Filmmaker Robert Budreau clearly loves A24 films—Queen of Bones borrows many of the studio’s signature elements, and that’s a strength. The atmosphere perfectly frames the story of siblings Lily (Julia Butters) and Sam (Jacob Tremblay), struggling to survive under the oppressive hand of their overbearing Protestant father (Martin Freeman). Every interaction with him carries weight, and the tension is palpable. Even the muted colour palette and the sparse, wind-whipped Oregon landscapes heighten the siblings’ vulnerability, turning the setting into an emotional character in its own right.
From the very beginning, psychological unease and a lingering sense of dread define the tone. Set during the Great Depression in the outskirts of Oregon, the story conveys survival as a matter of personal resourcefulness rather than community support. Every quiet moment is loaded with unease; the audience senses the siblings’ fear before any overt threat appears. This slow-building tension is classic: fear grows organically from circumstance and character, not cheap scares.
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By Ed Sum