Imaginary

7.5/10

In Imaginary, Jessica (played by Jurassic World: Dominion's DeWanda Wise) and her husband and two stepdaughters move into her childhood home. The youngest girl Alice (Superkitties/Erin & Aaron's Pyper Braun) finds an old stuffed bear named Chauncey who becomes her new imaginary friend. However, there's something sinister about the bear who begins to have more and more control over poor Alice.

Wasn't expecting much from this movie; Blumhouse didn't give this much advertising. But, this turned out better than expected. This is one of those horror films that is trying to have fun, which is refreshing with so many movies going with the serious psychological horror route.

There are some pretty good scares in the beginning. I've seen so many horror movies that I've become desensitized. I rarely get scared, so it was refreshing to have a couple of the scares get to me. (The film's pretty good at catching you unexpected.)  Also, the film does a surprisingly good job of making a stuffed bear with minimal movement be creepy. The final act isn't as effective in being scary, but it makes up for it by being one of the more visually creative finales to a horror film.

For yet another movie where the child's imaginary friend turns out to be a monster/ghost/demon, the story is told better than most. Jessica makes for a compelling protagonist who's worried about her stepdaughter, and Alice makes for a sympathetic kid.

This is a Jeff Wadlow movie (the Fantasy Island movie, Truth or Dare, Wolf Creek) and this has the flaw I've seen in his other horror movies. Guy has some solid ideas and scenes, but the plots are always uneven. There are parts of this where the dialogue and exposition could've been tighter. 

There's some pretty good casting. Wise in particular is one to watch as she's so convincing. However, there are two actors playing figures connected to Jessica's past that really don't work out.

Recommended. Yeah, this could've been more polished, but this is an entertaining and spooky work.