Director: Stephen Kay
Writer: Eric Kripke, Juliet Snowden, Stiles White (Screenplay) Eric Kripke (Story)
Starring: Barry Watson, Emily Deschanel, Skye McCole Bartusiak, Tory Mussett, Andrew Glover, Lucy Lawless, Charles Mesure
Plot: A young man tries to deal with the childhood terror that has affected his life.
Verdict: Lock your Closest
Story: We follow as one boy has his father taken by the Boogeyman, grown up he still contains fears of the dark while trying to live a normal life. Upon his mother’s death he returns home to confront his demon once and for all. We see that while he attempts to get over his fear he uncovers a truth about a string of missing person and when a loved one gets taken again the presences intensifies.
Using a basic fear every child has of a mythical Boogeyman and how if it is not treated correctly it could turn into an adult fear, this all works well to create a creature for this horror. Now for the massive plot whole issues, does any of the family and friends believe the dad just left without taking anything? Sure the kidnapped by the Boogeyman is hard to believe but still they should have looked into the mystery disappearance. Not only his disappearance but the large amount of people who have vanished without a trance seems to make for a big argument about a potential serial killer out there, but no just no investigation at all. Once we see past these two plot holes we get an interesting horror that is very much no stop with the tension building and goes for plenty of scares. The story isn’t the most difficult to follow and will keep your attention all the way through, which does all you want a horror to do. (6/10)
Actor Review
Barry Watson: Tim the grown up version of the young boy who lost his father, he still struggles with closest doors, and darkness, in all honestly I’m not sure how this guy sleeps with this much fear. He returns home to fight the creature once and for all. Good performance in the role that has to carry the film. (7/10)
Emily Deschanel: Kate an old friend of Tim’s who tries to support him in his return to clean up his family home. She never believed him about the creature but she will learn he was right by the end. Solid support performance, who gets a chance to be a scream queen. (6/10)
Skye McCole Bartusiak: Franny a little girl who visits Tim and helps him get through the problem. Nice supporting performance offering advice. (6/10)
Tory Mussett: Jessica girlfriend of Tim, who has supported him through his problems and upon making a surprise visit she becomes the creatures latest victim. Solid performance with what little time she has to work with. (6/10)
Support Cast: Mostly family members who all end up offering a small moment of advice to the hero as he goes to battle the Creature. But they also comprise of people from his past who have been affected by the experience.
Director Review: Stephen Kay – Solid direction creating plenty of scares throughout that will leave give you jumps and make you check under your bed before you go to sleep. (7/10)
Horror: Has plenty of jump scares that are all well built up. (8/10)
Mystery: You are left to wonder what could have happened but it never offers you another option to what might have happened. (6/10)
Thriller: Well built up scenes make you put the pillow down before the jump. (8/10)
Settings: Each setting however normal it looks is made to look like something scary could happen there. (8/10)
Special Effects: The Creature creation is CGI and kind of disappoints once you see it. (4/10)
Suggestion: This is one for the horror fans to enjoy, it will have you having jump scares but don’t expect any gore. (Horror Fans Watch)
Best Part: Opening Sequences doesn’t hold back
Worst Part: Big plot hole issues
Believability: No (0/10)
Chances of Tears: No (0/10)
Chances of Sequel: Has sequels
Post Credits Scene: Yes
Oscar Chances: No
Box Office: $46 Million
Budget: $20 Million
Runtime: 1 Hour 29 Minutes
Tagline: You thought it was just a story, but it’s real
Overall: Strong horror
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