The world of streaming has an intriguing way of resurrecting forgotten films, breathing new life into them, and then letting them fade away once more. This time, it's the 2023 horror film 'Queen of Bones' that has risen from obscurity, thanks to Prime Video's subscribers. But is this movie a hidden gem or a Halloween treat gone wrong?
Imagine a widowed father, Malcom, played by the talented Martin Freeman, living in 1930s Oregon with his twin children, Sam and Lily. The siblings, portrayed by Jacob Tremblay and Julia Butters, are haunted by the mysterious death of their mother, played by Taylor Schilling. When they stumble upon a spell book in their attic, the story takes a chilling turn. As expected in a horror flick, a sinister force lurks nearby, and the family's peaceful home is not as it seems. Could this dark presence be linked to the tragic loss of Malcom's wife?
'Queen of Bones', directed by Robert Budreau, had a rather quiet release. After its debut at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2023, it premiered publicly at the Whistler Film Festival in the same year and later in the U.S. at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival in 2024. It eventually landed on video-on-demand in August 2025, but it didn't create much buzz. But here's where it gets interesting: Prime Video users have brought it back from the dead, just in time for Halloween.
According to FlixPatrol, the movie has been steadily climbing the charts, peaking at number five on October 8, 2025. While it has since dropped a few spots, it's still holding on. With Halloween approaching, will 'Queen of Bones' rise again? It faces stiff competition from the heartwarming documentary 'John Candy: I Like Me' by Colin Hanks and Ryan Reynolds, which currently dominates the Prime Video charts. And let's not forget the iconic James Bond films that have recently returned to the platform, captivating audiences once more.
And this is the part most critics seem to miss: Despite its newfound popularity, 'Queen of Bones' has received mixed reactions. With insufficient reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, it's hard to gauge its overall reception. However, a 'top critic' from Variety, Dennis Harvey, criticized the film for its lack of originality and bold execution, calling it 'underwhelming.' So, while it might be a streaming hit, it may not be the best Halloween horror experience. But is that really the case? With so many other horror films available for free this Halloween, should viewers take a chance on 'Queen of Bones'? That's the question that lingers in the air, leaving room for debate.
