‘213 Bones’ Review – Hollow Horror, Barely Worth The Dig [FrightFest 2025]

There is a certain earnestness and charm to a whodunit slasher. We have been inundated with a barrage of gory splatter films. Many are chasing the trend to be the next Art the Clown. So we can excuse a run-of-the-mill flick that is neither grand in its ambitions nor imaginative in its exploits. However, thanks in part to the slasher renaissance and this seeming new age of horror films, expectations automatically spike. To quote a famous line, an entirely different movie if you ain’t first, you’re last. Herein lies the problem with 213 Bones: despite being made with love and care, it slashes its way through clichés, leaving us with a story and situation that’s as hollow as the killer’s mask or a bag of bones.

The premise for 213 Bones is straightforward. A gruesome attacker, wearing a wooden-grunge mask, brutally murders college students. It is left to Sheriff Bracco (Ernest Walker), Laurie, the County Coroner (Francesca Barker McCormick), and their teacher, Kelly (Colin Egglesfield), to find out who the real bone-crunching murderer is. The movie operates as a whodunit, with each of the student anthropology majors finding themselves in the way of the killer’s blade. 

There is an early 2000s vibe to the mystery elements in the film. In many ways, 213 Bones, despite its gruesome nods, feels like a spiritual successor to the ’90s Scream-inspired slashers. There is even a hint of Valentine (2001) running throughout this film. A masked mystery figure goes on a violent rampage, seemingly leaving clues for the students to find. From the outset, astute viewers will likely nab the eventual identity of the killer. Little is left to the imagination in terms of a motive or course of action. Yet, the story does embrace a sort of campy cheesiness to all the blood, gore, and mystery. 

Regrettably, none of the characters are memorable. A seemingly stock portfolio of archetypes and characters that took part in the romp of ’80s slasher movies. Back in the heyday of the slasher era, these characters, or lack thereof, could suffice, but modern audiences are demanding a little bit more. We want nuance and substance, as opposed to a cast of eventual victims. Now, were this all meant to be a wild send-up to the genre, a loving homage if you will, then we could excuse these characters. However, there is little evidence to suggest this is a spoof or satire, but an honest-to-goodness whodunit slasher. 

In part, the film exists in a time warp. On the one hand, it owes its lineage to the slashers of yesteryear. The Scream-centric mystery element and cheeky love of it all are palpable. On the flipside, 213 Bones no doubt feels the pressures of the moment and ratchets up the gore to some effect. However, in this Art The Clown world of slashers, we find that imitation is not a form of flattery. There are a few eye-popping moments, but nothing to linger in the mind’s eye after the credits roll. 

Perhaps, the only real meat on this story lies in the peripheral character of Bob (Dean Cameron). His presence offers little more than red herring fodder. However, his story, albeit condensed, does provide the film with a sense of pathos. His dry humor and penchant for arriving at the last minute are clever treats. 

213 Bones gives a gallant effort, and while falling short, does at least command some respect. It is trying to create a slasher icon in the wake of the giants like Michael, Ghostface, and now Art the Clown. Our masked killer conjures up images of a ’90s grunger, complete in leather attire that is both unsettling and fun. The film’s strongest elements are the creepy killer stalking the college campus and the occasional use of the POV shot. Ultimately, we want more from this killer and more from the anthropological tie-in that exists, which feels underutilized.

This is one film that horror fans might find intriguing from the premise, but will likely yawn at the familiarity and lack of imagination. There exists a glimmer on the sheen of the knife, but never enough to truly cut through, leaving something deep or impactful—surface-level horror at the most. 

213 Bones had its World Premiere at FrightFest 2025.

Director: Jeffrey Primm

Writers: Jeffrey Primm, Dominic Arcelin

Rated: NR

Runtime: 85m