Even the antagonists' evil is layered and multi-faceted, with a selection of traits that veer them away from the usual cliche territory. There's detail and depth to every character with multiple backstories that give us a creative sense of diverse deep-dive. I do feel like the protagonists were a bit too cliche for my liking, with some exchanges that felt too typical of the dramatics that horror leans into, but slashers tend to be strengthened by their villains, so cliche protagonists aren't too much of a deal breaker.
Color theming is used for selective creative mood amplifying here. Many scenes are improved by the tactical boost of colors, and the cinematography borrows from both older and modern films to achieve great shots. Violence, likewise, has blood used for precise impact, and shots apply a portrait-focused feature to highlight emotional expression as well as the sadistic and predatory nature of the antagonists. As well as selective lighting and shadow use for proper ominous toning....... As previously mentioned, performances have more range than the usual norm, with performances having that added realism and variety. Jimmy Doom, Jamie Bernadette, Calhoun Koenig, and Kimberly Cruchon Brooks stand out especially, but everyone does a sufficiently great job in making their characters screen time memorable.
There are a few noted instances of character voices sounding a bit too quiet and far away, probably more due to mic placement or just set acoustics, but still noted. You probably won't notice it, especially if you use headphones. Otherwise, the score focuses on more of the older use of dread building and tension raising with some slow building compositions. Sound effects have their satisfying crunches and snaps for the scenes that need it, so you'll get the satisfying noises accompanying the more gruesome bits.
Ash and Bone is a more than satisfying slasher flick, little issues aside. This is a film for those looking for a slasher that properly mixes modern and older creative techniques.
