by Joseph Perry and Mike Imboden
In our “The Good, the Bad, and the Verdict” film reviews, Joseph and Mike give their thoughts on a slice of cinema. For this installment, it’s Marshmallow by Daniel DelPurgatorio.
Synopsis
At a secluded summer camp, Morgan, a shy and introverted 12-year-old, is thrust into a living nightmare when a legendary campfire tale becomes real. As a mysterious figure begins stalking the camp, Morgan and his newfound friends must embark on a perilous journey that will force them to confront their deepest fears and question the very nature of their existence.
The Good
Joseph: With Marshmallow, director Daniel DelPurgatorio and screenwriter Andy Greskoviak deliver a fun, energetic feature that riffs on sci-fi horror, summer camp horror, and summer camp coming of age films. At first I thought “Here we go again” with the initial set-up during the film’s first act, so I was not properly buckled in when things started getting strange — and then weirder. The surprises that the film has in store for viewers are the major draws for me, but the dialogue and camaraderie between the cast of camp kids is another plus, as are the wonderful performances from lead Kue Lawrence as Morgan and supporting players such as Kai Cech as his “like interest” Pilar, and Max Malas as his fellow bullied buddy Dirk. All the youngsters are a joy to watch. The film’s themes of being an outsider, dealing with grief, and the anxieties of being a preteen/young teen are all dealt with wonderfully — and the film serves up plenty of genre-fare goodness while doing so.
Mike: Having recently watched Hell of a Summer (see our review HERE), I was fully expecting more of the same here with Marshmallow. Main character with issues. Check. Summer camp? Check. Bullies? Check and check. So I’ve got to say that right when things started to zig and I thought “and here we go!”, DelPurgatorio zagged and took the story into a totally different direction. Greskoviak’s screenplay is smart and layers itself with clever foreshadowing and satisfying reveals.
Anybody who’s been to a summer camp, or watched one of the countless other films about them will recognize a lot of tropes and familiar sights, but none are used as a cheap shortcut, instead factoring into the story as actual plot points (mostly as part of the aforementioned reveals). The casting and performances are quite well done — from the jock counselor to the put-upon-but-loyal new friend — with Lawrence and Malas leading the pack as fast friends Morgan and Dirk.
The story itself is just as layered as the plot, dealing with grief and the loss of a loved one all while trying to navigate the trials and tribulations of being an ostracized ‘tween.
The Bad
Joseph: No major or even minor quibbles for me regarding Marshmallow. If, like me, you feel skeptical at first, keep watching. You’ll be glad you did.
Mike: What may at first seem to be dings against the plot, pacing, or writing should be shelved until the second act is underway. Having too strong of a preconceived expectation of Marshmallow may ruin the experience and that would be a disservice to yourself as the viewer.
The Verdict
Joseph: With a big heart, a strong sense of what it’s like growing up and feeling different, and plenty of suspense, Marshmallow is a genre-blender that plays with the expected tropes before it plunges headlong into originality and unexpected revelations. Highly recommended as both a gateway horror film (though it may be a bit strong for some younger viewers) and for seasoned fright-fare aficionados.
Mike: What makes this stand out from all of the other summer camp films out there — be they comedy, horror, or a mix of the two (or more!) — are its smart plot and scripting and near picture-perfect casting and acting. Marshmallow deals with somewhat serious topics and does so without a heavy hand, instead dressing its message in a frightening outfit and inviting the viewer to face their own fears.
Marshmallow
Directed By: Daniel DelPurgatorio
Written By: Andy Greskoviak
Starring: Kue Lawrence, Giorgia Whigham, Corbin Bernsen, Alysia Reiner, Max Malas, Kai Cech
Run Time: 1h 33m
Rating: NR
Release Date: April 11, 2025 (United States)
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