The Boy (2016)

I went to this movie with fairly low expectations. I believe this is an important task when entering any film. Do I expect this to be the next "Exorcist? Cassablanca? Citizen Kane?" Or do I expect it to be just another horror film concerning a doll? Well I'm sure this movie is not going to reinvent the wheel and it does not! Was it good? Yea it was pretty good. I have some complaints, but I am definitely grading this on a curve. This is due to one simple fact: I enjoyed it even with it's flaws.

Here is the IMDB synopsis: "An American nanny is shocked that her new English family's boy is actually a life-sized doll. After violating a list of strict rules, disturbing events make her believe that the doll is really alive."

The Grade: C+ (Interesting story with an interesting twist, with some complaints)

The Good:

I mainly enjoyed this movie for it's story. It was interesting. The doll was very intriguing and creepy looking. I found myself engrossed for the running time of the film. At a certain point things take a turn and I frankly did not see it coming! It was an enjoyable surprise! I must admit that I am biased about the lead Lauren Cohen of "The Walking Dead" fame. As such I feel she was a solid lead in "The Doll." I do have some complaints about her character, but it is from a directorial standpoint and not her performance. The setting was really gothic and isolated. The mansion was definitely where you go to tell a supernatural story!

The Bad:

Lets start with Lauren Cohen. Good performance, bad direction! They over-sexualize her of course. They have her in skimpy night outfits, when she is alone in the middle of nowhere on her first night. Full makeup at all times, wether she is sleeping or showering or anywhere! It's just something that makes no sense in movies today. Lauren Cohen is a beautiful woman! You don't have to over do it! The horror trope of bad decision making is apparent at times. Why go to the attic and not just leave the house and get someone to help. Things like that. There's a character that shows up too often during the film, which takes away from that isolated feeling a bit. I also have a small complaint about all of the symbolism being shoved down our throat concerning taxidermy. Oh but let me share my biggest complaint by far!!! Late in the movie a new character is introduced. I "HATED" this character. Now to be fair, you are supposed to hate them. However! From a writing perspective it's just a cliche character of a character! It is absolutely rediculous and I am so confused as to why they'd play this character the way they did. Granted it leads to a psychological "full circle" for our main character, but they could have done it 100% better!

The Ugly:

This could have been a great movie! Instead it was just decent. Slightly above average. In fact I could just as easily give this movie a "C+" grade.

In Conclusion:

It's an intriguing ghost story! It was fun to watch and try to guess what is going to happen. I was quite simply entertained! When did we get so critical of the arts that we lost our sense of just enjoying it for crying out loud! It was entertaining, it was interesting, and I like the lead actress (biased as I may be). I have plenty of complaints, but overall it was worth my time.

#Supernatural #Mystery