[Fantasia ’22] ‘Honeycomb’ review: Hive mind

Honeycomb has a premise with built in appeal and plenty of horror history. A group of bored young women decide to spend the summer in an abandoned cabin one of them has come across. It is a chance to find themselves and do something memorable during the last summer they have before becoming adults. To make sure the time is spent with as few problems as possible, they all agree to a set of rules. This includes one for “suitable revenge” which ends up changing all their lives.

The easy comparison is Lord of the Flies, but director Avalon Fast is coming from a different perspective. William Golding’s novel and the many stories it inspired were cautionary tales that warned adults what children were capable of. This does not take away from how good they are, but they are told from an older point of view. Honeycomb is told through the lens of people – specifically women – who are coming into adulthood. There is a richness, authenticity, and naivety that is not always found in similar tales.

Even in its most absurd moments, Honeycomb is relatable. Obviously, the film takes the situation to extremes, but audiences will watch and be able to understand the rash decisions, jealousies, and carefree nature of the cast. It is a twisted story, but it also contains coming of age elements that anyone watching will be able to understand.

This is important due to the DIY nature of the film. Shot on location in British Columbia with her own group of friends and a local music band, there is a stilted almost unprepared feel to Honeycomb. While this adds to the realistic feel of the characters, it may turn some off. One aspect is the how the girls are filming their experiences in their new home. It fits with the tone and looks like the teenagers actually did film it. It is a nice stylistic decision that will not impress everyone.

Ultimately, Honeycomb is carried by its story and some beautiful camerawork. From the moment the five decide to live together, it is obvious that things are not going to end up well. Everything is well paced and gradually builds to “revenge gone bad”. The ending is abrupt, but does not take away from the genuine feeling of the experience.

Honeycomb is screening at the Fantasia Festival