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Z is a 2019 Canadian horror film directed by Brandon Christensen, which delves into the eerie and disturbing accounts of an imaginary friend turned malevolent. The movie stars Keegan Connor Tracy, Jett Klyne, and Sean Rogerson, and it successfully weaves a chilling narrative that explores the dark side of a child's imagination and the impact it has on a family.

The film follows the story of Elizabeth Parsons (played by Keegan Connor Tracy) and her husband Kevin (played by Sean Rogerson), as they navigate family life with their young son, Joshua (played by Jett Klyne). Elizabeth is a devoted mother who wants the best for her eight-year-old son, who begins to exhibit odd behavior. He attributes these eccentricities to his new imaginary friend, whom he calls "Z." Elizabeth initially dismisses this as a normal phase of child development, a way for her son to cope with the loneliness and challenges of childhood. However, it becomes apparent that there's something more sinister at work.

The imaginary friend, Z, starts exerting a concerning influence over Joshua. Events around the house turn bizarre and frightening, leaving the parents perplexed and worried. A series of strange occurrences and disturbances suggest that Z's presence may not be as benign as they first thought. As Joshua becomes more detached and his behavior intensifies, Elizabeth begins to question the true nature of her son's invisible companion, leading her to seek answers in unexpected places.

Elizabeth's relationships within her household start to strain as she delves deeper into the mystery of Z. Her marriage is tested, and her sanity comes into question, all while Z's grip on Joshua tightens. Elizabeth's maternal instincts kick into overdrive as she becomes desperate to protect her son and salvage her wavering family unit. The more she uncovers about Z, the more she realizes that this entity may have a deeper and more personal connection to her past than she could have ever imagined.

The narrative takes a dark turn as Elizabeth's investigation leads her to confront the possibility that the peril stemming from Z might be linked to suppressed traumas and hidden secrets. Faced with skepticism from those around her, including her partner and medical professionals, she becomes isolated in her fight against the unseen terror that has infiltrated her home.

As the story unfolds, the psychological horror takes root. The film's atmosphere grows increasingly tense, with the director employing a subtle and effective use of suspenseful and eerie scenes. The darkness lurking within the confines of Elizabeth's home serves as a constant reminder of the potential evil that can manifest when sinister forces masquerade as childhood fantasies.

Keegan Connor Tracy delivers a compelling performance that is both raw and heart-wrenching, perfectly capturing the essence of a mother's love pushed to its limits by fear and desperation. Jett Klyne adeptly portrays the innocence and eventual eeriness of young Joshua, while Sean Rogerson complements the cast with his portrayal of a father struggling to keep his family intact.

The horror elements in Z are crafted through a combination of psychological tension, disturbing imagery, and the right sprinkle of jump scares, avoiding the pitfalls of over-reliance on gore or shock value. Instead, the film leans into the chilling realization that the darkest horrors can often stem from within one's own mind and history.

Visually, Z maintains a haunting aesthetic, with dimly lit scenes and a muted color palette that emphasizes the growing despair and obscurity of the family's reality. The camera work and sound design contribute to the film's ability to create an immersive experience that leaves viewers constantly guessing what is real and what is a figment of the characters' tortured imaginations.

Z is a film that successfully melds the psychological and supernatural aspects of horror, resulting in a story that keeps viewers on edge until the very end. It's an exploration of the lengths to which a parent will go to protect their child and the harrowing realization that sometimes the monsters we fear the most are closer to home than we dare to believe. Overall, Z is a spine-tingling horror movie that challenges the conventions of the genre while delivering an emotionally charged tale that lingers with the audience long after the credits roll.

Z is a 2020 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 23 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.5 and a MetaScore of 63.