Timothée Chalamet and Taylor Russell captivate in Luca Guadagnino’s cannibalistic romance
It all starts innocently enough. A teenage girl having a sleepover with a friend. Fun and laughter gives way to screams as an overexcited Maren (Taylor Russell) bites off her playmates finger and swallows it. This isn’t a new thing, or a one off, but the latest in a long line of compulsive behavior that her father (André Holland) has tried to temper, and shield from the world. Resigned, fearful, he abandons his daughter. Maren is left with memories of a long absent mother and some of her mementoes that may offer a clue to her location. She sets off on a cross-country journey to find her and hopefully learn more about the source of her compulsion. Along the way, she connects with a a flighty drifter named Lee (Timothée Chalamet). They bond over their shared isolation and cannibalistic urges. Together they cross the backroads of the US, grappling with their shared hunger as well as those they encounter on the journey, from potential prey to others of their own kind.
Back in 2022, fresh off the back of a remarkable reimagining of Suspiria, Luca Guadagnino took on this adaptation of the novel by Camille DeAngelis. The result was one of the best films of the year. A deeply moving exploration of disenfranchised kids with a hole in a corner of their soul that they’re looking to fill. Guadagnino, along with screenwriter David Kajganich (A Bigger Splash, Pet Sematary) manage a very difficult thing, to weave in acts of murder and cannibalism, while keeping you invested in this duo. You root for them in the same way you might for Bonnie and Clyde, Thelma and Louise, or Charles and Caril-Ann in Badlands. Maren and Lee are outsiders who don’t fit in, and a yearning for connection and acceptance is mirrored by their cannibalistic urges. Complementing this is the world around them. Set in the 80s, this was the closing chapters of the Regan era. A time when some people were certainly left behind, notably veterans, the poor, and the gay community (during the AIDS epidemic). We see derelict buildings, rusted pickups, and creaking carnival rides, reinforcing the neglect. In the darker corners we meet more “eaters”, finding space for solitude and to congregate with each other. Our pairing meet them along the way and learn more about the quirks, rules, and dangers within. The standout threat being Sully, a cannibalistic vagrant played by Mark Rylance (Bridge of Spies, The B.F.G.), who leverages his winking charm into something truly terrifying.
While undeniably a love story, the real throughline of the film is Maren’s journey and development. A girl abandoned, ill fit with the world around her, looking for purpose and connection. We see her travels and the encounters on the way shape her, toughen her, and shatter her heart. It’s a breakout performance from Russell who shoulders all this with ease. Chalamet is a perfect partner as the charming, world-weary and oft combustible Lee. Their chemistry is palpable, you cherish their moments together, even amidst their cannibalistic euphoria. Bones and All balances horror and heartbreak, reminding you to seek and cherish connection, however you come to find it.
The Package
Bones and All is a trip through the backwater of the Midwest. The greens of the trees and fields are verdantly colored, the detail and dilapidation of the towns these drifters pass through is impeccably rendered. Even in darker scenes the range of palette and depth of detail impresses. Shout! have done a tremendous job with this 4K transfer. Along with the 4K disc, an included Blu-ray disc hosts several featurettes, all (sadly) just a few minutes in length
- “Outsiders In Love”: A framing of the love story at the core of the film
- “A Look Inside”: Complementary to the above, sketching out the relationship between Maren and Lee
- Luca Guadagnnino: The Vision of Bones and All: Short segment encircling the director’s approach and vision
- “Meet Lee”: Interviews from Russell, Chalamet, Rylance, and Guadagnino discussing the character
- “Meet Maren”: as above, but with a shift in focus
The Bottom Line
Bones and All is a distinct, and wonderfully wrought tale of a search for connection, albeit with a backdrop of cannibalism. It might sound distasteful, but it’s truly resonant storytelling lifted by standout performances by Russell and Chalamet, and their palpable chemistry. The 4K treatment from Shout! is a stunner, and is the perfect way to dive into a provocative, deep, and moving masterwork.
Bones and All is available via Shout! Factory on 4K-UHD on November 26th
