Watch The Boogey Man

The Boogey Man is a horror film from 1980 directed by Ulli Lommel. It is the story of two siblings, Lacey and Willy, who are traumatized by the death of their mother. Many years later, Lacey is living in a mental institution and Willy is living with his Aunt Cheryl. One day, Cheryl and her boyfriend Jake decide to investigate the house where the children's mother was killed. After finding an old mirror in the attic, they unwittingly unleash the spirit of the boogeyman, who begins to terrorize them and those around them.

The film stars Suzanna Love as Lacey, John Carradine as the voice of the boogeyman, and Ron James as Jake. The acting is decent, with Suzanna Love delivering a particularly strong performance as Lacey. The real standout, however, is the boogeyman himself. Although we never see him fully, the way he is shot and the sound effects used make him one of the most terrifying villains in horror movie history.

The pacing of the film is slow, with the first half primarily focused on building tension and introducing the characters. This can make the film feel a bit tedious at times, but it is worth it for the payoff in the second half. Once the boogeyman is unleashed, the film becomes a non-stop thrill ride filled with jump scares and intense chase scenes.

The special effects are a mixed bag. The practical effects, particularly the makeup used to make the victims look haunted and possessed, are excellent. However, some of the visual effects used to create the boogeyman's presence on screen are a bit dated, although they are still effective in their own way.

One major critique of the film is its treatment of its female characters. Both Lacey and Cheryl are treated as objects of male desire, with several scenes in which they are either nude or partially nude for no real reason. This objectification is unnecessary and detracts from the overall quality of the film.

Another issue with the film is its lack of coherence. The plot is confusing at times and the characters' motivations are often unclear. Additionally, there are several plot threads that are introduced but never fully resolved, leaving the viewer feeling unsatisfied.

Despite its flaws, The Boogey Man is a classic of the horror genre. Its innovative storytelling and iconic villain have influenced countless horror films since its release. While it may not be perfect, it is still worth a watch for fans of classic horror films.

The Boogey Man is a 1980 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 22 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.7.