It’s interesting when a film can be both frustrating and refreshing, leaving me thinking about it for days afterward. I admire its enjoyable aspects while still contemplating the “What if…?” This is very much the case with Daniel DelPurgatorio’s debut horror feature, Marshmallow (2025).
While I may have mixed feelings, I can certainly understand why Arrow Films’ Toy Robot included it in its initial slate. As a feature, it’s quite imaginative and certainly worthy of the Toy Robot treatment.
Marshmallow Is a Unique Summer Camp Slasher
Sent away to a secluded summer camp, shy 12-year-old Morgan (Kue Lawrence) is hoping for a chance to escape his lonely existence. Instead, he finds himself trapped in a waking nightmare when a terrifying campfire story about a psychotic doctor suddenly becomes horrifyingly real.
As a mysterious figure begins stalking the campgrounds, Morgan and his new friends, including the fearless Pilar (Kai Cech), are forced into a desperate fight for survival. Their perilous journey will push them to the breaking point, confronting their deepest fears while forcing them to question what is real — and whether they can trust their own existence.
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DelPurgatorio and screenwriter Andy Greskoviak have crafted a unique take on what most would consider a summer camp slasher. The heroes aren’t the older teens but the campers themselves. The young cast delivers solid performances that captivate the audience from start to finish. Even the fresh take on the material is enough to keep your eyes glued for the roughly 90-minute runtime.
Without getting into spoilers, some scenes and elements felt a little too drawn out, while others, including the finale, felt rushed. My first thought after watching it was that it should have been a series. It’s clear they have a lot more story to tell. An episodic format could explore the world they’ve created. The story could certainly sustain an 8-episode season without ever getting boring.
Marshmallow Blu-ray Special Features
The Blu-ray includes an audio commentary featuring director Daniel DelPurgatorio and actors Kue Lawrence and Kai Cech; a deleted scene; footage of the Dream Sequence; two short films directed by DelPurgatorio, Other and Body(s); storyboards; video podcast interviews; behind-the-scenes stills; and script pages.
While slightly uneven, Marshmallow is full of great concepts and performances, though there’s still much more story to explore. Sequel? Let’s hope so, because I need to know more.
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