The Boy (Movie Review)

Although sold as innocent playthings, dolls often tend to be a little creepy with their sinister, blank smiles and glassy eyes that stare into one’s soul, creating an eerie feeling that pervades the room. Hollywood has played off of this haunting phenomena for years, creating Horror films crawling with bloodthirsty, killer dolls that frighten audiences everywhere and leave them with the thought of never allowing another Barbie in their home ever again. Some films known for their freaky killer dolls are Trilogy of Terror (1975), Poltergeist (1982), Dolls (1987), Child’s Play (1988), Puppet Master (1989), Dead Silence (2007), and The Conjuring (2013). Just when one thinks their fear of dolls can be hidden away in a closest for good, another story begins.

the boy still 3
Still from The Boy

Distributed by STX Entertainment and directed by William Brent Bell (Stay Alive 2006, The Devil Inside 2012), The Boy is a fantastic, thrilling new Horror film that leaves audiences raving. Released January 22, 2016, the film was produced by Matt Berenson (The Place Beyond the Pines 2012, I, Frankenstein 2014), Roy Lee (The Ring 2002, The Departed 2006), Jim Wedaa (Unstoppable 2004) and 2003 film Underworld’s Tom Rosenberg and Gary Lucchesi. The Boy stars Lauren Cohan (The Walking Dead TV series, Death Race 2010), Rupert Evans (Hellboy 2004, The Canal 2014), James Russell (Deception TV series, Forever TV series), Jim Norton (American History X 1998, Water for Elephants 2011), Diana Hardcastle (If Only 2004, The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel 2015) and Ben Robson (Dracula: The Dark Prince 2013, Hard to Lose 2015). A unique screenplay written by newcomer Stacey Menear (Mixtape) and a musical lineup from Bear McCreary (The Walking Dead TV series, The Forest 2016) all work together to give this British Columbian Horror an intriguing story arc that has never been done before.

Still from The Boy
Still from The Boy

The Boy begins with Greta (Cohan) running away from her troubles in Montana and starting over as a nanny for the Heelshire family in a remote English village. Upon arrival, she falls in love with the gorgeous English fairy-tale house and takes it upon herself to explore its nooks and crannies while she waits for the family to arrive. Meanwhile, she runs into the grocery man, Malcolm (Evans), who gives her a run down on the house and the family, leaving out one specific detail. Soon after, Mr. and Mrs. Heelshire (Norton and Hardcastle) arrive to introduce themselves and their boy, Brahms. Greta is regrettably alarmed when she discovers Brahms is not a human child but a porcelain doll that is being treated as the Heelshires’ own son. Mr. Heelshire explains that real Brahms passed away as a boy during a fire and that his spirit lives on within the doll.

Just when Greta thought the situation could not get any stranger or more peculiar, Mrs. Heelshire presents the rules that must be followed every day to ensure Brahms is happy. After they leave for their vacation, Greta chalks up this bizarre situation to one simple solution – mourning parents – and discusses things with Malcolm, ignoring the doll and the rules that go along with him. Soon after, creepy little things start happening and Greta has to come to terms with her job description and the rules that go along with it, but it is not that simple. With twists and turns around every corner… what will she discover?

Still from The Boy
Still from The Boy

During the opening weekend, The Boy has already grossed over approximately eleven million dollars at the box office, leaving fans raving about the story and wanting to see it again right away. Just when the tensed up audience thinks they understand the story, another wicked surprise and twist happens, sending shock waves throughout the theater. The film was intriguing and exciting from start to finish and is sure to become a Horror classic among lovers of the killer doll franchise. Go see this film, discover the secrets of The Boy, and find out what makes this film stand out so highly among the rest. CrypticRock gives The Boy 5 out of 5 stars.

the boy poster
STX Entertainment

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