‘Imaginary’: A Missed Opportunity for Horror from Blumhouse

Blumhouse’s latest horror film ‘Imaginary’ fails to deliver genuine scares with its predictable plot and lackluster direction. Despite commendable performances, the movie falls short of being a memorable addition to the genre.

‘Imaginary’: A Missed Opportunity for Horror from Blumhouse

Blumhouse, the renowned horror production team, known for films like ‘M3GAN’ and ‘Night Swim,’ disappoints with their latest offering, ‘Imaginary.’ This movie attempts to explore the terrifying side of childhood toys but falls short of delivering genuine scares.

( Credit to: Moviefone )

‘Imaginary’ follows the story of Jessica (DeWanda Wise), who returns to her childhood home with her family and discovers her old teddy bear, Chauncey. As her youngest stepdaughter, Alice (Pyper Braun), grows increasingly attached to Chauncey, Jessica begins to suspect that the bear holds a sinister secret.

( Credit to: Moviefone )

The screenplay, co-written by Greg Erb, Jason Oremland, and director Jeff Wadlow, fails to offer anything new or original. The plot feels predictable, and the jump scares lack impact. Moreover, the film struggles to maintain a consistent tone, oscillating between exposition-heavy scenes and forced sentimental moments within the step-family. While the concept of past traumas resurfacing can be intriguing, ‘Imaginary’ fails to present it in a fresh and compelling manner.

Jeff Wadlow’s direction does little to elevate the film. The cinematography is uninspiring, and the attempts at experimental visuals in the final act come across as amateurish and cheap. Even the designs of the creatures and the imaginary bear, Chauncey, are underwhelming.

DeWanda Wise delivers a commendable performance as Jessica, but the character itself lacks depth and originality. Pyper Braun portrays Alice adequately, particularly in her eerie conversations with Chauncey, reminiscent of ‘The Exorcist.’ However, her role mostly requires her to be sweet, scared, or pouty, limiting her ability to shine. Taegen Burns, playing the rebellious teen sister Taylor, is burdened with a clichéd character that adds little to the story. The supporting cast either serves as exposition devices or fades into the background.

Unfortunately, ‘Imaginary’ falls short of being a memorable horror film. It lacks the ingenuity and freshness that Blumhouse is known for. With a weak script, uninspired direction, and predictable plot points, the movie fails to deliver the anticipated scares. While there are a few decent moments, they are not enough to salvage the overall experience. ‘Imaginary’ may appeal to those seeking a bargain bin horror flick, but it is unlikely to leave a lasting impression.

Overall Rating: 5 out of 10 stars.

Note: ‘Imaginary’ is scheduled for release on March 8th and stars DeWanda Wise, Pyper Braun, Tom Payne, Betty Buckley, Taegen Burns, Matthew Sato, Verónica Falcón, and features the voice of Dane DiLiegro as Chauncey.