Dust Bunny is a new film that premiered earlier this year at the Toronto International Film Festival and is set for a nationwide U.S. release on December 12. Written and directed by Bryan Fuller, the film stars Mads Mikkelsen, Sophie Sloan, Sheila Atim, David Dastmalchian, and Sigourney Weaver. The story follows an eight-year-old girl who enlists her scheming neighbor to help kill the monster under her bed—one she believes has eaten her family.

I knew I had to see this the moment I saw Mads Mikkelsen and Bryan Fuller’s names on the poster. That alone was enough; I didn’t need to watch a trailer or look into the plot. I loved their collaboration on Hannibal’s first season. I remember being less enthusiastic about the second, which led me to skip the third—and then suddenly the show was canceled and has only grown more appreciated over time. Maybe it’s finally time for me to finish it.

Either way, seeing Fuller and Mikkelsen reunite was exciting and full of promise. So how does the final product land? Well… it’s interesting, to say the least.

The film has several genuinely strong elements working in its favor. Its story and world-building are strikingly unique, feeling almost like a comic book brought vividly to life. From what I understand, this concept is entirely original to Bryan Fuller—impressive, considering how fully realized the world feels. It’s surprising that it’s taken this long for his work to reach the big screen, because he remains one of the most creative voices in the medium. With ten years between this and Hannibal, it’s easy to see why Mads Mikkelsen was eager to collaborate with him again.

Speaking of Mikkelsen, he delivers exactly what you’d expect from him. It may not be among his most iconic performances, but he commits fully to the role and clearly puts his trust in Fuller’s direction. A decade between their collaborations is far too long, and I can only hope they work together again soon. Fuller also draws a standout performance from Sophie Sloan, who effortlessly steals the spotlight with her balance of horror and humor. Sheila Atim and David Dastmalchian likewise shine, each delivering memorable, scene-stealing moments that lean directly into Fuller’s distinctive vision.

Fuller’s writing creates a world that feels fully lived-in, populated by characters with distinct personalities and a story that unfolds in genuinely unpredictable ways. From the film’s opening moments, I never could have guessed where it would ultimately end up. The setup is strong throughout, building toward an electrifying final act where it feels like anything could happen.

The film’s weakest element, however, is the CGI. There’s an early scene that immediately reminded me of Megalopolis—clunky, awkward, and tonally out of place. While the production design is excellent and the cinematography makes great use of its claustrophobic setting, the visual effects in the final act are noticeably rough. It’s like revisiting a beloved mid-2000s movie and suddenly realizing just how far VFX technology has come since then. Whenever the film leans into practical effects, it shines; whenever it leans into CGI, the results are… questionable. At moments, I genuinely wondered if I was watching a rough cut, but I’m fairly certain this is the finished version.

Most of the characters stand out as distinct and memorable. The same could be said for Sigourney Weaver—yet her role ultimately feels familiar, almost like she’s playing a variation of characters she’s portrayed many times before as of lately. It comes across as a minimal—and somewhat glorified—cameo. She always seems to have fun with her antagonistic roles, so it’s hard to fault her, but it still feels like her talent isn’t being fully utilized.

For all the strengths in Fuller’s writing and world-building, the film struggles with its tone. Although Mads Mikkelsen receives top billing, Sophie Sloan emerges as the true protagonist. Centering the story on her gives the film a surprisingly PG-like energy despite its R rating. There’s nothing inherently wrong with that, but the blend often feels like a tonal mismatch, as if the film is unsure whether it wants to appeal to younger audiences or adults. It’s almost like the inverse of an animated movie—where mature themes are wrapped in a kid-friendly package. This story would have been stronger had it fully embraced its R-rated identity, because that’s where the film’s stylized action and world-building shine the most.

Overall, Dust Bunny is a visually inventive and uniquely stylized experience. Mads Mikkelsen and Sophie Sloan are the film’s standout performers, supported by smaller characters who help keep the story engaging. On the downside, the dated visual effects may either charm or frustrate viewers, and the tonal inconsistencies are likely to divide opinions. By the end, it’s a charming and entertaining watch, though ultimately one that may not linger in memory for long.

VERDICT: 3/5 – Good