Beware the Boogeyman (2024)

Director: Calvin Morie McCarthy, Josh Dietrich, Kai Pacifico Eng, Tim Coyle, Chynna Rae Shurts

Year: 2024

Country: USA

Alternate Titles: N/A

Genre: Anthology

Plot:

Arriving at a remote psychiatric hospital, a new resident doctor tries to learn more about her patients who share a specific delusion about the same supernatural entity.

Review:

Case File 1-After bringing a date home to her remote house,, a woman preps a clueless partner for an encounter with the boogeyman haunting the home. This was a fairly solid way to get things going. The fact that it tends to revolve around her actions hinting that something far darker than a hookup is the main intent gives this a solid bit of suspense as his clueless actions hint that it is just as much as the off-kilter colored lighting signaling the creatures' presence in the house. The resolution is expected but no less fun based on the setup provided, especially with the various backstories for each character used to give everything a bit more context, meaning this was a solid way to start the anthology.

Case File 2-Trying to get over her personal issues, a woman on a new medication regimen begins to suspect that a supernatural being might be stalking her. This was a solid enough segment even if it does suffer from a few flaws. The solid setup and series of interactions that she has with the painting she’s working on in the house make for a fine time as the ever-changing images conform nicely with her burgeoning unraveled mental state. The lone attack is well handled but being one of the shortest segments doesn’t leave this with a lot of time to go in-depth on anything, especially her history with the figure or why it’s after her as the only interaction is the lone attack. Beyond this, though, there’s still some fun enough stuff here.

Case File 3-Helping a family member with a special task, a young man waiting around a remote house in the countryside with him finds a supernatural being stalking him. This was a generally problematic entry without much going for it. The excess length isn't used to much good as it's more about the kids' unraveling psychosis being out in the wilderness with the shady antics trying to hint that the being is following them but to no avail. It's all pretty dull and not that exciting or scary until the lone scene of the creature attacking since that's the only part that's worthwhile, and in general, this one just meanders on way too long without doing anything to overcome that making for a segment that could've been trimmed down to come off much better.

Case File 4-Headed out to a remote house, a woman joins a strange man trying to capture evidence of the Boogeyman haunting the house to prove it exists. This was a pretty fun enough segment that has a lot to like. The early setup with the mismatched couple trying to drive out to the countryside to find the specific house, get their equipment sorted out, and get everything going is a fine touch here, especially the atmosphere within the house which looks suitably haunted which is a factor that comes into play the more they stay there filming. Most of these scenes are quite chilling despite the comedy of her interactions and quips about being there, and with the same theatrics present for the creature adds quite a lot to this one overall even if this does become quite predictable.

Case File 5-Trying to stay clean in life, a troubled young man with a drug problem finds his mother’s warnings about the Boogeyman coming to get him might be true. Overall, this wasn't a bad way to end this one on. The series of interactions here give an idea of his history and trouble with his drug problem and the various interactions with his mother to get over that create a fantastic way to get things going that turn into some genuinely chilling encounters once the creature arrives to fulfill its promise as the action around the house is quite fun. That helps to cover the goofiness of the creature’s look as this is the most obviously silly and low-budget in the anthology, and ends this on a positive note.

Beware the Boogeyman-Arriving at a remote psychiatric hospital, a new resident doctor tries to learn more about her patients who share a specific delusion about the same supernatural entity. On the whole, this is a rather fun setup that provides what it needs to in this type of story. As a means of working in a plausible method for the various stories, this comes off great as looking into the history of each individual who encountered it is a fine touch and the banter between looking at the next individual creates a fine way of moving things along as more pieces fall into place. Despite this being a wholly familiar setup that a classic anthology of the past utilized as well which does make for a slightly familiar role, this still has a lot to like.

Overview: ****/5

A rather fun anthology that has a lot to like, this one comes off rather nicely and has a lot to like while only being let down by one segment which leaves this one really fun for what it is. Give it a shot if you’re a fan of this particular style, appreciate anthologies in general, or are a fan of the creative crew while most others who don’t appreciate these factors should heed caution.