolute Dominion Review

    Absolute Dominion Review: A Grand Idea Trapped in a Small Room

    Feed Review

    Feed Review: Don’t Like or Subscribe

    Stand Your Ground Review

    Stand Your Ground Review: All Action, No Substance

  • Game Reviews
    System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster Review

    System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster Review: Still the King of Sci-Fi Horror

    SAEKO: Giantess Dating Sim Review

    SAEKO: Giantess Dating Sim Review: Anxiety in Pixel Form

    Islands & Trains Review

    Islands & Trains Review: A Minimalist Escape

    PaperKlay Review

    PaperKlay Review: Fun, Flawed, and Full of Heart

    Projected Dreams Review

    Projected Dreams Review: Illuminating a Beautiful Story

    Tom Clancy's The Division 2: Battle for Brooklyn Review

    Tom Clancy’s The Division 2: Battle for Brooklyn Review: A Nostalgic But Flawed Homecoming

    9 Kings Review

    9 Kings Review: Seven Monarchs, Endless Strategic Possibilities

    Rematch Review

    Rematch Review: Sloclap’s Ambitious Football Experiment Falls Short of Goals

    Chronicles of the Wolf Review

    Chronicles of the Wolf Review: Forging a Path Through the Past

  • The Bests
No Result
View All Result
GAZETTELY
No Result
View All Result
Marshmallow Review

Zero Review: Navigating Power and Peril on Senegal's Streets

Netflix Lines Up Four-Part Horror Drama “My Sad Dead” From Pablo Larraín

Home Entertainment Movies

Marshmallow Review: These Woods Hide Unexpected Secrets

Zhi Ho by Zhi Ho
4 weeks ago
in Entertainment, Movies, Reviews
Reading Time: 5 mins read
A A
0
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on PinterestShare on WhatsAppShare on Telegram

Daniel DelPurgatorio’s “Marshmallow” initially invites us into the well-trodden grounds of Camp Almar, a classic summer camp setting that feels almost like a tutorial level for a horror story. We meet young Morgan, portrayed with a palpable sense of vulnerability by Kue Lawrence.

He’s a kid already shouldering the weight of recent grief and a bundle of anxieties, making his arrival at camp feel less like an adventure and more like another trial.

The air is thick with the promise of spooky campfire tales, and you get the distinct feeling that one particular legend—about a sinister figure known only as “The Doctor”—isn’t going to stay confined to fireside whispers for very long. It’s a setup that knowingly winks at the audience, suggesting that while the path looks familiar, the journey might just veer off into uncharted territory.

Echoes in the Woods: Plot Unfolding and Genre Play

Andy Greskoviak’s script for “Marshmallow” initially guides us down a path well-worn by countless slasher films. The early moments establish Camp Almar with all the expected components: isolated woods, the murmur of an ominous local legend, and the slightly unnerving cheerfulness of camp counselors. You can almost tick off the checklist.

Marshmallow Review

The legend of “The Doctor,” who supposedly has a grim history on these grounds, is the primary engine for early suspense. However, the film soon makes a significant narrative choice; instead of focusing on the typically ill-fated counselors, the primary targets become the children themselves. This shift immediately alters the emotional stakes, making the sense of peril feel more acute.

It’s a decision that subtly hints at the film’s tagline to “question everything,” suggesting that the conventional slasher map might not be the one this story intends to follow. While the initial pacing might feel deliberate, almost lulling you into expecting a standard sequence of events, it’s this grounding in the familiar that allows later deviations to have more impact.

Young Faces of Fear: Character Development and Performances

Where “Marshmallow” truly finds its heartwood is in its young protagonists, particularly Morgan. His journey from a grief-stricken, fearful child, haunted by nightmares of a past near-drowning and the very recent death of his grandfather (Corbin Bernsen, appearing in poignant flashbacks), into someone who finds a measure of resolve is central to the film’s emotional core.

Marshmallow Review

Kue Lawrence delivers a performance that feels authentic and anchors the audience’s empathy. He’s not alone; the friendships that blossom between Morgan and fellow campers like the picked-on Dirk (Max Malas) and the feisty Pilar (Kai Cech) provide much-needed warmth and depth. These relationships feel genuine, reminiscent of the bonds forged in childhood adventure stories or even the camaraderie found in a well-written RPG party facing down darkness.

The young ensemble cast effectively conveys a spectrum of fear, resilience, and the tentative bravery of youth. In contrast, the adult counselors, including Giorgia Whigham’s Rachel who spins the initial scary tale, or Paul Soter’s camp director, often appear as archetypes, their attentiveness sometimes questionable, thereby heightening the children’s isolation and the sense that they must rely on themselves. This focus on the children creates a different kind of tension, one less about gore and more about vulnerability.

Orchestrating the Unease: Direction and Cinematic Craft

For a feature debut, Daniel DelPurgatorio shows a good hand in guiding the film’s tone from a coming-of-age story tinged with sadness into the domain of horror. “Marshmallow” works to build suspense and an unsettling atmosphere, often achieving this effectively despite what are clearly budget limitations.

Marshmallow Review

The visual presentation of “The Doctor”—clad in a surgical outfit, his face obscured by a mask, a miner’s light cutting through the gloom as he wields an electrified prod—is often striking. Cinematographer Filip Vandewal makes good use of shadow and silhouette, especially in the nighttime sequences, to make this figure imposing.

The horror elements are generally more suggestive than gratuitous, aiming for chills rather than outright disgust, which positions the film as a potential entry point for younger audiences exploring the genre, perhaps akin to a darker episode of “Are You Afraid of the Dark?”

Nicholas Elert’s score pulsates effectively to heighten tension in key sequences, though at times it might feel a little too prominent. The film’s pacing, especially in the initial acts, is steady, building a foundation before the narrative takes a more unconventional route later on.

Beyond the Campfire Tale: Thematic Resonance and Narrative Turn

“Marshmallow” explores themes of confronting fear, the deep ache of loss, and the unexpected courage that can surface when young people band together. These ideas are woven through the narrative, but the film takes a bold swing in its latter half, introducing a significant plot shift that propels it out of straightforward slasher territory and into something with distinct sci-fi leanings.

Marshmallow Review

This narrative turn is ambitious, aiming to recontextualize everything we’ve seen at Camp Almar and about “The Doctor.” It’s the kind of structural change that can make or break a story, much like a game that suddenly introduces a new core mechanic far into the experience.

For “Marshmallow,” this pivot is largely effective in terms of surprise and setting it apart from more predictable genre fare. However, because this revelation arrives relatively late, the exploration of its intriguing implications feels somewhat condensed.

The film presents many fascinating ideas with this shift, but the remaining runtime doesn’t allow all of them to be fully developed, which may leave some viewers with questions. The ending hints at a transformation, where the hunted might find new agency, but it’s a quick transition. Still, this indie film’s willingness to play with expectations and blend genres is commendable.

Marshmallow was released in select theaters on April 11, 2025, and is available for streaming on platforms such as Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video.

Full Credits

Director: Daniel DelPurgatorio

Writer: Andy Greskoviak

Producers and Executive Producers: Warner Davis, Todd M. Friedman, Elliott Barker; Executive Producer: Steven Gallion

Cast: Kue Lawrence, Giorgia Whigham, Corbin Bernsen, Alysia Reiner, Miya Cech, Pierson Fodé, Samantha Neyland Trumbo, Paul Soter, Max Malas, Kai Cech, Maxwell Whittington-Cooper

Director of Photography (Cinematographer): Filip Vandewal

Editor: Andy Palmer

Composer: Nicholas Elert

The Review

Marshmallow

7 Score

"Marshmallow" proves to be a refreshingly ambitious indie horror, skillfully using its familiar summer camp shell to deliver a genuinely surprising narrative turn. Anchored by strong performances from its young cast, particularly Kue Lawrence, the film builds a compelling atmosphere and isn't afraid to sidestep expectations. While its inventive third-act ideas could have benefited from more breathing room, "Marshmallow" offers a thoughtfully crafted experience that marks Daniel DelPurgatorio as a director with promise. It’s a clever, often tense, and emotionally resonant indie effort well worth seeking out for those who appreciate a story that dares to be different.

PROS

  • Excellent performances from the young actors, especially Kue Lawrence.
  • Effectively subverts typical summer camp slasher expectations.
  • The central narrative shift is inventive and thought-provoking.
  • Builds genuine atmosphere and emotional connection.

CONS

  • Pacing can feel slow in the initial setup.
  • The intriguing ideas introduced by the third-act twist feel somewhat rushed and underdeveloped.
  • Some adult characterizations are thin.

Review Breakdown

  • Overall 0
Tags: Alysia ReinerAmor MediaCorbin BernsenDaniel DelPurgatorioFeaturedGiorgia WhighamHemlock Circle ProductionsHorrorKai CechKue LawrenceMarshmallowMarshmallow (2025)Max MalasMiya CechMysteryPierson FodéThrillerWinston Vengapally
Previous Post

Zero Review: Navigating Power and Peril on Senegal’s Streets

Next Post

Netflix Lines Up Four-Part Horror Drama “My Sad Dead” From Pablo Larraín

Try AI Movie Recommender

Gazettely AI Movie Recommender

This Week's Top Reads

  • Smoke Review

    Smoke Review: The Year’s Most Unpredictable and Unsettling Show

    7 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Boglands Review: Shadows and Whispers in the Irish Mist

    2 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Love Island USA Season 7 Review: Summer’s Hottest Guilty Pleasure Returns

    1 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Mix Tape Review: A Story Told on Two Sides of a Cassette

    1 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Alma and the Wolf Review: Ethan Embry Shines in a Flawed Fever Dream

    1 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • She’s Got No Name Review: A Moving Tale of Empathy and Survival

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • The Waterfront Review: Kevin Williamson’s Return to Murky Family Waters

    1 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Must Read Articles

Heads of State Review
Movies

Heads of State Review: Elba and Cena Carry the Ticket

1 day ago
Squid Game Season 3 Review
Entertainment

Squid Game Season 3 Review: No Happy Endings Here

2 days ago
Love Island USA Season 7 Review
Entertainment

Love Island USA Season 7 Review: Summer’s Hottest Guilty Pleasure Returns

3 days ago
The Bear Season 4 Review
Entertainment

The Bear Season 4 Review: A Contemplative, Cathartic Final Course

3 days ago
Surviving Ohio State Review
Movies

Surviving Ohio State Review: The Weight of Witness

3 days ago
Loading poll ...
Coming Soon
Who is the best director in the horror thriller genre?

Gazettely is your go-to destination for all things gaming, movies, and TV. With fresh reviews, trending articles, and editor picks, we help you stay informed and entertained.

© 2021-2024 All Rights Reserved for Gazettely

What’s Inside

  • Movie & TV Reviews
  • Game Reviews
  • Featured Articles
  • Latest News
  • Editorial Picks

Quick Links

  • Home
  • About US
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise with Us
  • Review Guidelines

Follow Us

Facebook X-twitter Youtube Instagram
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Movies
  • Entertainment News
  • Movie and TV Reviews
  • TV Shows
  • Game News
  • Game Reviews
  • Contact Us

© 2024 All Rights Reserved for Gazettely

Go to mobile version