Plot

Welcome To The Boogeyman (2023) Movie review. The Boogeyman is a 2023 American horror film directed by Scott Derrickson and written by Derrickson, Robert D. Siegel, and Mark Heyman. The film is based on the 1978 short story of the same name by Stephen King. It stars Chris Messina, Sophie Turner, and David Dastmalchian.

The film follows Sadie Harper (Turner), a teenage girl who must protect her younger sister, Harper (Sophie Thatcher), from a terrifying creature that has been summoned by their grieving father, Will (Messina).

The film opens with Will, a psychiatrist, treating a young patient named Lester Billings (Dastmalchian). Lester tells Will a harrowing story about how his three children were all killed by a creature that he calls the Boogeyman. Lester claims that the Boogeyman is summoned whenever a child is afraid, and that the only way to stop it is to kill the child.

Will doesn’t believe Lester’s story, and he calls the police to have him taken away. However, Lester escapes from the police station and goes to Will’s house, where he hangs himself in the Harpers’ art closet.

Lester’s death leaves Will and his daughters traumatized. Sadie, who is still struggling to cope with the death of her mother, is particularly affected. She begins to have nightmares about the Boogeyman, and she starts to believe that it is real.

Will, on the other hand, refuses to believe in the Boogeyman. He believes that Lester’s story was all in his head. However, when Harper starts to act strangely and exhibit signs of fear, Will begins to worry that the Boogeyman may be real after all.

One night, Sadie hears Harper crying in her room. She goes to investigate and finds Harper hiding under the bed. Harper tells Sadie that the Boogeyman is in her closet. Sadie opens the closet, but she doesn’t see anything.

Sadie tries to reassure Harper that the Boogeyman isn’t real, but Harper is convinced that it is. She tells Sadie that the Boogeyman is coming for her.

That night, Sadie is awakened by the sound of Harper’s screams. She runs to Harper’s room and finds Harper being attacked by the Boogeyman. Sadie tries to fight off the creature, but it is too strong.

Just when it seems like the Boogeyman is about to kill Sadie, Will arrives and knocks the creature out. Will and Sadie take Harper to the hospital, where she is treated for her injuries.

While Harper is in the hospital, Will does some research on the Boogeyman. He learns that the creature is a shapeshifter that can take on the form of anything that its victim fears most. He also learns that the only way to defeat the Boogeyman is to confront your fear.

Will realizes that he needs to confront his own fear of the Boogeyman in order to save his daughters. He goes back to the house and confronts the creature in the art closet.

The Boogeyman shapeshifts into Will’s greatest fear: his dead wife. Will is terrified, but he knows that he must defeat the creature in order to save his daughters.

Will confronts his fear and attacks the Boogeyman. He manages to kill the creature, but he is seriously injured in the process.

Will is taken to the hospital, where he recovers from his injuries. Sadie and Harper are overjoyed to see that their father is okay.

The film ends with Sadie and Harper sitting by Will’s bedside in the hospital. Sadie tells Will that she loves him, and Will tells her that he loves her too.

Action Sequences

The 2023 movie The Boogeyman is a psychological horror film that relies on suspense and dread to build tension and scare the audience. As such, there are relatively few action sequences in the film. However, the few action sequences that do occur are well-choreographed and suspenseful.

One of the most notable action sequences in the film occurs in the third act, when the protagonist, Sadie Harper (Sophie Thatcher), confronts the Boogeyman in her childhood home. This sequence is full of suspense and dread, as Sadie is slowly hunted by the Boogeyman through the house. The sequence is also notable for its use of practical effects, which helps to make the Boogeyman feel more real and threatening.

Another notable action sequence in the film occurs in the climax, when Sadie confronts the Boogeyman in the basement of her childhood home. This sequence is even more suspenseful and action-packed than the previous sequence, as Sadie fights for her life against the Boogeyman. The sequence is also notable for its use of special effects, which help to create a truly terrifying and visceral experience for the audience.

Overall, the action sequences in The Boogeyman are well-choreographed and suspenseful. They are used sparingly throughout the film, but they are always effective at building tension and scaring the audience.

Here is a more detailed breakdown of the two action sequences mentioned above:

The third-act action sequence:

Sadie is exploring her childhood home when she hears a noise coming from the attic. She goes to investigate, but the attic is empty. As she is about to leave, she hears a noise behind her and turns to see the Boogeyman standing there. The Boogeyman chases Sadie through the attic and down the stairs.

Sadie runs into the living room and tries to barricade herself in, but the Boogeyman breaks through the barricade and chases her into the kitchen. Sadie grabs a knife and tries to fight back, but the Boogeyman is too strong. Sadie is knocked to the ground and the Boogeyman is about to kill her when Sadie’s sister, Grace (Chris Messina), arrives and shoots the Boogeyman with a shotgun.

The climax action sequence:

Sadie and Grace go to the basement of their childhood home to confront the Boogeyman. The Boogeyman attacks them and they fight back. The Boogeyman is too strong for them and they are both knocked to the ground. The Boogeyman is about to kill Sadie when she grabs a flare gun and shoots the Boogeyman in the face. The Boogeyman catches fire and runs out of the basement. Sadie and Grace follow him outside and watch as he burns to death.

Both of these action sequences are well-choreographed and suspenseful. They are used sparingly throughout the film, but they are always effective at building tension and scaring the audience.

Character Development

The 2023 film The Boogeyman is a horror thriller that follows a teenage girl and her younger sister as they are terrorized by a sinister entity after their mother’s death. The film features significant character development for the two main characters, Sadie and Sawyer Harper.

Sadie Harper

Sadie is a 16-year-old girl who is struggling to cope with the death of her mother. She is withdrawn and isolated from her peers, and she has developed a rebellious streak. At the beginning of the film, Sadie is angry at her father, Will, for not being there for her and her sister. She refuses to talk about her mother’s death, and she lashes out at her father when he tries to comfort her.

However, as the film progresses, Sadie begins to open up to her father about her feelings. She also starts to take more responsibility for her own life and the safety of her sister.

Sadie’s character development is most evident in the way she confronts the Boogeyman. At first, she is terrified of the creature and refuses to believe that it is real. But as the Boogeyman’s attacks become more frequent and more violent, Sadie realizes that she has to stand up to it in order to protect her sister. In the end, Sadie uses her courage and her love for Sawyer to defeat the Boogeyman.

Sawyer Harper

Sawyer is a 10-year-old girl who is also struggling to cope with the death of her mother. She is clingy and fearful, and she has trouble sleeping at night. At the beginning of the film, Sawyer is reliant on her sister, Sadie, for protection and comfort.

However, as the film progresses, Sawyer begins to develop her own strength and courage. She faces her fears head-on, and she even helps Sadie to defeat the Boogeyman. Sawyer’s character development is most evident in the way she confronts the Boogeyman in the final scene of the film. She stands up to the creature and tells it that she is not afraid of it. Sawyer’s bravery inspires Sadie to defeat the Boogeyman once and for all.

Overall, The Boogeyman is a well-crafted horror thriller that features significant character development for the two main characters. Sadie and Sawyer Harper are both complex and relatable characters who experience significant growth and change over the course of the film. Their character development is one of the things that makes the film so compelling to watch.

Themes

The 2023 film adaptation of Stephen King’s The Boogeyman explores a number of complex themes, including:

 Grief and loss: The Harper family is still reeling from the tragic death of their mother when the Boogeyman begins to torment them. Sadie and Sawyer struggle to cope with their grief, while their father, Will, becomes increasingly withdrawn and distant. The film explores the different ways that people grieve and the challenges of moving on after a loved one dies.

Mental illness: Will Harper is a therapist who specializes in treating trauma and anxiety. However, he is struggling to cope with his own grief and mental health issues. The Boogeyman preys on Will’s vulnerabilities, exploiting his fears and insecurities. The film explores the complex relationship between mental illness and horror, and the ways in which trauma can manifest itself in our lives.

The power of the imagination: The Boogeyman is a creature of the imagination, a manifestation of our deepest fears. The film suggests that the Boogeyman has power over us only because we believe in it. Sadie and Sawyer must learn to confront their fears and face the Boogeyman head-on in order to defeat it.

The importance of family: Despite their differences, the Harper family must come together to defeat the Boogeyman. The film suggests that family is our greatest strength and that we are stronger together than we are apart.

In addition to these themes, the film also explores other topics such as:

 The nature of evil

 The power of belief

 The dangers of suppressing our emotions

 The importance of communication and trust

The Boogeyman is a complex and thought-provoking film that explores a variety of themes in a nuanced and intelligent way. It is a horror film that is both scary and moving, and it will stay with you long after you watch it.

Direction

The Boogeyman (2023) is directed by Rob Savage, who is best known for his found footage horror film Host (2020). Savage’s direction of The Boogeyman is characterized by its use of suspense, atmosphere, and psychological horror.

Savage uses a number of techniques to create suspense and atmosphere in the film. He often uses slow pans and close-ups to create a sense of dread and anticipation. He also uses sound design effectively to create a sense of unease and tension. For example, in one scene, the protagonist hears a strange noise coming from her closet. The noise is initially subtle, but it gradually gets louder and more insistent. This creates a sense of suspense and fear in the audience, as they know that something is wrong, but they don’t know what it is or what is going to happen next.

Savage also uses psychological horror to great effect in The Boogeyman. He plays on the audience’s fears of the unknown and the dark. He also uses the protagonist’s own grief and trauma to make her more vulnerable and susceptible to fear. For example, in one scene, the protagonist sees a vision of her dead mother in the closet. This vision terrifies her, but it also forces her to confront her own grief and trauma.

Overall, Rob Savage’s direction of The Boogeyman is effective in creating a suspenseful, atmospheric, and psychologically disturbing film. He uses a variety of techniques to create fear and dread in the audience, and he plays on the audience’s own fears and vulnerabilities.

Here are some specific examples of Savage’s direction in the film:

 In the scene where the protagonist first hears the noise in her closet, Savage uses a slow pan to reveal the closet door. The camera holds on the door for a long moment, creating a sense of suspense and anticipation.

 In the scene where the protagonist has a vision of her dead mother in the closet, Savage uses a close-up of the protagonist’s face to show her terror and distress.

 Savage also uses sound design effectively in the film. For example, in the scene where the protagonist is walking down the hallway at night, Savage uses a low rumble sound to create a sense of unease and tension.

Savage’s direction of The Boogeyman has been praised by critics for its effectiveness in creating a suspenseful, atmospheric, and psychologically disturbing film.

Cinematography

The cinematography of the 2023 film “The Boogeyman” is dark, atmospheric, and suspenseful. Cinematographer Eli Born uses a variety of techniques to create a sense of claustrophobia and dread, including:

Tight framing: Born often frames the characters tightly, which can make the viewer feel trapped and uneasy. For example, in one scene, the main character Sadie is framed in the corner of a closet with the Boogeyman lurking in the shadows behind her.

Low-key lighting: Born uses low-key lighting to create a sense of darkness and mystery. The film’s palette is dominated by shades of black, brown, and gray, with only occasional pops of color. This creates a sense of foreboding, as the viewer is never sure what might be lurking in the darkness.

Shadows and reflections: Born uses shadows and reflections to create a sense of unease and suspense. For example, in one scene, Sadie sees her own reflection in a mirror, but something is off about it. Her reflection seems to be moving on its own, and her eyes are glowing red.

Subjective camerawork: Born uses subjective camerawork to put the viewer in the character’s shoes and experience the horror firsthand. For example, in one scene, the viewer sees the world through the eyes of the Boogeyman as it stalks its prey.

Overall, the cinematography of “The Boogeyman” is effective in creating a sense of suspense and dread. Born’s use of tight framing, low-key lighting, shadows, reflections, and subjective camerawork all contribute to the film’s unsettling atmosphere.

Here are some specific examples of how the cinematography is used to create suspense and dread:

 In the opening scene, the camera follows Sadie as she walks through her dark, empty house. The camera is held close to Sadie’s shoulder, giving the viewer a sense of her vulnerability. The lighting is low, and the shadows are deep, creating a sense of mystery and foreboding.

 In one scene, Sadie is sitting in her bedroom when she hears a noise in the closet. She slowly gets up and opens the closet door, but it is empty. The camera is positioned behind Sadie, so the viewer sees what she sees: the empty closet. But the camera also captures the reflection of the Boogeyman in the mirror behind Sadie. The viewer knows that the Boogeyman is there, but Sadie does not.

 In another scene, Sadie is running through the woods at night. The camera is held close to Sadie’s shoulder, and the lighting is very low. The viewer can only see what Sadie can see: the trees and bushes rushing by in the darkness. The camera’s movement and the sound of Sadie’s breathing create a sense of panic and urgency.

The cinematography of “The Boogeyman” is an important part of what makes the film so effective. Born’s use of light, shadow, and camerawork creates a sense of suspense and dread that keeps the viewer on the edge of their seat.

Music 

The music of the 2023 movie The Boogeyman was composed by Patrick Jonsson, a Swedish composer known for his work on other horror films such as The House That Jack Built (2018) and The Invisible Man (2020). Jonsson’s score for The Boogeyman is a dark and atmospheric work that perfectly captures the film’s sense of dread and suspense.

The score is built around a number of recurring themes, including a dissonant four-note motif that represents the Boogeyman himself. This motif is used throughout the film to create a sense of unease and foreboding, and it often appears in scenes where the characters are feeling threatened or afraid.

Another important theme in the score is a series of ascending and descending chromatic scales. These scales are used to create a sense of tension and instability, and they reflect the characters’ growing anxiety as they realize that they are being hunted by a supernatural creature.

The score also features a number of more percussive elements, such as drums and metallic scrapes. These elements are used to create a sense of urgency and danger, and they often appear in scenes where the characters are being attacked or pursued.

Overall, Jonsson’s score for The Boogeyman is a masterful piece of work that perfectly complements the film’s visuals and tone. It is a dark and atmospheric score that creates a sense of dread and suspense, and it helps to elevate the film into a truly terrifying experience.

In addition to Jonsson’s original score, the film also features a number of licensed songs, including:

 “Jeff Goldblum” by Mattiel

 “Midnight Sun” by Nilüfer Yanya

 “Bite the Hand” by boygenius

 “Set It on Fire” by Blood Cultures

 “Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ral (That’s an Irish Lullaby)” by J.R. Shannon

 “Blue Moon” by Beck

 “The Bare Necessities” by Terry Gilkyson

 “Proof” by Methyl Ethel

 “Burning Love” by Dennis Linde

These songs are used throughout the film to create a sense of atmosphere and to reflect the characters’ emotional states. For example, the song “Jeff Goldblum” is used in a scene where the protagonist is feeling hopeful and optimistic, while the song “Bite the Hand” is used in a scene where she is feeling angry and vengeful.

The licensed songs in The Boogeyman are all excellent choices, and they help to make the film’s soundtrack one of the most memorable and atmospheric of the year.

Personal Opinion

I really enjoyed the 2023 adaptation of Stephen King’s short story “The Boogeyman.” I thought the film was well-made, with strong performances, effective scares, and a suspenseful atmosphere.

The film is directed by Rob Savage, who previously directed the horror films Host and Dashcam. Savage does a great job of creating a sense of dread and unease throughout the film. He uses clever camerawork and sound design to create a truly immersive experience for the viewer.

The performances in the film are also excellent. Sophie Thatcher is particularly good as Sadie Harper, a young woman who is struggling to cope with the death of her mother and the disappearance of her father. Thatcher’s performance is both believable and sympathetic, and she really sells the terror that Sadie experiences throughout the film.

The Boogeyman is a slow-burn horror film, but it’s worth the wait. The film does a great job of building suspense and dread, and the scares are genuinely effective. I particularly liked the way that the film uses Sadie’s own imagination against her.

Overall, I thought The Boogeyman was a well-made and effective horror film. It’s not perfect, but it’s definitely worth a watch for fans of the genre.

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