Based on Stephen King’s chilling short story, The Boogeyman (2023) brought a new level of dread to theaters with its intimate portrayal of trauma and the unseen horrors that feed on it. Directed by Rob Savage, the film follows the Harper family as they reel from the death of their mother—only to discover something far worse hiding in the darkness.
The story centers around Sadie Harper, a teenager grappling with unbearable grief, and her younger sister Sawyer, who begins seeing a sinister creature that creeps from the shadows. Their father, a therapist, dismisses their fears—until a mysterious patient brings a terrifying entity into their home. What begins as subtle terror—closet doors cracking open, whispers in the dark—evolves into a full-blown psychological and supernatural nightmare.
What makes The Boogeyman effective isn't just the jump scares or creature design (though both are excellent); it's the emotional weight underneath. The monster is less a villain and more a metaphor for unspoken pain, unresolved grief, and the silence between family members who don't know how to heal.
The film was praised for its atmosphere, strong performances (especially by Sophie Thatcher as Sadie), and its ability to modernize King’s original tale without losing its essence. While some horror fans expected more gore or backstory, many appreciated the restrained, eerie buildup and its focus on fear as something deeply personal.
With the film’s ambiguous ending—where the Boogeyman appears defeated, but not entirely gone—it’s easy to imagine a sequel. In a fictional continuation titled "The Boogeyman: Return to the Closet," Sadie, now in college, begins experiencing recurring nightmares and sees signs that the creature may not be gone after all. New victims emerge, all sharing a history of loss and trauma. But this time, the Boogeyman is evolving—feeding not only on grief, but fear of the past coming back.
The sequel could dive deeper into the mythology: What is the origin of this being? Are there others? Is the Boogeyman tied to specific families, or does it follow grief like a scent?
With a richer lore and even more psychological depth, a second chapter could expand the Boogeyman universe—while continuing to remind audiences that the scariest monsters are the ones we try to bury inside ourselves.
