Why Stephen King insisted this horror adaptation belonged in theaters, not on streaming
In short: After a troubled man visits a therapist, his family becomes haunted by a creature that feeds on grief. Based on a 1973 Stephen King short story, the 2023 film The Boogeyman faced a rocky production path before a glowing endorsement from the author himself secured its theatrical release.
The film's journey began in June 2018 when Scott Beck and Bryan Woods were tapped to adapt Stephen King's short story. The project stalled in 2019 following Disney's acquisition of 21st Century Fox, only to be revived in November 2021 under director Rob Savage. With a cast including Sophie Thatcher and Chris Messina, principal photography commenced in New Orleans in February 2022. While initially slated for a direct-to-streaming debut on Hulu, positive test screenings in December 2022 prompted a shift in strategy.
The decision to pivot to a theatrical release was heavily influenced by King. After viewing the film at his favorite cinema in Maine, the author sent an email praising the work, explicitly stating that it would be a mistake to release it on streaming platforms. The film ultimately premiered in the United States on June 2, 2023, grossing $82.3 million worldwide. Despite this financial performance, critical reception remained mixed, with a 60% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a score of 55 out of 100 on Metacritic.
The narrative follows the Harper family, who are grieving the sudden death of their mother. Their lives are upended when Lester Billings, a man who lost his own children to an entity that mimics voices and feeds on fear, visits their home. The creature, which can only be warded off by light, terrorizes the sisters, Sadie and Sawyer, before eventually targeting their father. The film concludes with a confrontation in the basement, though a final scene suggests the entity's influence may persist, leaving the audience with an ambiguous sense of dread.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: The Boogeyman (2023 film)
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