Introduction : Welcome to our review of "The Boogeyman", the latest film by director Rob Savage. Known for his innovative and provocative work in previous projects like "Host" and "Dashcam". Savage's attempt to make PG-13 horror scary falls flat in this emotionally numbing film. While the movie boasts of being adapted from a short story by Stephen King, it fails to capture the essence and depth of the original source material. Join us as we delve into the lackluster aspects of "The Boogeyman" and explore it's missed opportunities.
A Familiar Formula with Little Personality : "The Boogeyman" comes across a formulaic horror film, lacking originality and a distinct personality. It feels like a fan friendly Christmas album from a rising music star – safe and predictable. Unlike Savage's previous ventures that pushed the boundaries of the horror genre, this movie relies on familiar beats and fails to bring anything fresh to the table.
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| Source : 20thcenturystudios |
An Expansive Yet Superficial Mythology : The film's adaptation of the mythical Boogeyman from Stephen King's short story attempts to broaden its significance by adding elements of loss and grief. However, the execution feels superficial and lacks emotional depth. By focusing on the grief-stricken Harper family – comprising therapist father Dr. Will Harper and his two daughters, Sadie and Sawyer – the movie attempts to explore the theme of loss. Yet, it fails to evoke genuine sorrow, leaving us with only a sense of pity for the characters.
A Dour Tone that Strains Engagement : "The Boogeyman" struggles to strike a balance between jump scares and its intended exploration of grief. The film's reliance on peek-a-boo scares and its self seriousness regarding grief create a disjointed and numbing experience for the audience. The atmosphere, established through the use of stark visuals and darkness, fails to elicit the desired emotional response. Although Sophie Thatcher delivers an excellent genre performance as Sadie, the film's overall tone becomes wearisome, making it feel much longer than its actual runtime.
Lester and the Intrusion of Fear : The entry of the Boogeyman into the Harper family's home takes place through the character of Lester, played by David Dastmalchian. Lester's enigmatic persona serves as shorthand character development, providing a glimpse into the monster's origin. His suicide, mirroring the prevalent theme of death in the Harper family, adds to the overall sense of darkness and tragedy. However, the film fails to effectively explore the emotional impact of these deaths, leaving Sadie and Sawyer in the dark both figuratively and literally.
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| Source : 20thcenturystudios |
Unfulfilled Potential in the Execution of Scares : Rob Savage's directorial approach, characterized by his previous emphasis on negative space and points-of-view, is underutilised in "The Boogeyman". The film's scares follow a predictable formula, relying heavily on sound mixing, false alarms, and placing children in danger. While the use of spare light and sound is a clever aspect, the film fails to fully capitalize on its potential. The script neglects the technological aspects that could have added depth to the scares, missing opportunities for creative screenwriting.
Missed Opportunities and Outdated Terror : Despite the film's focus on the Boogeyman's fear of light, it fails to fully explore the possibilities that modern technology, such as cellphone flashlights, could have offered. As the movie progresses, the monster's terror loses its impact and the omission of these technological elements becomes glaring. The lack of an update to the story and its execution makes "The Boogeyman" feels dated, akin to a pest control saga in need of modernisation.
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| Source : 20thcenturystudios |
Conclusion : "The Boogeyman" falls short of expectations, failing to deliver a genuinely scary PG-13 horror experience. Rob Savage, known for his innovative and provocative work in previous projects, struggles to infuse this film with the same level of creativity and originality. While the movie attempts to explore themes of grief and loss, it falls flat in evoking genuine emotional responses. The scares, although sporadically effective, lack the impact and cleverness expected from a director with Savage's reputation. Ultimately, "The Boogeyman" feels like a missed opportunity to breathe new life into the horror genre, leaving audiences wanting more.
Film Cast : (Main)
1) Chris Messina as Will Harper
2) Sophie Thatcher as Sadie Harper
3) David Dastmalchian as Lester Billings
4) Vivien Lyra Blair as Sawyer Harper
5) LisaGay Hamilton as Dr. Weller
6) Maddie Nichols as Natalie
Director : Rob Savage
Writers : Scott Beck, Bryan Woods, Mark Heyman
Watch Trailer :
