Mads Mikkelsen’s New Action Horror Movie Is a “Timeless” Fairy Tale, Says Director Bryan Fuller [Exclusive]

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The creator of Hannibal is working again with the actor who played Dr. Hannibal Lecter in a new, thrilling horror film. The movie centers on a 10-year-old girl who asks her enigmatic neighbor to eliminate the creature she believes is hiding under her bed. The director recently told MovieWeb how they combined action, horror, and fairytale elements to create a modern story.

The film Dust Bunny received nominations for Best First Feature and Best Cinematography from the Independent Spirit Awards. While promoting the film in New York City, director Bryan Fuller discussed his vision for creating a unique, fantastical world filled with monsters and assassins, comparing its dreamlike quality to well-known science fiction films.

Fairytales have a quality that makes them endure, so even when updated to a modern setting, it’s best not to overemphasize the modern details.

The film has a unique look – it feels both contemporary and strangely disconnected. The biggest visual influence comes from extravagant French cinema, particularly the work of directors like Jean-Pierre Jeunet and Marc Caro. Films such as ‘Delicatessen,’ ‘The City of Lost Children,’ and even ‘Amélie’ were key inspirations.

‘Dust Bunny’s Mads Mikkelson on Relating, and Not Scaring, His Young Co-star


© Roadside Attractions / Courtesy Everett Collection

I just saw Dust Bunny, and it’s a surprisingly tender thriller. It pairs Mads Mikkelsen – who, let’s be honest, has perfected the art of being genuinely creepy after roles in things like Hannibal and Casino Royale – with a young actress named Sophie Sloan. The story centers around Mikkelsen’s hitman reluctantly joining forces with Sloan’s character, a little girl convinced a monster killed her family. What’s really interesting is how Mikkelsen approached working with such a young co-star, making sure he didn’t unintentionally frighten her during filming. He talked about that in our interview, and it’s a testament to his thoughtfulness as an actor.

It’s tricky to separate what my character does from how I act with the actress playing the role – it’s a subtle distinction between the fictional and the real.

For me to play such a reserved character, my co-star needs to feel really comfortable and safe. Once we’ve built a rapport and have fun off-camera, I can convincingly portray someone who’s dismissive and even rude without her thinking that’s actually my personality. It’s about balancing those two sides – being approachable and then switching into the character’s coldness.

Bryan Fuller makes his directorial debut with the film Dust Bunny, featuring Mads Mikkelsen, Sophie Sloan, Sheila Atim, David Dastmalchian, and Sigourney Weaver. The movie has earned an 86% “Certified Fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes and will be released in U.S. theaters on December 12, 2025. Read the official synopsis below…

Ten-year-old Aurora discovers her new neighbor (Mads Mikkelsen) has a dangerous secret: he’s a professional killer who hunts down actual monsters. When Aurora believes a monster has harmed her family, she hires him for help. Feeling responsible and suspecting a connection to past targets, the neighbor reluctantly agrees. Now, he must fight off waves of assassins while protecting Aurora, and confront the terrifying reality that monsters truly exist.

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2025-12-11 20:53