The fact that we’re already in October is wild, but I’m not complaining, because it means I get to talk about everything Halloween. And what does Halloween mean? Countless nights spent watching horror flicks, with some of the best streaming services spicing up their libraries with pulse-pounding titles.
While I could recommend so many, I noticed Prime Video just added “The Boogeyman” to its lineup, and I wanted to give this underrated horror flick some attention. Based on a short story by Stephen King and directed by Rob Savage, the movie didn’t stay in the spotlight for long back in June 2023. That may have been due to its jarring summer release or the fact that new “Indiana Jones” and “Transformers” movies hit theaters that same month.
Regardless, “The Boogeyman” deserves every bit of attention this Halloween, and I hope its arrival on Prime Video encourages more viewers to check it out. It’s a creepy, compact experience with impressive visuals and just enough scares to make you wary of the dark for a few hours.
Now that it’s streaming on Prime Video (as of September 5), here’s everything to know about “The Boogeyman” and why it should be on your Halloween watchlist.
Horror has always been my favorite genre, making Halloween my favorite time of year. I could easily spend a whole day recommending horror films to anyone looking for their next scare. Consider it a treat, not a trick, especially now that streaming services are juicing up their libraries for spooky season.
What is ‘The Boogeyman’ about?
“The Boogeyman” follows the Harper family, focusing on sisters Sadie (Sophie Thatcher) and Sawyer (Vivien Lyra Blair) as they cope with the recent loss of their mother. Their father, Will (Chris Messina), a therapist, is struggling to process his own grief and remains emotionally distant.
The story takes a darker turn when a disturbed man, Lester Billings (David Dastmalchian), shows up at Will’s home seeking help, claiming that a sinister entity was responsible for the death of his children. Soon after Lester’s visit, unsettling events begin to plague the Harper household, with young Sawyer experiencing frightening encounters with a malevolent presence that seems to lurk in the shadows.
‘The Boogeyman’ plays out like a spooky family drama
“The Boogeyman” is the definition of a horror movie, but what makes this one stand out is its focus on grief and the impact of trauma on a close-knit family. The Harper sisters are not only coping with the loss of their mother but also with the emotional distance of their father, who is struggling to navigate his own difficult feelings. It almost plays out as a family drama disguised as a horror flick, and it’s surprisingly effective.
Here, Savage crafts a spooky, atmospheric tale that, while not exactly reinventing the wheel, still manages to be clever in its own insidious way. Sophie Thatcher and Vivien Lyra Blair are both incredibly talented, and they manage to elevate their roles far beyond the material on the page. Even in the first act I found myself caring about what happened to them despite their flaws and occasional infuriating decisions in later scenes.
Cinematographer Eli Born absolutely makes this movie sing visually. His camera work bends and sways in ways that give “The Boogeyman” a fantastical feel. I also love the inventive use of light, including a scene where the sisters are hiding in a closet packed with flickering Christmas lights and Blair’s character becoming attached to a glowing globe. It’s such a simple but powerful way of showing someone reaching for a little brightness in the darkness of grief.
Obviously, without giving anything away, the final scene captures the full circle of grief, offering a sense of relief while still delivering enough horror to keep you peeking nervously from behind your hands.
“The Boogeyman” is a solid horror movie, but I want to be upfront so you know what to expect. It’s scary enough, and the talented cast really elevates the material, but the movie does lean on some conventional genre tropes. You’ll get a tense conversation, followed by a character slowly walking down a dark hallway, and then a jump scare. Over time, the pattern can feel predictable.
Even so, it’s an adrenaline-fueled horror movie that also works as a thoughtful, grounded story, with a monster right at its heart. Fair warning: you might need to keep the lights on.
Stream ‘The Boogeyman’ on Prime Video now
“The Boogeyman” is a movie I tend to return to every Halloween, and hopefully it will become a staple on more watchlists. While it currently holds an average 60% on Rotten Tomatoes, I think it deserves a higher score. That said, I do agree with the site’s critics consensus: “The Boogeyman might fall short of its terrifying source material, but a spooky atmosphere and some solid performances help keep the chills coming.”
Among all the titles hitting Prime Video this month, I hope “The Boogeyman” doesn’t fade into the background. Its combination of strong performances and eerie atmosphere makes it a must-watch for horror fans this Halloween.
Stream "The Boogeyman" on Prime Video now.
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