The Boogeyman

Warning: This review contains a minor spoiler

The Boogeyman was on my radar for some time now and like any other Stephen King adaptation I went into this film with low expectations. Boogeyman follows 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.

I have to admit that I have not read the short story from Stephen  King's novel therefore this review will be written by a cinephile. Now that we cleared off our way let's dive into what makes the movie just okay. First off, I have to say that I am not a fan of horror films that shy away from gore and violence when it's needed which was exactly the case here. Given that the studio wants this to be a hit the PG-13 rating might have been a mistake. The story in my opinion could have been much more darker, more violent, and creepier. Speaking of that, I think that the film succeeded at scaring me multiple times but not enough to keep me awake at night. I truly think that an R rating would have suited this film better despite it pushing the PG-13 to its limits. Secondly, and this might be considered a minor spoiler to some but I absolutely hate the idea of them having a sequel. This made the movie a lot worse than it actually is and would have left the theater with a big smile if they ended it right. 

On the bright side of things, I actually enjoyed the story as a whole. You can consider me a fan of horror movies that incorporate family stuff within their story which was what The Boogeyman exactly did here. I liked how explored grief and how it interfered with the family members as well as the personification of the boogeyman here. There's a very interesting side to it and I believe that will appeal to some of the viewers and might leave them satisfied with the film. Moreover, I need to praise the excellent and smart use of lighting. A horror film never works without creating a sense of fear in its atmosphere. Since The Boogeyman revolves around the idea of a monster being born in the darkness, Rob Savage creates a phenomenal atmosphere using some modern items like a phone flashlight, or even a PlayStation. It's smart and definitely established a sense of fear and danger. 

Finally, I have to praise the cast. Chriss Messina, Sophie Thatcher, ad Vivian Lyra Blair were phenomenal. Sophie Thatcher was especially excellent since the movie mainly focuses on her. Overall, if you're looking for a quick watch and scare with some of your friends then I definitely recommend The Boogeyman.