Director: William Brent Bell
Writer: Stacey Menear (Screenplay)
Starring: Lauren Cohan, Rupert Evans, James Russell, Jim Norton, Dian Hardcastle, Ben Robson, Jett Klyne
Plot: An American nanny is shocked that her new English family’s boy is actually a life-sized doll. After she violates a list of strict rules, disturbing events make her believe that the doll is really alive.
There may be spoilers the rest of the review
Verdict: Atmospheric Thriller
Story: The Boy starts as Greta Evans (Cohan) moves to England to start a new life as a nanny and after a flirtatious meeting with Malcolm (Evans) she meets the Heelshire’s Mr (Norton) & Mrs (Hardcastle) who introduce her to their son Brahms a creepy doll. Greta learning the ways of family when it comes to looking after Brahms as the Heelshire’s are going away from a vacation.
Alone in the house Greta puts the doll aside to focus on why she has taken this job away from her home. Greta continues to enjoy her time alone even agreeing to go on a date with Malcolm until strange things start going on in the house she is left wondering what really happened to Brahms leading the family to have this doll that enjoys playing with its nannies.
Greta embraces the idea that Brahms is in fact alive and just wants to be cared for by his mother and nanny, but when her past catches up with her the nightmare is about to beginning.
The Boy is a horror thriller that really builds all the tension throughout only for the ending to feel like something we have seen before. I have one huge question that makes me wonder a lot about this film and that is why would an English couple hire an American nanny and why would she agree to the job before seeing the child. This might be me but still left me wondering. I do feel a lot of the story is very clichéd with how it all played out and with the characters. The selling point on this story is the creepy doll that will really does come off original.
Actor Review
Lauren Cohan: Greta is an American nanny who comes to England for her latest job, it is clear she is seeing this as a new start from something. She is shocked to learn she is looking after a doll and that she finds herself alone in a mansion looking after a doll. Greta finds herself alone but not sure if she is alone as she learns about Brahms real self her past could be about to catch up with her. Lauren is good in this role but it is hard to see her in a vulnerable role after the Walking Dead.
Rupert Evans: Malcolm is the friendly delivery man that comes to the house once a week, he strikes up a friendship with her and fills in the gaps when it comes to the real Brahms. Rupert does well in this role but feels like a basic supporting role.
Diana Hardcastle: Mrs Heelshire is the mother of the doll, she is very attached to the doll which she sees as her own son, she gives all the rules to Grete before leaving her alone in the house. Diana is good in this basic supporting character that gives out the rules.
Jim Norton: Mr Heelshire brings Greta into his house as the family’s new nanny, he is very distance and determined to final have the holiday they haven’t had in years. Jim is good as the basic supporting character.
Support Cast: The Boy has a small supporting cast that doesn’t give us the most to work with outside Lauren.
Director Review: William Brent Bell – William gives us a very well built up horror that doesn’t reach the full potential it could have.
Horror: The Boy gives us a good atmospheric horror throughout.
Thriller: The Boy does keep us wondering about what is happening from the first moment in the house.
Settings: The Boy keeps the whole film inside the grounds of the property where Greta ends up working.
Special Effects: The Boy has good effects throughout with everything that happens though the film.
Suggestion: The Boy is one for the horror fans to try, it does have its good moments. (Horror Fans Try)
Best Part: The atmosphere throughout.
Worst Part: Seen the ending before.
Believability: No
Chances of Tears: No
Chances of Sequel: Left open for one.
Post Credits Scene: No
Oscar Chances: No
Box Office: $22 Million
Budget: $10 Million
Runtime: 1 Hour 37 Minutes
Tagline: Every child needs to feel loved
Trivia: Originally titled “The Inhabitant” but was changed due to scenes cut out for the PG-13 rating to a better fitting title.
Overall: Very well built horror that falls slightly flat in the final act
Rating
