In the atmospheric backwoods of Michigan, a new kind of folk horror has taken shape. Bone Hill (2025), directed by Daniel Falicki, centers on an ancient Native American curse and the psychological toll it takes on those it touches. For lead actress Abby R Mooring, who portrays the town librarian Laurie Coker, the film served as a demanding introduction to the world of acting.
Stepping Into the Role
Mooring, an international model who moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting, landed the role of Laurie after a 2023 audition. She describes her character as a “normal person” whose life is upended by a terrifying possession she cannot control or understand.
A Physically Demanding Shoot
Filmed entirely on location in Michigan—including Kalamazoo and Battle Creek—the production utilized eerie environments like an abandoned school and deep woods to ground the supernatural story. Mooring highlighted several challenging aspects of the production:
- On-Set Realism: Director Daniel Falicki often prioritized grit over glamour. Mooring recalled a moment in the woods where Falicki rubbed a handful of dirt into her hair to ensure she looked the part of a woman struggling for her life.
- The Final Night: One of her most difficult sequences involved an overnight shoot in the woods where she had to run up a hill repeatedly and film a scene where her character is shot.
- Emotional Intensity: As her first major acting job, Mooring found the role physically and emotionally exhausting but rewarding.
Breaking Horror Tropes
The film has been noted for avoiding typical Christian-centric possession cliches, instead focusing on folklore involving two mythical brothers—one a guardian, the other a demon feeding on human bones. For Mooring, the experience was a masterclass in preparation and collaboration. “The director, cast, and crew have the same goal, which is to make a movie,” she said, emphasizing the importance of being kind and well-prepared on set.
Bone Hill is currently available on streaming platforms like Tubi.
