Yesterday, 20th Century Studios treated this year’s CinemaCon attendees to a very special early screening of Rob Savage’s The Boogeyman, based on the Stephen King short story of the same name. For what feels like months now we’ve been hearing Savage’s film was a full-on barnburner, one that tested so well with its first preview audience that 20th Century opted not to release the film on streaming (as was originally intended), but via a wide theatrical release. Hey, it worked for Smile, right?
Anyway, judging by some of the social media reactions we saw from attending press in the wake of that screening, the hype is to be believed: apparently, The Boogeyman is so scary that there were multiple walkouts!
Here’s a taste of the post-screening reactions, via Twitter:
Got to see The Boogeyman at #CinemaCon2023, and I am a very happy Stephen King fan right now. Like the short story, it’s a simple horror tale, but an effective and freaky one that delivers some great monster-centric scares. Definitely a “see it with a crowd” experience. pic.twitter.com/swUiGIr40I
— Eric Eisenberg (@eeisenberg) April 26, 2023
Saw #TheBoogeyman at #CinemaCon today and it freaking rules. Beautifully shot, super creepy, & excellent lead performances by Sophie Thatcher & Lil Leia herself, Vivien Lyra Blair.
Most surprisingly though is the action! There’s some amazing horror action in it. Out June 2. pic.twitter.com/v2Ec8NYlTW
— Germain Lussier (@GermainLussier) April 26, 2023
#TheBoogeyman is an efficient effective horror movie. You may have a sense of deja vu of other horror movies but it manages to work due to good direction, sound & atmosphere. Last 20 minutes are sweaty palms edge of your seat thriller @CinemaCon #Disney100 pic.twitter.com/7pGNK65UUG
— Demetri Panos (@demetripanos) April 26, 2023
Since the social media embargo lifted on The Boogeyman film at CinemaCon, I can say that it’s a slow-burn type of horror. There were a few jump scares and it reminds me of David F. Sandberg’s Lights Out. My colleague, @inancytapia, fled the building after the first scare. So…..
— Gig Patta (@GigPatta) April 26, 2023
I (@AlexFromLP) made it through approximately 20 minutes of #TheBoogeyman before I chickened out and had to leave the #CinemaCon2023 showing. If you like scary movies… wow… if you don’t, stay away. pic.twitter.com/P5cgBYBJwe
— LaughingPlace.com (@laughing_place) April 26, 2023
Just saw #TheBoogeyman at #CinemaCon which is based on the Stephen King short story. Like Smile, it was originally meant to be a streaming film, but it turned out so well Disney opted to put it in theaters. Could be a big hit. Sophie Thatcher from #Yellowjackets is great in it.
— JoBlo.com (@joblocom) April 26, 2023
Of course social media reactions to early screenings and movie premieres can’t always be trusted (see also: years’ worth of rave reactions to superhero movies that bored you senseless once you got a look at ’em for yourself), but given 20th Century’s decision to go theatrical rather than streaming and maybe a few off-the-record things we’ve heard about this one, we’re inclined to put a little more stock into the above reactions than we normally would. Fingers crossed!
For those unfamiliar with The Boogeyman, here’s an official plot synopsis:
“High school student Sadie Harper and her younger sister, Sawyer, are still reeling from the recent death of their mother. They’re not getting much support from their father, Will, a therapist who’s dealing with his own intense pain. When a desperate patient unexpectedly shows up at their house seeking help, he leaves behind a terrifying supernatural entity that preys on families and feeds on the suffering of its victims.”
Aaaand here’s another look at that recently-released trailer.
Rob Savage’s The Boogeyman, starring Sophie Thatcher (Yellowjackets), FANGORIA fave David Dastmalchian, and Chris Messina (2010’s undervalued Devil) hits theaters on June 2nd. We’ll be there day one! Until then, do stay tuned for more on Savage’s film as further updates and announcements roll in.
