The Boogeyman

3.5 out of 5 stars

The legend of the Boogeyman goes back hundreds of years (possibly the 1500s in England) but can be found amongst many cultures and civilisations as a creature that is used to scare children into behaving properly for their parents lest they be punished. It can form the stuff of nightmares for young children: of things that go bump in the night or hide in your closet or under your bed.

The latest film to bear the title of The Boogeyman is inspired by a short story first published by famed horror writer Stephen King in 1973. We are introduced to the Harper family, who are dealing with the recent loss of their mother in a car accident. The family patriarch, Will (Chris Messina), is a therapist who continues his work with his patients but fails to see the needs of his two daughters. Sadie (Sophie Thatcher) is a teen, and her little sister Sawyer (Vivien Lyra Blair) are afraid of the dark and won’t sleep without a light in the room. An unannounced visitor named Lester (David Dastmalchian) appears to ask for Will’s help and discloses that he recently lost all three of his children in unexplained circumstances. Yet, before he can explain more, he is found dead in a closet in the home in mysterious circumstances. Before long, though, strange noises and events occur at night, and it seems Sawyer’s fears of a monster in her closet are coming to life. Sadie begins to piece together the events that overtook Lester’s family and has to stop the same fate from overtaking her own family.

Within the horror film genre, this one ticks all the boxes as it forces the audience to sit on the edge of their seats for the entirety of the film. A suspenseful atmosphere is easily cast through the foreboding music whenever attention is drawn to dark spaces or corners of rooms or closets where there isn’t much light and the growl of the ‘creature’ who you know is there. Even though the creature isn’t fully revealed until the movie's end, the suspense makes you want to watch through eyes shielded by your hands. The jump-scare moments are there, and the filmmakers use the classic ‘wake from a nightmare’ scenario, making you wonder if events are real or simply a figment of imagination.

Being unfamiliar with the original short story made it difficult to know if the movie portrayed everything accurately. Still, fans of the genre should be satisfied as the film produces the fear element without resorting to the shock and gore effect seen in other horror films. However, the story does go down a predictable path in the second half once Sadie is empowered with the knowledge of how she might be able to defeat the creature to save her family. There could be a sequel, given how the film ends. Yet, it depends on how the film fares at the box office. The Boogeyman was initially intended to go straight to streaming rather than through a theatrical release. However, watching this movie in a darkened cinema certainly provides a scarier atmosphere and experience than one might get from watching it from the comfort of your couch on a smaller screen. So, this should fit the bill for those who enjoy a good scare in horror movies.

REEL DIALOGUE: Are you afraid of being alone?

The above question is posed to one of Will’s patients as they try to deal with their anxiety. This is also the same feeling that most young children have when they are put to bed by their parents, and they only find comfort if they can sleep safely in the arms of their mother or father.

Such an assurance is also promised by God to those who trust in Him and seek to live their life according to His will. God's warm embrace is open to those who want to stop living for themselves but choose to place their hope in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. For those who want to find out more, ask a Christian friend about how to enter into a relationship with God, or take time to read one of the Gospel accounts that tell us about Jesus’ life and why he came into the world to do what he did. No one needs to live in fear of being alone when God is in your life.

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you by my righteous right hand. - Isaiah 40:10

If you would like to discuss the issues associated with prayer and the Bible. Reach out to us at Third Space. We would love to chat with you about this and more.