Right from the start, it's evident that The Boogeyman effectively achieves its goal of terrifying the audience. This horror thriller delivers a powerful punch with its array of jump-scare moments. Debutante director Rob Savage deserves praise for creating a slow-burn narrative that seamlessly aligns with the film's overarching plot. This film thrives on suspense, and the exceptional performances of its characters and the masterfully created eerie atmosphere help in delivering truly hair-raising moments. The film's well-crafted screenplay, sound design, and the director's ingenious approach to maintaining tension even after the suspense is unveiled all contribute to its success. Adapted from Stephen King's The Boogeyman, written nearly 50 years ago, screenplay writers Scott Beck and Bryan Woods (also the writers of A Quiet Place) skillfully breathe new life into the short story, expanding upon King's original narrative and presenting it as a fresh creation. The film centers around a family consisting of two daughters and their father. Sadie (Sophie Thatcher), a high school student, and her younger sister Sawyer (Vivien Lyra Blair) are still grappling with the loss of their mother. Their grief weighs heavily upon them, as they receive little support from Will (Chris Messina), their therapist father who is preoccupied with his own inner demons. The already burdened family's plight takes a sinister turn when Lester Billings (David Dastmalchian), a patient, turns up at the house seeking help, only to tragically end his own life. This event casts an even darker shadow over the household, exacerbating the struggles of the mourning family. As the patient, Lester Billings, reveals the horrifying tale of his own three deceased children and the malevolent entity that claimed them, an unsettling atmosphere gradually engulfs their lives. The Boogeyman stands out in the realm of horror and distinguishes itself from recent releases such as Evil Dead Rise and Smile, boasting a unique and distinct identity. Director Rob Savage, in his debut film, showcases a level of maturity that is impressive. Skillfully deviating from conventional horror tropes, Savage introduces his own signature elements, adding a fresh perspective to the genre and keeping audiences on the edge of their seats, delivering an authentic and spine-chilling horror thriller. Cinematographer Eli Born excels in setting the mood, creating an atmospheric backdrop that resonates with the story's essence. Sophie Thatcher and Vivien Lyra Blair shine brightly in their respective roles, delivering compelling and emotionally charged performances in the film. Thatcher, who gained recognition following her appearance in the series Yellowjackets, portrays the eldest daughter of the family with remarkable maturity and nuance, serving as a cornerstone of the film. Blair fearlessly embraces the horrors of the narrative, embodying the role of a regular child while effectively complementing the other characters. In a brief yet impactful appearance, David Dastmalchian seizes the opportunity to create a chilling presence within the house, leaving a lasting impression. This film delves into themes of trauma and loneliness, capturing them with great effectiveness, thereby evoking a sense of horror along its path.Read more

When I walked into the theatre to watch The Boogeyman, I was prepared to experience a sleepless night. An adaptation or rather reimagination of Stephen King’s famous short horror story of the same name, The Boogeyman’s trailer did set an expectation that it would leave you jumping in your seat, if not screaming. However, by the time I walked out of the film, I felt like I was walking out of a different point of view of an episode of Stranger Things. For those who have not read the tale, the short story revolves around a man named Lester Billings sitting in a psychiatrist’s office, narrating how his three children were killed one by one by the boogeyman. The book shows just one family in the picture with the boogeyman playing tricks on them. However, writer Mark Heyman and director Rob Savage adapt the short tale and spin a bigger story. While the characters of a psychiatrist and Lester Billings and the story of his three dead children have been retained, there is more to the big-screen tale. Spread across a run-time of a little over two hours, Savage and Heyman branch the story out by creating a room for the family of the psychiatrist, Dr. Harper (Chris Messina). Grieving from the sudden death of his wife, Harper is tasked with parenting duties while also taking care of his clients. While his attention is focused on the many things on his plate, he swiftly turns and brushes off his daughter Sawyer Harper’s (played by Vivien Lyra Blair) fearing that something is lurking through the ajar closet door. Sawyer turns to her sister, Sadie Harper (played by Sophie Thatcher), who assures that she believes her but also seems to be brushing it off as her fear. Lost in her own grieving process, she soon realises that her sister’s fears are not unreasonable and the monster comes through the ajar door. While I am going to refrain from sharing major spoilers (a few minor spoilers might come your way), I would tell you that The Boogeyman gets under your skin, one scene at a time. Rob has not made your traditional, paranormal activities films with ghosts but stayed true to the monster from the book and even went ahead to make a bigger universe for the meat-hungry monster to lurk through. The film starts off on a high with the suspense building up just perfectly. Director Rob Savage uses an eerie linear pace to lure you into the closet and packs in the perfect scares, which makes you only look forward to how the story could further turn. Developing a story around each character not only allows you to invest in the characters but also makes room for suspense to develop your doubts about them as well. Although the first half and most of the second half instill the fear of a horror movie, as soon as the climax begins, The Boogeyman starts to feel like an episode of The Stranger Things. The primary reason is the depiction of the monster and the similarities in how to beat both monsters. It was in this process that The Boogeyman loses its grip and starts to wear off the horror mask. The film is solely carried by Sophie Thatcher and she does a great job of holding your attention. She’s well-supported by Vivien Lyra Blair. However, having watched Chris Messina in AIR recently, the actor looked a tad weak in this film. On the technical front, Rob’s decision to use silence in the most horrifying scenes works brilliantly for the film, giving away minimal spoilers of the coming scene away. Most of the recent projects shot in low light have viewers complaining about how dark the films/series are. Rob makes up for it by using solid lights that could light up the frame just enough to allow you to see what is happening but not give away the demon hiding in the dark. The Boogeyman is not a film that would send shivers down your spine and scare you to your last nerve. Instead, Rob plays on the psychological front, making you think about the spooky monster hours after the film has ended and even making you take a quick glance at the corners of your room before you shut your eyes. If that is what Rob was aiming for, he has hit the home run. But if people are hoping to scream and get startled while watching the film, they are going to be disappointed by the execution. Read more