The Boogeyman Review: Atmospheric Scares Devolve to Stale Horror Tropes

The Boogeyman preys upon the deepest primal fears we have as children. There's a hideous monster under the bed. It lurks in wait for the right moment to snatch you. Or maybe it's hiding in a dark closet, licking its claws in anticipation of a tasty snack. The film adaptation of Stephen King's classic '70s short story held promise. Menacing cinematography and clever editing sets the stage for atmospheric scares. But the terror fizzles badly with rote and predictable genre tropes. If only the script crafted smart and believable characters that acted sensibly in threatening situations.