The Boogeyman

Never in human history has mankind had access to such a wide variety of lighting implements for virtually any lighting need.

You've got LED flashlights packed with thousands of lumens. Battery powered, solar powered, you name it. Even a cheap dollar store flashlight these days is capable of lighting up your entire backyard so you can see who's been stealing your underthings.

Headlamps? We got headlamps. Get one with a rechargeable battery pack and you'll never be without hands free lighting again.

Why not try the Ryobi work light, which will blast 4,200 blinding lumens at that hard to reach manifold, difficult basement job, or closet dwelling creature trying to eat your kids. It's powered by the popular ONE+ battery so you'll never be in the dark again.

Want something more budget friendly? Strap on a puck light or grab a packet of glow sticks at the dollar store (deep down, didn't you know we'd be back at the dollar store again?) and light up your world for mere pocket change.

Of course, if an ancient evil creature is menacing your family and that creature exists only in the dark, you may choose to go without all of these lighting needs and try fighting it with... Oh, I dunno. An bulk supply of tea candles? Your dead mom's almost-out-of-juice zippo lighter? Some 1970s era Christmas lights that depend on an extension cord, even though electrical power seems to be out all over the house?

Now, see here. I actually enjoyed The Boogeyman to some extent, because the scenes were shot well and it was decently acted. But come on. If even one of the bonehead characters in this movie had made just a cursory trip to Harbor Freight (I like to plug aaaall the stores,) they could have completely vanquished that rather feeble creature the very first night. Hell, what I keep in my glove compartment would have sent that Predator-wannabee packing lickety split.

I'm sorry, but when you get right down to it, that boogey creature wasn't all the powerful. In fact, the most dangerous thing it seemed to accomplish was the spreading of mold throughout the house. That's gonna cost the family a pretty penny to eradicate. Too bad they don't have a Tractor Supply, Dollar Tree or Harbor Freight in their neighborhood.

Kind of a cool movie and some scary scenes, but you have to suspend belief a little too much for it to really sink it. I mean, gee whiz, fellas. They make bright lights with little motion sensors on them now, because we live in a time of wonders.

The Boogeyman is a horror movie inspired by a Stephen King short story. The film revolves around Sadie Harper (played by Sophie Thatcher) and her younger sister Sawyer, who are struggling to cope with the loss of their mother. Their father, a therapist, attempts to assist them in dealing with their grief, but their household becomes a site of mysterious occurrences.

Directed by Rob Savage, known for his work on "Host" and "Dashcam," the movie is completely unoriginal. The plot feels predictable and derivative, borrowing elements from other horror films. The story progresses slowly, resulting in very few genuine scares.

The themes of grief and trauma are present in the film but are not explored in depth. The movie's overall tone aims for darkness and sombreness but fails to establish a pervasive sense of dread or suspense. Sophie Thatcher's performance as Sadie is commendable, delivering a solid portrayal of her character. However, the remaining cast members are forgettable, and their characters remain underdeveloped throughout the film.

The director, Rob Savage, demonstrates some competence with a few visually striking scenes. Nevertheless, the movie lacks a distinct visual style to set it apart. The score is forgettable, failing to leave a lasting impression, while the cinematography is serviceable but unremarkable.

The production design and special effects in The Boogeyman are decent but cannot salvage the movie's overall poor quality. The editing suffers from sloppiness, resulting in disjointed and poorly paced scenes. The dialogue lacks inspiration, with characters frequently delivering exposition and relying on clichéd lines.

The Boogeyman is an easily forgettable horror movie that struggles to deliver genuine scares or explore emotional depth. Its derivative and predictable nature, underdeveloped characters and slow-paced plot contribute to its lacklustre impact. The film fails to establish a distinct visual style despite a few visually striking moments. Unless you are a diehard horror genre fan, it is best to avoid this one.

While I give the film props for an interesting and unique creature design, it can't really elevate a movie that just feels mediocre.

The film presents itself as something of a metaphor for grief, but it ultimately feels extremely toned down and toothless. Jump scares aside, the movie does very little to ratchet up its tension, making its handful of tense moments feel a bit like islands in a sea of "get on with it".

The performances are fine, but ultimately the film never lets the characters really get to dig into their own trauma and depression in a way that might give the film some much needed depth. It ends of feeling as if someone wanted to make the Babadook, but in the style of films like House on Haunted Hill or Thirteen Ghosts.

It's a pleasant enough watch, but you'll forget it in a week.

Fairly enjoyable dark and creepy, jump scare fest.

Its a terrible title - makes it sound like an 80's straight to video affair.

Get past the title and what you have is a fairly enjoyable horror movie.

Theres not much any horror fan won't have seen many times - something goes bump in the night, the person experiencing it is not believed, things escalate... Jump scares.

Its fairly well done. It got a little silly towards the end that took me out of it a bit, but for the most part its enjoyable.

I doubt I'll watch it again or see it as a milestone film, but not every movie is a classic - some are just an enjoyable way to spend 90 minutes or so.

Refreshingly it is only 90 ish minutes rather than the current trend for over long posterior numbing.

I felt this was a mediocre movie. Some of the jump scares in the first half were pretty well done, but when the Boogeyman started to make a real appearance, the wheels came off for me.

I think the acting was pretty good but there was nothing original or special in this movie. I feel that it's difficult to make a truly scary movie that sticks with you long after you've left the theater; I was hoping The Boogeyman would stick to my bones a bit, but it did not.

If you're looking to kill some time with some jump scares, this is an okay flick. If you're looking for something truly frightening and engaging, I don't believe this is it.