MOVIE REVIEW: THE BOOGEYMAN

 

High school student Sadie Harper and her younger sister, Sawyer, are still reeling from the recent death of their mother. They're not getting much support from their father, Will, a therapist who's dealing with his own intense pain. When a desperate patient unexpectedly shows up at their house seeking help, he leaves behind a terrifying supernatural entity that preys on families and feeds on the suffering of its victims.

Director: Rob Savage

Cast:  Sophie Thatcher, Chris Messina, Vivien Lyra Blair, David Dastmalchian, LisaGay Hamilton, Marin Ireland, Madison Hu

Release Date: June 2, 2023

Genre: Horror, Mystery,Thriller

Rated PG-13 for terror, violent content, teen drug use and some strong language

Runtime: 1h 38m

The Boogeyman is a solidly crafted, well acted horror film which never takes full advantage of either by leaning too much on old school tropes.  Rob Savage's direction is more than capable of establishing mood and setting up scares throughout.  Those looking for a direct adaptation of King's original short story will likely be disappointed since the film only uses a small bit of it as a jumping off point before turning into a fairly predictable monster film that's been done plenty of times beforehand.  It's a shame since the original story was effectively unnerving and delivered a memorable ending that would have made this film something special.  Instead, the script uses increasingly predictable tropes and beats ultimately wasting a pair of strong performances from Sophie Thatcher and Vivien Lyra Blair.  Thatcher's turn in particular is deeply committed that you just wish she had better material to work with.  The Boogeyman isn't a terrible film by any stretch of the imagination but its definitely a forgettable experience that never lives up to its potential.  

C+

MOVIE REVIEW: THE EMPTY MAN

 

On the trail of a missing girl, an ex-cop comes across a secretive group attempting to summon a terrifying supernatural entity.

Director: David Prior

Cast: James Badge Dale, Marin Ireland, Stephen Root, Ron Canada, Robert Aramayo, Joel Courtney, Sasha Frolova

Release Date: October 22, 2020

Genre: Crime, Drama, Horror

Rated R for violence, disturbing images, language, some sexuality and nudity

Runtime: 2 h 17 min

Review:

The Empty Man is surprisingly engaging horror film that echoes The Ring with dashes of A Nightmare on Elm Street.  David Prior lets his film’s mystery unfurl organically allowing it to slowly wrap you into the central mystery.  There are a few tantalizing hints dropped here and there to keep you engaged.  Thankfully this horror film doesn’t rely on cheap jump scares with only a handful used for maximum effect.  As the twist and turns reveal themselves and the characters make for a fun watch.  James Badge Dale leads the film, initially stoic but he loosens up as the film moves along.  As the audience’s proxy he’s a believable and likable lead even with the film’s dark tone.  The rest of the cast is made up of recognizable character actors and fresh faces which let the story be the central focus.  It’s to the film’s benefit that the mystery is good fun and it’s wrapped up in a solid and satisfying way.  This film marks the final 20^th Century Fox release after the Disney merger.  The Empty Man has been quietly released during the current pandemic with little to no fanfare, it’s a shame since it’s a well made film that will likely become a hidden gem once it hits VOD and Bluray. 

B