The Boogeyman – Movie Review

The Boogeyman is based on a Stephen King short story.

The Boogeyman is from the mind of best-selling author Stephen King. The film adaptation is by director Rob Savage who helmed Host. The screenplay was collaborative between Scott Beck and Bryan Woods of A Quiet Place and Mark Heyman o Black Swan. It stars Sophie Thatcher, Chris Messina, Vivien Lyra Blair, Madison Hu, LisaGay Hamilton, and David Dastmalchian. It will be in theaters on June 2nd, 2023.

Synopsis

High school student Sadie Harper and her younger sister Sawyer are reeling from their mother’s recent death 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 made the mistake of watching this movie by myself. As having my own fears as a kid of the Boogeyman himself and nyctophobia, this film tackled my childhood traumas. So many of Stephen King’s stories and books have gotten film adaptations, with only a handful being successful. I cannot speak on the faithfulness of this adaptation; however, as a horror film, this one gave me the chills. It has been a long time since a movie has made my body shiver. 2002’s The Ring was the last time I was honestly freaked out by a horror movie that haunted my mind for weeks.

The film would have been far more effective with an R rating. Despite the chilling jump scares, they become predictable over time. The design of the Boogeyman may also be controversial as it reminds viewers of the world of Stranger Things. Still, it is creepy and grotesque, and I loved the combination of cosmic and spiritual elements intertwined into the creature’s existence. The cast delivered fantastic performances, and seeing Obi-Wan Kenobi’s young Leia, Vivien Lyra Blair, showcase her acting abilities further was a complete joy. David Dastmalchian’s performance is stellar and always manages to deliver perplexity with his character’s motives.

Verdict

I give The Boogeyman 3.5 out of 5 stars. It has many scenes that will terrify you as the childhood fears of many come to life on the big screen. This movie will easily satisfy horror and deliver nightmares. Read more Reviews on Nerdtropolis and Subscribe to our YouTube.