Boogeyman

_What if the monster-in-the-closet is real?_ This was inspired by J-horror flicks like “The Ring” and “The Grudge.” It has the creepy nighttime atmosphere, psychological dread and possible elements of the supernatural of those movies. The slow-burn story is uncomplicated with only a few characters, focusing on the traumatized protagonist (Barry Watson) and his return to his childhood Victorian home on a rural road. One criticism is that viewers never learn who or what the boogeyman is, what his particular beef with Tim is and what his powers are. After watching, I read screenwriter Eric Kripke’s explanation of what was really happening, but his story was embellished by a couple of additional writers and possibly the director, not to mention producers. As such, there are too many things in the story that contradict Kripke’s original idea. Nevertheless, I was able to come up with an explanation that makes sense of all the clues. So, Kripke might think that too many cooks spoiled his broth, but the committee of writers was able to come up with an interesting reason behind the happenings, sort of like “Wendigo” did four years earlier. It’s just that you have to put the pieces of the puzzle together and some people don’t want to make the effort. “Boogeyman” was a surprise modest hit when released and led to two direct-to-video sequels, the first one taking place at a mental hospital in Los Angeles (2007) and the other at a dorm in NorCal (2009). The sequels are self-contained with only a tip of the hat to this one. It runs 1h 29m and was shot in the summer of 2003 in the Auckland area of New Zealand, including Dyke Road, Karaka, which is just south of there (Tim’s childhood home), not to mention Tuakau Bridge on the Waikato River, which is 25 minutes further south. GRADE: B-