Watch The Boy

The Boy is a 2016 horror-thriller movie directed by William Brent Bell, where a young American woman Greta (Lauren Cohan) escapes from an abusive relationship and travels to the English countryside to take a job as a nanny for a wealthy family in the remote Heelshire Mansion. However, to her surprise, Greta discovers that the child she will be taking care of is actually a life-sized doll named Brahms. The parents (Jim Norton and Diana Hardcastle) explain that Brahms is treated as if he were alive, and the rules that Greta must follow in order to look after him.

As a skeptical Greta takes up the job, the parents leave Brahms in her care and go on a vacation, and she quickly learns that following Brahms’ rules is not optional as strange things start to happen around the mansion. Eventually, Greta starts to believe that Brahms may not be the inanimate object he appears to be, and things take a darker turn after she disregards one of Brahms' rules.

The film features solid performances from its lead actors, with Lauren Cohan bringing a sense of emotional turmoil to her role, while Rupert Evans shines as Malcolm, the local grocer with whom Greta develops a close relationship. James Russell brings a chilling and eerie presence to the role of the titular character Brahms, despite his physical absence in most of the film.

The cinematography is commendable with its beautifully shot English countryside landscapes contrasting with the eerie mansion interiors. The Boy also features a creeping and atmospheric score, adding tension to the already unsettling ambiance.

The film takes several twists and turns making it stand out from other horror movies. Instead of relying on cheap jump scares or gore, The Boy pays more attention to psychological horror elements that make the audience question what is truly happening on-screen. The film's storyline subverts expectations and delivers a satisfying ending that leaves the audience with chills.

In conclusion, The Boy is a well-crafted horror-thriller that excels in suspense and atmosphere. Its unique plot and outstanding performances make it one of the more distinctive horror movies released in recent times, keeping the audience engaged in the narrative till the end.

The Boy depicts the terror and the uncertainty that lies in the human mind, where nothing is as it seems, and what the audience perceives is not always the truth.

The Boy is a 2016 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 38 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.0 and a MetaScore of 42.