Dust Bunny (2025)
πͺ Under the Bed, In the Head: Dust Bunny (2025) – Bryan Fuller’s Fantastical Leap into Feature Horror
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| Official Poster |
For decades, Bryan Fuller has established himself as television’s master of the macabre and the whimsical, known for series like Pushing Daisies, American Gods, and the cult-classic psychological horror, Hannibal. Now, he finally makes his long-awaited feature film directorial debut with Dust Bunny (2025), a movie that is every bit as twisted, colorful, and psychologically complex as his most beloved works.
Dust Bunny is not a simple monster movie; it is a dark, macabre modern fairy tale that collides the brutal reality of an assassin with the vivid, terrifying imagination of a child. The film's premise is instantly iconic: an 8 or 10-year-old girl named Aurora hires her mysterious neighbor, an experienced hitman, to kill the monster under her bed, which she believes ate her family.
Adding immeasurable gravity to this fantastical horror are the stars: Mads Mikkelsen returns to collaborate with Fuller in a role written specifically for him—Resident 5B, the hitman, and genre legend Sigourney Weaver as a villainous "handler" who plays opposite Mikkelsen. Premiering to rapturous acclaim in the Midnight Madness program at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), Dust Bunny is being hailed as "Wildly colorful, gloriously spooky and just plain nuts". It promises to be the most visually inventive and conversation-starting horror film of the year.
π¬ Dust Bunny (2025)
π£ Quick Information:
| Detail | Information | Significance |
| Director/Writer | Bryan Fuller | Feature film directorial debut from the creator of Hannibal and Pushing Daisies. |
| Starring | Mads Mikkelsen, Sigourney Weaver, David Dastmalchian | A reunion of Fuller and Mikkelsen from Hannibal. |
| Genre | Horror, Thriller, Fantasy, Action | A unique blend described as LΓ©on meets AmΓ©lie and Tremors. |
| Release Date | December 12, 2025 (US Theatrical) | Strategic late-year release following a world premiere at TIFF. |
| Runtime | 106 minutes | A sharp, efficient length for a psychological horror-thriller. |
| Producers | Basil Iwanyk, Erica Lee | Producers known for the high-octane action of the John Wick franchise. |
π Release Date:
December 12, 2025 (US Theatrical Release)
The film's initial premiere was held at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in September 2025, specifically in the prestigious Midnight Madness section, which curates the year's best genre films. This festival buzz, combined with the major theatrical push in mid-December by Lionsgate/Roadside Attractions, positions it as a horror-thriller hybrid designed to capture both critical attention and mainstream holiday box office.
⭐ Genre:
Horror, Thriller, Drama, Fantasy, Action
Dust Bunny defies easy classification, embodying Fuller's signature style that blends the grotesque with the whimsical. Reviewers have called it a "macabre fairy tale" that is "wildly colorful, gloriously spooky and just plain nuts".
Horror/Fantasy: The plot centers on a literal monster under the bed, blurring the line between childhood nightmare and reality.
Action/Noir: The involvement of Mads Mikkelsen's hitman character and Sigourney Weaver’s handler brings elements of the assassin thriller, drawing comparisons to LΓ©on: The Professional and the producers' work on John Wick.
Family Horror Fable: Fuller intended the film to be a "family horror film," likening it to traumatic 80s films like Gremlins and Poltergeist, acting as a "gateway horror" for younger audiences, despite its dark themes.
π Cast:
The film boasts an elite ensemble of actors known for their strong genre work and unique dramatic presence.
Mads Mikkelsen as Resident 5B (The Hitman): Mikkelsen plays the haunted, stoic hitman neighbor, who, driven by guilt, agrees to help the young girl. Fuller wrote the role specifically for him, cementing their reunion after Hannibal.
Sophie Sloan as Aurora: The young girl, originally described as 8 and later as 10, whose family was killed by the monster. Her performance is praised as an "endearing performance" that brilliantly contrasts Mikkelsen's stoicism.
Sigourney Weaver as Laverne (The Handler): The legendary actress plays a figure described as "not so nice" and "zestfully evil". She is Mikkelsen's "femme fatale handler" who suspects the family's death was a rival assassin's mistake.
David Dastmalchian as a supporting role: A cult character actor, known for his roles in genre films, confirming the film's appeal to horror aficionados.
Sheila Atim, Rebecca Henderson, and NΓ³ra TrΓ³kan are also in the supporting cast.
π Plot:
The film is set in New York City. The plot intertwines two seemingly separate realities: the literal fear of a child and the bloody reality of an assassin.
The Child's Reality: Aurora (Sophie Sloan) is convinced a monster under her floorboards, the titular "Dust Bunny," has eaten her family. In a delightfully hard-boiled moment, she procures $327.42 (stolen from a church collection plate) and hires her mysterious neighbor, Resident 5B.
The Hitman's Reality: Resident 5B (Mads Mikkelsen) is a skilled hitman who initially dismisses Aurora's monster story. However, he suspects that Aurora's family may have been the accidental victims of assassins targeting him. Driven by guilt, he agrees to help the girl, which forces him to protect her from a growing "onslaught of assassins" and confront the possibility that the monster might be real.
The Collision: The two worlds collide as the action escalates. Aurora’s world is saturated with intrusive, gothic-inspired patterns, reflecting her chaotic internal state. The ultimate journey is about confronting monsters, both the real-life human kind (the assassins) and the fantastical, teeth-and-fluff kind. The climax involves a "climactic siege" where the hitman, Aurora, and other figures face off against the bad guys, and possibly even the helpful monster itself.
π― Hook Moment – Why You Can’t Miss This Movie:
The irresistible hook is the reunion of Bryan Fuller and Mads Mikkelsen in a story described as a "gnarly fairy tale" where the monster under the bed might save the day.
It is a cinematic event that brings together the intellectual horror and visual splendor of Hannibal with the quirky whimsy of Pushing Daisies, providing a high-octane action thriller that is simultaneously a profound exploration of childhood trauma and guilt.
π₯ Fan Buzz:
The Hannibal Reunion: The most significant buzz is the reunion of the director and his star, with fans (affectionately called "Fannibals") viewing this as the spiritual successor to their cult series.
The LΓ©on: The Professional Comparison: The plot's similarity to the classic film—a brooding, skilled killer protecting a precocious little girl—immediately generated comparison and excitement from fans of action and drama.
Weaver's Villainy: Sigourney Weaver playing a "zestfully evil" handler is a major draw for sci-fi and horror fans, who are eager to see the Alien icon in a deliciously dark role.
"Wildly Colorful and Nuts": The early critical reviews describing the film's "wildly colorful" aesthetic and "macabre" sensibility have built high anticipation for its unique visual flair.
π² Shocking Scenes That Will Blow Your Mind:
(Note: These scenes are based on confirmed plot points, review descriptions of the film's violence, and the director's track record.)
The Monster's Reveal and Design: The moment the titular Dust Bunny rises from the floorboards is described as a "thrill to witness". The creature is "unique and disturbing," made up of "fluff, teeth, and bulk," a visual shock that fully commits to the fantasy element.
Mikkelsen's Brutal Choreography: An action sequence, teased in clips, shows Mikkelsen's hitman character in a hand-to-hand fight where he skillfully shoves two fingers into an attacker's throat, "ending the fight once and for all". This blend of high-end, brutal fight choreography with the whimsical setting will be jarring.
The Monster's Team-Up: The climax involves a siege where the hero (Resident 5B) is fighting assassins, and the review suggests Aurora's monster "turns out to be pretty helpful in a fight". The shocking moment will be the monstrous creature becoming a bizarre ally against the human villains.
The Dark Confession: A scene where Aurora, the 10-year-old girl, explains her fear not as simple terror, but as guilt: "It keeps eating my family because it knows I don't deserve one". This profound, sad moment will be a psychological shock, forcing the audience to look beyond the monster and into the child's trauma.
π¬ Facts:
Feature Debut: Dust Bunny is the feature film directorial debut of highly respected television showrunner Bryan Fuller.
Specific Role: Fuller wrote the role of Resident 5B specifically for Mads Mikkelsen.
Weaver's Insight: Sigourney Weaver stated she plays "another person who's not so nice, opposite Mikkelsen". She has also reportedly called the film an "instant classic" for kids, despite its dark themes.
The Funding Source: The project was originally conceived as a story for Apple TV's Amazing Stories before Fuller adapted it into a feature film.
Cinematic Style: The film employs an idiosyncratic visual style that reviewers compared to the "greenscreened world" of Sin City or Sky Captain, utilizing rich, gothic art direction and pattern-heavy sets.
π₯ Trending Moments Everyone’s Talking About:
The Chicken Lamp: A highly discussed moment from the early screenings features the two leads glaring at each other across a table, with a prominent, absurd chicken-shaped lamp perched between them, highlighting the film's surreal, comedic tone.
Aurora's Quote: The quote "The happiest I've ever been is believing something impossible," delivered by a character in the film, is trending among reviewers and fans as the film’s key thematic statement.
The Dies Irae Score: The musical score by Isabella Summers (Florence + the Machine) is trending for its bold use of the liturgical doom motif, the "Dies Irae," underscoring the macabre fairy tale.
The TIFF Midnight Buzz: The extremely strong word-of-mouth from the TIFF Midnight Madness world premiere has generated global anticipation, with early critics urging audiences to "buy little Aurora's story and embrace the monstrosity of it all".
π Marketing Strategy:
The marketing strategy is brilliantly designed to attract two distinct, powerful audiences: the Hannibal fanbase and action/horror fans.
The Reunion Angle: The main pitch is the Fuller/Mikkelsen reunion, capitalizing on the intense devotion of the "Fannibal" community.
Genre Fusion Hook: The trailers emphasize the high-concept genre blend: a child's monster story crossed with a stylish assassin thriller, drawing comparisons to LΓ©on: The Professional and the action cred of the John Wick producers.
Star Power Showcase: Highlighting Sigourney Weaver and David Dastmalchian's presence ensures appeal to broader horror and cult film audiences.
Visual Intrigue: Promotion showcases the film’s highly stylized, colorful, and dark visual aesthetic, signaling a unique cinematic event far removed from standard horror fare.
π¬ Behind-the-Scenes:
The Shared Language: Fuller brought his distinctive visual flair from TV, having a unique shared language with cinematographer Nicole Hirsch Whitaker about the film's color palette, which gives the horror a unique, vibrant look.
Mikkelsen's Commitment: Mikkelsen's intense action sequences and martial arts skills were utilized in the fight choreography, giving the hitman character genuine cinematic menace.
Mentorship in Directing: Fuller explicitly stated his favorite days were working with the inexperienced Sophie Sloan, treating the process as a mutual discovery, which likely contributed to the film's authentic portrayal of a child's perspective.
✂️ Deleted Scenes:
(Note: No official information on deleted scenes has been released pre-release.)
Given the complexity of the plot and Fuller's visual style, deleted scenes would likely center on the blurring reality or Mikkelsen's backstory:
Extended Dream Sequences: Longer, surreal sequences that heavily leaned into Aurora's fantastical view of the monster, perhaps initially intended to make the audience doubt the creature's existence more strongly.
Mikkelsen's Guilt Montage: Deeper, more explicit scenes exploring the source of Resident 5B's guilt over his past as a hitman, perhaps revealing more about the assassination attempt that may have killed Aurora's family.
Weaver's Handler Moments: Extended dialogue scenes with Sigourney Weaver's Laverne, providing more cold, calculating advice or backstory on the hitman underworld.
π Why This Movie Will Be Remembered:
Dust Bunny will be remembered as the definitive film that launched Bryan Fuller's feature film career, proving his signature blend of macabre fantasy and profound heart translates perfectly to the big screen.
A Cult Classic Fusion: It will be cited as a uniquely successful blend of disparate genres—the psychological thriller, the action film, and the dark fairy tale.
The Monster of Guilt: It will be remembered for its intelligent handling of childhood trauma, using the literal monster as a powerful metaphor for guilt and fear.
The Mikkelsen/Fuller Legacy: It cements the creative partnership between Fuller and Mads Mikkelsen as one of modern cinema's most compelling director-actor duos.
π¬ “Iconic Quotes & Dialogues”
(Note: These quotes are confirmed by early reviews and synopses.)
Aurora: “Yes, they are. Don't pretend.” (Responding to the idea that monsters aren't real)
Aurora: “The happiest I've ever been is believing something impossible.”
Sigourney Weaver's Character (Laverne): "You seem triggered."
Aurora: “It keeps eating my family because it knows I don't deserve one.”
Tagline (Derived from the synopsis): "To protect her, he'll need to battle an onslaught of assassins—and accept that some monsters are real."
π― Final Verdict:
The Horror-Thriller Masterpiece You Never Knew You Needed.
Dust Bunny is a spectacular feature debut for Bryan Fuller, who brings his trademark visual audacity, dark humor, and deeply empathetic storytelling to a genre-bending masterpiece. The chemistry between Mads Mikkelsen’s stoic hitman and Sophie Sloan's hard-boiled child is electric, forming an unforgettable duo at the heart of a narrative that is equal parts terrifying and tender. This is a must-see cinematic experience that confirms Fuller as a visionary director. Go see this wildly inventive, gorgeous, and absolutely bonkers film!
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