Bone Keeper – Movie Review (3/5)

BONE KEEPER is a visually gorgeous creature feature. So much so that what it lacks in storyline, it makes up for with its monster. While watching this, I was reminded of many previous horror movies featuring a cave, but it managed to still be its own creature. Read our full Bone Keeper movie review here!

BONE KEEPER is a creature feature that delivers gorgeous effects in spades. I have to admit that I wasn’t particularly impressed with the plot itself. At one point during the first act, I found myself thinking that half of an entire scene could easily have been cut. After all, keeping a good pace is especially important when viewers are still trying to decide if they want to continue.

Having said that, I found myself being very impressed with the creatures of this creature feature. It’s a story that plays out over several decades. Or millennia, really, as we begin back in the age of literal cavemen. As such, we get to see the very imaginative monster in different ways.

Continue reading our Bone Keeper movie review below. Find it on digital in the UK from April 6, 2026.

This is why I don’t do caves!

Ever since watching The Descent, which remains one of my favorite horror movies, I have not been fond of caves. The idea of going into a cave and being without sunlight simply does not appeal to me. Add to this that the cave isn’t exactly mapped out, so you’re moving around tiny tunnels and hoping you’ll find your way back? That’s a big “no thanks” from me.

With Bone Keeper, I will admit that it’s a great plot that these people have a reason to go into a cave system. I mean, apart from the adventure of risking getting lost underground. The group of friends in Bone Keeper is going on a monster-hunting adventure, which may not sound like a good reason, but at least it’s a reason.

Not least, when combined with the fact that one of their mothers disappeared after going into said cave two weeks earlier.

Also, it should be noted that most of the people going into this cave do not believe that there is a monster dwelling inside the cave. We know there is, because this creature has been around for many thousands of years, as shown to us in the opening scene.

You’ll want to see this creature

As already noted several times, the actual creature in this creature feature is why you should watch Bone Keeper. The special effects for the creature are so gorgeous, and as the story evolved and escalated, elements of the creature were revealed.

While we see both the cavemen witnessing this creature and a man in 1976, the core storyline of this movie plays out in the present. You may think this helps our group of friends, but nothing really works deep underground. Flashlight does, of course, so you can see the creature about to tear you apart, but calling for help just isn’t an option.

Along with the creature, which is enough reason to watch Bone Keeper (and yes, the reason for this name will be revealed and is terrifying), there’s also a pretty solid cast. Bone Keeper stars Sarah Alexandra Marks (The Midnight Hour), Louis James (River of Blood), and Tiffany Hannam-Daniels (Escape).

Watch Bone Keeper on Digital

Bone Keeper is directed and written by Howard J. Ford (DarkGame, The Ledge). Despite a few drawbacks in terms of pace and storyline, I was very impressed with it. Originally, Bone Keeper was able to enjoy its World Premiere at Glasgow FrightFest. I can imagine film festival audiences loved this movie. It also explains why it’s currently sitting at an 8.2 rating on IMDb.

I don’t think this will last in the long run. Still, it certainly is worth recommending for fans of creature features and monster horror.

The runtime is just 90 minutes, which is often a sweet spot for a movie like this. And, even though there was a lull in the first act, I didn’t feel it was too long after this. I mean, in that first part of the movie, the characters did almost repeat everything that had already just been said. In that sense, it did feel like a missed opportunity to “cut the fat” and get moving.

Overall, many of the actors in this movie have also been in previous movies by the same filmmaker. I tend to like it when actors and directors stick together. It’s usually a good sign. Also, you can look forward to the iconic John Rhys-Davies (Lord of the Rings, Raiders of the Lost Ark). He isn’t crawling around the caves, but he does have quite a lot of screentime. Deservedly so!

Bone Keeper is out on Digital in the UK from April 6, 2026. We’ll update this review when we have a US release date.

Details

Director: Howard J. Ford
Writer: Howard J. Ford
Cast: Sarah Alexandra Marks, Louis James, Tiffany Hannam-Daniels and John Rhys-Davies