Boogeyman

Boogeyman is the story of Tim (Watson), a magazine editor tormented by childhood memories of his dad coming into his bedroom one night to reassure him that the “boogeyman” isn’t waiting in the closet, only for him to be dragged into the closet by the very same monster.  Fifteen years on and grown-up Tim is now living in fear of wardrobes and the dark, with girlfriend Jessica (Mussett).  The funeral of Tim’s mother (Lawless) leads to a return to the creepy old family house; recommended by a doctor who believes it will help him confront his demons, and to childhood love Kate (Deschanel).

With Boogeyman, director Stephen Kay and cinematographer Bobby Bukowski has crafted a competent horror movie, containing tried and tested shock-scares, each adorned with shrieking music and sound effects.  It is bookended by two particularly effective sequences: A creepy opening in young Tim’s bedroom, and a fast-paced chase in the world of the Boogeyman, a world where playing on the imagination is far more effective than bombarding the viewer with anything a computer can create.

Jeff Stuckley