I don’t scare easily, as my siblings and relatives can attest, having grown up with all the spooky things I’ve watched or witnessed.
Nonetheless, I recently watched a movie that got under my skin. It might have been my mental exhaustion, but it had me seeing things in the dark during a midnight snack run, which definitely spooked me out a little.
While working my way through the list of movie recommendations provided by my brother’s best friend, I decided to watch the 2023 film The Boogeyman, directed by Rob Savage.
And let me tell you, as a mother, it unsettled my psyche from the get-go.
THE BOOGEYMAN (2023)
Coming from the horror genre, the boogeyman stands out with several iconic elements.
Rooted in folklore and depicted in countless cinematic incarnations, this archetypal monster has haunted imaginations for generations that scared my cousins and I during sleepovers when we were wee little ladies.
The Boogeyman (2023), on the other hand, breathes new life into this age-old terror with its gripping narrative that twists psychological depth and relentless scares throughout the film.
It centres on the Harper family, who are still recovering from the untimely death of the family matriarch. Sadie Harper, who is of high school age, and her younger sister, Sawyer, try to cope with their loss.
Their father, Will, well, he’s a therapist by profession in the film, but he finds himself too engulfed in his own sorrow to actually take the time to listen and give emotional support that his two daughters obviously desperately need. With that description, you would probably have guessed the vibe the Harper household has set for the chilling storyline that’s about to unfold.
FEAR IN EVERY HUE
Things get seriously spooky when a troubled patient knocks on the Harpers’ door looking for comfort (You’ll instantly recognise the man from the opening of the film though). Little do they know, he’s not alone.
With him comes a creepy supernatural entity that feeds on family distress – the Boogeyman, of course – which thrives on suffering, making the grieving Harper family its perfect prey.
Once the Boogeyman makes an appearance, you can practically feel the tension skyrocket.
This movie is all about those heart-stopping jump scares that catch you off guard and leave you trembling – I’d give it an eight out of 10 rating for jump scares because it kept me glued to my seat.
Every creak of the floor and flicker of a shadow will have you jumping out of your skin. Director Rob Savage really knows how to amp up the fear factor, weaving a web of dread that keeps you hooked from start to finish.
The movie really knows how to keep you on the edge of your seat (and possibly cursing) with its non-stop suspense.
As the Harper family faces off against the spooky entity, one can’t help but feel on edge the whole time. The big question on everyone’s mind is: Will they make it out alive? Will one of them die? These uncertainties kept me totally hooked on what’s going to happen next, cranking up the horror factor to the max.
DEPTHFUL THRILLS
While The Boogeyman definitely knows how to spook you, it’s not all about the scares – there’s some real character depth here too.
Sadie Harper steals the show, bringing a raw and vulnerable performance that’ll tug at your heartstrings. Watching her journey from a grieving teen to a tough survivor is both gripping and relatable. Actors that player her circle of very unsupportive friends also managed to trigger some hate from me. Watch it, and you’ll get it.
And then there’s Sawyer, the little sister, who brings a mix of innocence and bravery that you can’t help but root for.
As for Will, the dad, he’s the epitome of someone trying to keep it together in the face of overwhelming grief. His struggle is real, showing us how even the toughest guys can be brought down by their inner demons. The whole cast delivers top-notch performances, making the supernatural stuff feel totally believable.
Which brings us to how the movie looks into some deep issues like grief and resilience in a really moving way, from how people deal with loss in their own ways and how it affects family relationships – like how Sadie and Sawyer try to reach out to their distant dad that adds an extra emotional punch to the story.
Personally, I don’t condone violence, but watching those instances in the movie made me want to slap some sense into Will.
SPOOKY SPECTACLE
What’s a horror movie without darkness, right? The cinematography really nails that vibe at the Harper home, cranking up the isolation and spook factor with the way they play with light and shadows.
It honestly triggered my claustrophobia with all the darkness, and I know it’s the director’s direction to set the mood, but I couldn’t help but think to myself “are there no light switches in the house?”, what with the thought of the Boogeyman itself is a terrifying creation.
You’ll know it’s about to pop out with its presence hinted at through subtle visual cues before fully revealing its grotesque form. I’d have to say this gradual build-up adds to the suspense and terror.
All in all, Rob Savage’s direction, combined with stellar performances and masterful use of suspense, creates a film that is both terrifying and thought-provoking, and it’s worth a watch. – Izah Azahari
