High school student Sadie Harper and her younger sister Sawyer are reeling from the recent death of their mother and aren’t getting much support from their father, Will, a therapist who is dealing with his own pain. When a desperate patient unexpectedly shows up at their home seeking help, he leaves behind a terrifying supernatural entity that preys on families and feeds on the suffering of its victims.
Poor little Sawyer is suffering a lot in this trailer with what looks like the boogeyman stalking her in her room. Her biggest problem is that she’s a small child so most adults dismiss her like the child she is. Their father isn’t much help either as in his professional opinion he just thinks they’re “manifestations”. That’s until he gets got later in the trailer and we learn that they’re all in for some problems.
So how does this actual movie stack up?
The Good
Welcome to the world of The Boogeyman, a movie that aims to make you fear the dark and question what lurks in the shadows. Director Rob Savage delivers a satisfying film that taps into every kid’s first fear. With clever cinematography and effective use of camera angles, the movie creates an eerie, skin-crawling, claustrophobic atmosphere. Each time a character glances at a dark closet, my anxiety rises—I can’t help it!
The camera work deserves special praise when it comes to the jump scares. The Boogeyman is genuinely terrifying, and a big part of its allure lies in the element of surprise. You never quite know when it might appear, keeping you on edge throughout. The movie understands that you’re already on high alert and doesn’t give you a moment’s rest. In a dimly lit hallway, you might even catch a glimpse of two glowing eyes, sending shivers down your spine.
The Bad
The Boogeyman moves at a fast pace, which can be both a good and a bad thing, but mostly bad. With little time to build an emotional connection to the main cast, I found myself indifferent to their fates. Characters like Will, Sadie, and Sawyer Harper are trapped in a truly terrifying situation, yet I caught myself rooting for the monster to do something cool. It’s a problem when I feel apathetic towards the main characters, lacking that emotional investment.
Another issue I have with the Boogeyman is not getting enough of the Boogeyman itself. The movie plays it safe by focusing on scares rather than showing much violence. While I appreciate a good jump scare, at some point, I crave substance to complement the frights. There are moments that tease predictable outcomes, but The Boogeyman subverts expectations by taking a different direction entirely, steering clear of familiar horror tropes.
Overall
“The Boogeyman” is a thrilling film that pushes boundaries and challenges our perceptions of fairytales and lullabies. With eerie cinematography and an engaging story, this movie does its best to gain your attention. However, The Boogeyman falls short in establishing emotional connections with its main characters, lacks sufficient violence to establish the monster as a threat, and plays with our expectations in ways that can be frustrating. Despite its flaws, The Boogeyman is an enjoyable experience for movie night at home. So, grab your popcorn, turn off the lights, and prepare to be both terrified and entertained by the Boogeyman!
Don't Sleep On The Boogeyman
- Acting - 5/105/10
- Cinematography/Visual Effects - 7/107/10
- Plot/Screenplay - 6/106/10
- Setting/Theme - 6/106/10
- Watchability - 7/107/10
- Rewatchability - 5/105/10