Ironically, I feel like the movie lacked some imaginative ideas for a movie like this. Also, is it me or is nothing actually that scary anymore? The actors weren't bad, they would only act out what's in front of them but I liked the idea of this movie a lot but not what was delivered, sadly. Also, I didn't see any need for the husband to even be in the movie, that felt like a pointless character to be trimmed out. Additionally, there is always the same kind of family dynamics in these movies with a miserable angsty teenager etc, would have been cool to make the movie stand out and not always follow the samey blueprint.
146 Reviews
Too much talking, too low on scares
johannes2000-113 March 2024
There are many horror flicks with evil-infested dolls or puppets, but you keep hoping for something different. Alas, this "Imaginary" is as generic and predictable as they come: the little kid in a home with some complicated family-dynamics, the house with a creepy history, the cute doll (here a teddybear) that we at times (oh horror!!) see turn his head and that more and more gets a supernatural hold on the kid, and a climactic finale in which the evil finally shows its true terrifying shape. It's all there.
Well, even predictability doesn't have to be bad, if it's well done, with some decent special effects and a solid story. But unfortunately all this was not the case here. The story is shaky and unnecessary complicated, and direction and editing are disappointing: the whole movie is way too talkative and explanatory (especially from the moment the old neighbor lady steps in), and for a supposed horror movie it's way too low on serious scares. Teddybear Chauncey is definitely no Chucky or Annabelle, until the final showdown he doesn't cause any deaths or destruction, even the obnoxious boyfriend (in most horror movies a number one candidate for a gruesome killing) got away in one piece. There's an inventive plot-twist halfway in time, and the supernatural Escher-like labyrinth, in which the family in the end gets trapped to fight the evil, is well done, but that couldn't save the movie. A pity, since the acting was pretty good. The cast had earned a better vehicle to ride in.
Well, even predictability doesn't have to be bad, if it's well done, with some decent special effects and a solid story. But unfortunately all this was not the case here. The story is shaky and unnecessary complicated, and direction and editing are disappointing: the whole movie is way too talkative and explanatory (especially from the moment the old neighbor lady steps in), and for a supposed horror movie it's way too low on serious scares. Teddybear Chauncey is definitely no Chucky or Annabelle, until the final showdown he doesn't cause any deaths or destruction, even the obnoxious boyfriend (in most horror movies a number one candidate for a gruesome killing) got away in one piece. There's an inventive plot-twist halfway in time, and the supernatural Escher-like labyrinth, in which the family in the end gets trapped to fight the evil, is well done, but that couldn't save the movie. A pity, since the acting was pretty good. The cast had earned a better vehicle to ride in.
Part homage, part re-tread, partly successful.
Lomax34310 March 2024
Family moves to creepy house; a young child has paranormal experiences; a moody teen does moody teen things; not all the adults are what they seem; a character finds repressed memories are dragged up; yada, yada, yada.
It's not quite bad, but it certainly isn't good. There's a bit of Poltergeist, a bit of Nightmare on Elm Street, a bit of Labyrinth - and it's unclear whether this is meant as an homage-melange, or a pilfering of tropes from a variety of better films.
The film relies heavily on jump-scares, but there's little sense of terror. The twists can be seen coming a mile away. The ending is frankly lazy.
The cast do their best. Young Pyper Braun is good as the girl at the centre of things, DeWanda Wise OK as the step-mother trying to penetrate the mystery. The rest are either under-used or let down by a thin script and unimaginative direction (or both).
The special effects budget was clearly painfully small, and no-one was able to anything convincing or scary with it.
Not a film that will live long in the memory.
It's not quite bad, but it certainly isn't good. There's a bit of Poltergeist, a bit of Nightmare on Elm Street, a bit of Labyrinth - and it's unclear whether this is meant as an homage-melange, or a pilfering of tropes from a variety of better films.
The film relies heavily on jump-scares, but there's little sense of terror. The twists can be seen coming a mile away. The ending is frankly lazy.
The cast do their best. Young Pyper Braun is good as the girl at the centre of things, DeWanda Wise OK as the step-mother trying to penetrate the mystery. The rest are either under-used or let down by a thin script and unimaginative direction (or both).
The special effects budget was clearly painfully small, and no-one was able to anything convincing or scary with it.
Not a film that will live long in the memory.
However bad you imagined, this is worse.
marklewis-7911227 March 2024
It's difficult to know where to begin.
The plot is wafer-thin and the actors are given so little to work with its a wonder they saw this project through. At least the dad had the good sense to check out halfway through.
This movie is so bad in every way. It started with some reasonable ideas. The creepy kid, the mad old lady and a forgotten troubled childhood but the movie just wastes these ideas.
The bizarre final act is full of awful monologues and exposition and possibly the most pathetic final monster committed to film.
This move has less depth, plot and scares than an episode of the old Goosebumps TV series.
Do yourself a favour and do something else with your time.
The plot is wafer-thin and the actors are given so little to work with its a wonder they saw this project through. At least the dad had the good sense to check out halfway through.
This movie is so bad in every way. It started with some reasonable ideas. The creepy kid, the mad old lady and a forgotten troubled childhood but the movie just wastes these ideas.
The bizarre final act is full of awful monologues and exposition and possibly the most pathetic final monster committed to film.
This move has less depth, plot and scares than an episode of the old Goosebumps TV series.
Do yourself a favour and do something else with your time.
Much worse than I ever imagined.
BA_Harrison8 March 2024
Warning: Spoilers
The poster and synopsis for Imaginary had me thinking that this latest Blumhouse horror would be a mix of Megan and Five Nights at Freddy's, two films that performed well at the box office but which left me distinctly unimpressed. Imaginary is far worse than either.
The film starts off predictable, with clichéd characters, sloppy storytelling, and very few surprises, and then goes totally off the rails in the final act, but not in a good way - the ending makes no sense whatsoever, with the female protagonists entering Jareth the Goblin King's Escher inspired world of imagination where they battle a giant bear. Honestly, don't even bother to figure out what is going on - it's not worth the effort or the brain ache. And don't expect to be scared by anything in this film - it's a 15 certificate in the UK but there is absolutely nothing frightening or disturbing about it.
2.5/10, which I am rounding down to 2 for the amateurish paintings supposedly created by an award-winning, best-selling children's author and illustrator.
The film starts off predictable, with clichéd characters, sloppy storytelling, and very few surprises, and then goes totally off the rails in the final act, but not in a good way - the ending makes no sense whatsoever, with the female protagonists entering Jareth the Goblin King's Escher inspired world of imagination where they battle a giant bear. Honestly, don't even bother to figure out what is going on - it's not worth the effort or the brain ache. And don't expect to be scared by anything in this film - it's a 15 certificate in the UK but there is absolutely nothing frightening or disturbing about it.
2.5/10, which I am rounding down to 2 for the amateurish paintings supposedly created by an award-winning, best-selling children's author and illustrator.
Oh no ...
kfzkqdnsm28 March 2024
It's just not scary. The cast aren't convincing enough, obviously not used to acting in a horror film. The storyline is confused in itself and doesn't know which direction to go in. Make up is so amateur; you can see the plastic on faces.
The actors just seem to go through the motions. They don't give any impression that they are being pursued by the 'Entity', do not show any fear in their faces.
The script seems to have stolen plots from 'Poltergeist' and 'The Conjuring'. But it just doesn't work. There are so many holes in the plot. Where was the girls father? Why didn't the mum ring him and tell him what was happening? Why wasn't the little girl showing any signs of being frightened?
Don't waste your time. Or your money.
The actors just seem to go through the motions. They don't give any impression that they are being pursued by the 'Entity', do not show any fear in their faces.
The script seems to have stolen plots from 'Poltergeist' and 'The Conjuring'. But it just doesn't work. There are so many holes in the plot. Where was the girls father? Why didn't the mum ring him and tell him what was happening? Why wasn't the little girl showing any signs of being frightened?
Don't waste your time. Or your money.
Creepy premise with a direction that lacks scares and thrills.
cruise019 March 2024
3 out of 5 stars.
Imaginary is a fair supernatural horror film with a concept about children's imaginary friends becoming some evil entity in a spirit world. Its a bit of poltergeist like film. The film has some cheesy dialogue and it lacks the scares and horror. Which it could have added jump scares and be a little intense to make this film worthy.
The plot follows Jessica (DeWanda Wise) as she and her new family with her step children move into her old childhood home. After a tragedy happened with her and her father at the house that left her dad speechless and traumatized. Her step daughter Alice comes across a teddy bear which she makes out to be an imaginary friend which becomes very sinister.
The cast ensemble was okay. The story was decent. The script was a bit cheesy with the dialogue. And the direction with Jeff Wadlow has been lacking with providing any scares or intensity. Yes the characters come across something evil and the way it was filmed. It failed to even put you on the edge of your seat. Interesting concept but failed to execute the scares.
Overall, it was an okay film that failed to deliver on scares and thrills.
Imaginary is a fair supernatural horror film with a concept about children's imaginary friends becoming some evil entity in a spirit world. Its a bit of poltergeist like film. The film has some cheesy dialogue and it lacks the scares and horror. Which it could have added jump scares and be a little intense to make this film worthy.
The plot follows Jessica (DeWanda Wise) as she and her new family with her step children move into her old childhood home. After a tragedy happened with her and her father at the house that left her dad speechless and traumatized. Her step daughter Alice comes across a teddy bear which she makes out to be an imaginary friend which becomes very sinister.
The cast ensemble was okay. The story was decent. The script was a bit cheesy with the dialogue. And the direction with Jeff Wadlow has been lacking with providing any scares or intensity. Yes the characters come across something evil and the way it was filmed. It failed to even put you on the edge of your seat. Interesting concept but failed to execute the scares.
Overall, it was an okay film that failed to deliver on scares and thrills.
Seems like it was written by AI.
hannah-mae9115 March 2024
I don't know that anything could convince me that AI wasn't heavily involved with writing this. It's offensively bad. It's a boring concept, the bear is the least threatening thing I've ever seen, the plot barely exists, and it's way too long. I'd call it comically bad, but that would imply a "so bad it's good" sort of movie. It's almost insulting that Blumhouse is able to get away with making movies like this into a full theatrical release.
I hate this movie and everything that it represents. This is the laziest, most boring thing I've seen in ages, and there are people somewhere in Hollywood making millions of of it. Bleh.
I hate this movie and everything that it represents. This is the laziest, most boring thing I've seen in ages, and there are people somewhere in Hollywood making millions of of it. Bleh.
Unexpected!
finaldestination-g8 March 2024
Well I went into this movie thinking it will be a basic haunting movie with a traditional overused storyline but I was very pleasantly surprised.
The movie, for the most part, ditches the basic horror tropes that are taking over cinema lately. The story goes to places that are way beyond an average horror movie, with fresh twists, especially the second half, where one twist took me by surprise and I loved it.
Acting was decent, and I would say the young talents are the stars of it, especially the youngest of the 2, adorably talented.
3rd act was definitely the weakest but still enjoyable nonetheless, story did feel a bit rushed and the ending could have been done better but overhaul the move remains captivating.
The movie, for the most part, ditches the basic horror tropes that are taking over cinema lately. The story goes to places that are way beyond an average horror movie, with fresh twists, especially the second half, where one twist took me by surprise and I loved it.
Acting was decent, and I would say the young talents are the stars of it, especially the youngest of the 2, adorably talented.
3rd act was definitely the weakest but still enjoyable nonetheless, story did feel a bit rushed and the ending could have been done better but overhaul the move remains captivating.
Yikes! Go for Horror get Horrific
ThereelscoopwithKK16 March 2024
From the very start it feels like the movie was made in a day. The beginning meanders along slowly but in this time doesnt really accomplish much. The characters aren't developed and instead look like they're just warming up for their first acting gig.
Some of the attempted scary scenes feel like family channel kids horror with the combination of poor acting and low scare factor. The actor that plays the dad goes on a trip midway through the movie almost signaling like the director had witnessed enough, but didn't want to not use the footage they'd already filmed, so sent him on some music trip.
Once the action takes places an incredible amount of weird random dialogue takes place. The older neighbor of theirs really doesn't serve much purpose despite their efforts to make her relevant. In fact the movie could have been done with just the mother and youngest daughter and that way maybe they could have developed them more.
The ending scenes in the other world I suppose are fine, but even with them they manage to throw in some weird cringey clichés. By this point the ship had sunken and in some ways thought it might have been at least comical if the bear got at least one of them.
It seemed by the end nobody in the theatre was taking it too seriously. A combination of a March Break teenaged audience with a poor quality horror opened the floor to all sorts of heckling with each movie going party looking to chip in their two cents.
Before going to see this movie, remember that Dune is still very much an option, even if you've already been to it.
Some of the attempted scary scenes feel like family channel kids horror with the combination of poor acting and low scare factor. The actor that plays the dad goes on a trip midway through the movie almost signaling like the director had witnessed enough, but didn't want to not use the footage they'd already filmed, so sent him on some music trip.
Once the action takes places an incredible amount of weird random dialogue takes place. The older neighbor of theirs really doesn't serve much purpose despite their efforts to make her relevant. In fact the movie could have been done with just the mother and youngest daughter and that way maybe they could have developed them more.
The ending scenes in the other world I suppose are fine, but even with them they manage to throw in some weird cringey clichés. By this point the ship had sunken and in some ways thought it might have been at least comical if the bear got at least one of them.
It seemed by the end nobody in the theatre was taking it too seriously. A combination of a March Break teenaged audience with a poor quality horror opened the floor to all sorts of heckling with each movie going party looking to chip in their two cents.
Before going to see this movie, remember that Dune is still very much an option, even if you've already been to it.
Not as bad as everyone is saying! I enjoyed it!
jfecher-4615111 March 2024
Imaginary, 2024. Not terrible for a pg-13 horror film! I enjoyed it quite a bit actually. Compared to 'Night Swim', another pg-13 horror movie to come out earlier this year, this one was a little better for me! While in no way a masterpiece, I found it enjoyable and some good scares! As it may have felt a little like 'Insidious' at the end, I enjoyed some of the twists throughout the film as well as some good jump scares! And who am I kidding? It is always lovely to see Betty Buckley on the screen! DeWanda Wise was great as well. It's a fun and easy watch, not too scary. Although, I will say it has one tiny scene that gave me a fright!
I hateeedd Night Swim but actually enjoyed this one!
Beyondtherain8 March 2024
First off, Night Swim has to be the worst horror film on earth, so I went into this film with caution...and it turned out to be good, I loathe PG13 Horror films so much, but this one was awesome. Insidious is the scariest PG13 film i ever saw, this film is in the realm of Insidious but also Annabelle and a bit of Elm Street...also the Imaginary World reminded me of Labyrinth...(the stairs) and i honestly jumped a couple times...the monsters looked very good as well...I'm not sure why Night Swim had so much hyped but a film like Imaginary has no hype...It's not the best horror ever but good for a late night PG13 Horror. I would watch this again and will literally never watch Night Swim again...I suggest to see this film if you want a decent scare...this film actually did have some Imagination to it unlike Night Swim...Blumhouse, you need to market this movie more!
Painfully Bad
inovski11 March 2024
Warning: Spoilers
I went into this movie thinking "Huh, this looks like a bad movie, I'll go watch it for some laughs".
Well let me tell you that it's worse than you could ever imagine.
The acting is horrible from almost everyone except the husband (who has about 15 min of screen time), the movie forgets that it's supposed to be a horror movie half way in.
They started with some small tension, small scares and then it became basically a children's fiction story for no reason???
Afterwards it seemed like the director remembered it's supposed to be a horror and threw in random low effort "scary" scenes, topped it off with a painfully obvious plot twist only to then finish the movie in almost the same way it would have ended without the plot twist.
How do these movies even make it to cinemas?
Who gave the script a green light?
If you haven't watched the movie and are thinking of watching it, don't. It's not entertaining at all.
And if you already watched it, I'm sorry that we both wasted our time on this burning pile of garbage.
Well let me tell you that it's worse than you could ever imagine.
The acting is horrible from almost everyone except the husband (who has about 15 min of screen time), the movie forgets that it's supposed to be a horror movie half way in.
They started with some small tension, small scares and then it became basically a children's fiction story for no reason???
Afterwards it seemed like the director remembered it's supposed to be a horror and threw in random low effort "scary" scenes, topped it off with a painfully obvious plot twist only to then finish the movie in almost the same way it would have ended without the plot twist.
How do these movies even make it to cinemas?
Who gave the script a green light?
If you haven't watched the movie and are thinking of watching it, don't. It's not entertaining at all.
And if you already watched it, I'm sorry that we both wasted our time on this burning pile of garbage.
Jontys behind you
bladebk9 March 2024
Just returned from watching this film, so it's very fresh in my mind (unfortunately).
Never have I been in such a packed cinema watching a so called 'horror' film, where there has been absolutely no atmosphere whatsoever. It's like the film sucked the Life out of every single person. Even during the so called jump scares no one moved an inch. Such a bizarre experience.
The problem was always going to be 'can you make a cuddly toy scary' and the answer is a resounding NO. Combine that with a paper thin back story, throw in a whinging brat and some terrible older actors and you end up with this mess of a film.
The dialogue was really weak and unclear. For the whole first half of the film I thought they were calling the bear 'Jonty', but it turns out to be 'chauncy' or something along those lines. Ironically, it's not until the Spanish actress playing the psychiatrist says his name halfway in that I actually realised what they were saying.
BTW, Special mention goes to the old woman in the film, who's hammy acting made me laugh like I've not done for years. She gets the full 1 star from me.
Never have I been in such a packed cinema watching a so called 'horror' film, where there has been absolutely no atmosphere whatsoever. It's like the film sucked the Life out of every single person. Even during the so called jump scares no one moved an inch. Such a bizarre experience.
The problem was always going to be 'can you make a cuddly toy scary' and the answer is a resounding NO. Combine that with a paper thin back story, throw in a whinging brat and some terrible older actors and you end up with this mess of a film.
The dialogue was really weak and unclear. For the whole first half of the film I thought they were calling the bear 'Jonty', but it turns out to be 'chauncy' or something along those lines. Ironically, it's not until the Spanish actress playing the psychiatrist says his name halfway in that I actually realised what they were saying.
BTW, Special mention goes to the old woman in the film, who's hammy acting made me laugh like I've not done for years. She gets the full 1 star from me.
Imagine anything else
tymoody24 March 2024
This is by far the worst Blumhouse film I have ever seen. I would try to imagine you are watching paint dry and you might be more entertained. This is what I imagine an AI film or 3rd grader would come up with. Blumhouse used to be a powerhouse for horror but I havent seen a good film (Sinister, Halloween, Get Out) by them in ages. I understand that this film is pg-13, but there are so many pg-13 films that are good (The Ring, The Grudge, etc) that this shouldn't hold them back. I understand trying to make "gate way horror films" so that they make more money but that shouldnt result in a bad movie overall. Disappointing.
It's horror, not too intense but great if you like the genre!
roro-md17 March 2024
"Imaginary" is a captivating horror film that offers a unique and refreshing take on the genre. Unlike many horror movies that rely heavily on jump scares and gore, "Imaginary" focuses more on building suspense and psychological tension, making it a more nuanced and engaging viewing experience. The film's plot is intriguing, with unexpected twists and turns that keep you guessing until the very end.
What sets "Imaginary" apart is its ability to create a sense of unease and dread without resorting to overly graphic or disturbing imagery. Instead, the film relies on atmospheric storytelling and strong performances to create a chilling and immersive experience. The cinematography is also worth mentioning, as it effectively captures the eerie atmosphere of the film.
I was fortunate enough to see "Imaginary" thanks to @reviewbrisbane, who provided preview passes for the screening. The opportunity to see the film before its release added to the excitement, and I can confidently say that "Imaginary" is a must-watch for any horror fan looking for something -- because there isn't much else out there at the moment! With its compelling story, well-crafted suspense, and memorable twists, "Imaginary" is sure to leave a lasting impression.
What sets "Imaginary" apart is its ability to create a sense of unease and dread without resorting to overly graphic or disturbing imagery. Instead, the film relies on atmospheric storytelling and strong performances to create a chilling and immersive experience. The cinematography is also worth mentioning, as it effectively captures the eerie atmosphere of the film.
I was fortunate enough to see "Imaginary" thanks to @reviewbrisbane, who provided preview passes for the screening. The opportunity to see the film before its release added to the excitement, and I can confidently say that "Imaginary" is a must-watch for any horror fan looking for something -- because there isn't much else out there at the moment! With its compelling story, well-crafted suspense, and memorable twists, "Imaginary" is sure to leave a lasting impression.
Not Quite What You Imagine
rgkarim9 March 2024
LIKES:
Decent Pace -Imaginary is a movie that keeps consistent in keeping the story moving with minimum divergence to complicate matters.
-Approximately ten minutes in, the mischief and intrigue start, doing their best to keep things engaging for the two hours.
Okay Acting -The movie is a far cry from the best acting category, but that does not mean it's the worst performance group in the industry.
-Burns' acting is a step up from her Mighty Ducks days, going from pre-tween diva to moody teenager. Stumbling a bit in her transitions, she manages to pull some better acting skills in the final act that is promising for future roles once she masters it.
-Yet, DeWanda Wise is the best actress in this movie for me, displaying touching moments of connection and balanced emotion that provided a better character.
-She may have gotten a bit overdramatic at times, and there were some ill-presented lines, but they were (mostly) kept in check for this movie despite the corny writing Funny -Whether intentional or not, the movie ends up having very humorous moments that left me chuckling or laughing at loud.
-Chauncey's games and taunts are very childlike, but then receive an adult twist that spices things up and adds extra laugh power.
-Or perhaps you'll just find the looks of the monsters to be laughable as well, many of them a parody that reflects what imagination can craft when at a young age.
-If that's not enough, then there are always the toned-down lines, forced emotion, and overacted character qualities that may get a rise out of you.
Creative Starts To Creepiness: -Horror movies thrive on a lot of presentation styles to create that lasting feeling of terror.
-Imaginary takes some of the playbook tricks and manages to nudge them to an original setup that shows promise for a memorable bout of terror.
-When you have an imaginary friend, the sky is the limit for ways to open up putting our "heroes" in peril, and there were times I was impressed with the start of the scare and how creative they got.
Heartfelt Moments: -Like many movies in this genre, Imaginary's characters have to address some things in their past to recover and thrive in the future.
-Two character arcs in particular had moments that I resonated with, fantastic presentations of the trauma, combined with authentic portrayals of the hurt they can bring.
-One moment was fantastic for me, as they used the scene in many ways that helped maximize the impact of that story for me. Its design answered a few gaping questions while also helping forge a stronger bond between two characters that struck me deeply.
-Moments like these are the best part of the movie given the purpose it brings to the film alongside crafting characters to invest my time into watching.
DISLIKES
Overdramatic Plot: -The movie tries to give more to the story than other horror films though, something I appreciate very much in a very expansive genre.
-This story does have elements that work well with the drama and horror elements and help enrich the characters past the usual fodder status that is seen.
-However, the movie tends to waver to the more CW-esque drama patterns, becoming more about over-expression than an engaging plot.
-When the predictability component factors in, the plot only weakened further for me, which inflated the dramatic flair for me.
Too Silly For Its Own Good -Granting a PG-13 rating is a double-edged sword for a movie in my experience.
-For Imaginary, I think the rating dulled the film, allowing for too much silliness that got in the way of the horror elements.
-Between the comical displays of the bad guys and ludicrous secondary characters, there were too many interruptions that diluted what I came to the movie to see.
-Dialog and acting further added to the silliness and resulted in dulling the movie down to a censored version of a concept that could have gone much further.
-Factor in the overdramatic limitation, Imagination then starts to move into an area where the cuteness becomes a bit distracting and annoying. This feeling seems to be a big part of what has lowered the ratings and perhaps might be too much comedy for its good.
Too Many Plot Elements -A minor dislike of this movie, Imaginary tries to take on a lot of things in a short amount of time.
-I think it handled it, okay. Some elements accomplished the goal of diving into the psyche of the main character and connecting these broken pieces to make a fulfilling character arc.
-However, another plot felt half-baked, the little girl's story holding some details that were intriguing, but were utilized as plot devices to bridge the main story. A shame given how many elements were tied to this girl that actually could have included other characters in the picture.
-And in the case of the teenager, she felt like an accessory designed to pull in the loose ends and shakily glue them together in a menagerie that didn't quite come together for me.
-The end product is manageable but falls short of what BlumHouse has put out in the past, and not even the campiness elevates the limitations.
Lack Of Suspense/Thrills/Scares -Horror movies are all about the scares or thrills for most of the entries in the genre.
-In this movie, I felt that only about ten percent of the movie had traces of these elements for me to enjoy and contrasted the trailer's promises.
-Chauncey can be creepy at times. The way those eyes stare and the looming shadowy presence are a few examples of a horror element done right for me.
-But it never elevates much past that, often delivering lackluster jump scares or comical moments that were supposed to be scary.
-Once the turn in direction took place, the nightmare moments practically evaporated, and now starting to approach Tim Burton's styles of design. -This style does have its disturbing factor to it but Imaginary didn't take it that level and pulled punches that again were more humorous than terrifying.
-The most disappointing element was the revelation of the monster's true form. Chauncey takes several uncomfortable transformations, but upon showing his true face, I wasn't impressed with the final result, especially at him doing very little despite the powers he possessed.
The VERDICT: Imaginary is a movie that held a lot of potential for me when I watched the trailers. Sadly, only a little bit of this potential was achieved for me in this viewing. The acting is fine and creates some engaging character moments that work well with the PG-13 rating. It has a story with some unique elements and some potential creative setups for scares, while also not treading too far into disturbing levels. There is an atmosphere of comedy embedded that at times brought out a laugh or two in me. However, the movie does not finish any of these elements strongly and struggles to keep the balance between fright and fun just right. The result becomes a mundane film that could be a beginner-level horror movie that only stands out in a few spots as the creepy piece it aspired to be. I can't recommend this movie for a theater showing, instead looking to a night at home as your venue of choice. Who knows, being at home might enhance the scare factor a bit.
My scores for the film are: Horror/Mystery/Thriller: 5.5 Movie Overall: 5.0.
Decent Pace -Imaginary is a movie that keeps consistent in keeping the story moving with minimum divergence to complicate matters.
-Approximately ten minutes in, the mischief and intrigue start, doing their best to keep things engaging for the two hours.
- A faster pacing allowed the movie to feel less sluggish, which made it more enjoyable for me.
Okay Acting -The movie is a far cry from the best acting category, but that does not mean it's the worst performance group in the industry.
- I enjoyed Pyper Braun's acting merits to many levels as she captured a girl caught between traumatic sessions and finding a means to cope. Her voice work holds borderline creepy elements, and she displays terror and hurt to a believable level that helps capture that sincerity.
-Burns' acting is a step up from her Mighty Ducks days, going from pre-tween diva to moody teenager. Stumbling a bit in her transitions, she manages to pull some better acting skills in the final act that is promising for future roles once she masters it.
-Yet, DeWanda Wise is the best actress in this movie for me, displaying touching moments of connection and balanced emotion that provided a better character.
-She may have gotten a bit overdramatic at times, and there were some ill-presented lines, but they were (mostly) kept in check for this movie despite the corny writing Funny -Whether intentional or not, the movie ends up having very humorous moments that left me chuckling or laughing at loud.
-Chauncey's games and taunts are very childlike, but then receive an adult twist that spices things up and adds extra laugh power.
-Or perhaps you'll just find the looks of the monsters to be laughable as well, many of them a parody that reflects what imagination can craft when at a young age.
-If that's not enough, then there are always the toned-down lines, forced emotion, and overacted character qualities that may get a rise out of you.
Creative Starts To Creepiness: -Horror movies thrive on a lot of presentation styles to create that lasting feeling of terror.
-Imaginary takes some of the playbook tricks and manages to nudge them to an original setup that shows promise for a memorable bout of terror.
-When you have an imaginary friend, the sky is the limit for ways to open up putting our "heroes" in peril, and there were times I was impressed with the start of the scare and how creative they got.
Heartfelt Moments: -Like many movies in this genre, Imaginary's characters have to address some things in their past to recover and thrive in the future.
-Two character arcs in particular had moments that I resonated with, fantastic presentations of the trauma, combined with authentic portrayals of the hurt they can bring.
-One moment was fantastic for me, as they used the scene in many ways that helped maximize the impact of that story for me. Its design answered a few gaping questions while also helping forge a stronger bond between two characters that struck me deeply.
-Moments like these are the best part of the movie given the purpose it brings to the film alongside crafting characters to invest my time into watching.
DISLIKES
Overdramatic Plot: -The movie tries to give more to the story than other horror films though, something I appreciate very much in a very expansive genre.
-This story does have elements that work well with the drama and horror elements and help enrich the characters past the usual fodder status that is seen.
-However, the movie tends to waver to the more CW-esque drama patterns, becoming more about over-expression than an engaging plot.
-When the predictability component factors in, the plot only weakened further for me, which inflated the dramatic flair for me.
Too Silly For Its Own Good -Granting a PG-13 rating is a double-edged sword for a movie in my experience.
-For Imaginary, I think the rating dulled the film, allowing for too much silliness that got in the way of the horror elements.
-Between the comical displays of the bad guys and ludicrous secondary characters, there were too many interruptions that diluted what I came to the movie to see.
-Dialog and acting further added to the silliness and resulted in dulling the movie down to a censored version of a concept that could have gone much further.
-Factor in the overdramatic limitation, Imagination then starts to move into an area where the cuteness becomes a bit distracting and annoying. This feeling seems to be a big part of what has lowered the ratings and perhaps might be too much comedy for its good.
Too Many Plot Elements -A minor dislike of this movie, Imaginary tries to take on a lot of things in a short amount of time.
-I think it handled it, okay. Some elements accomplished the goal of diving into the psyche of the main character and connecting these broken pieces to make a fulfilling character arc.
-However, another plot felt half-baked, the little girl's story holding some details that were intriguing, but were utilized as plot devices to bridge the main story. A shame given how many elements were tied to this girl that actually could have included other characters in the picture.
-And in the case of the teenager, she felt like an accessory designed to pull in the loose ends and shakily glue them together in a menagerie that didn't quite come together for me.
-The end product is manageable but falls short of what BlumHouse has put out in the past, and not even the campiness elevates the limitations.
Lack Of Suspense/Thrills/Scares -Horror movies are all about the scares or thrills for most of the entries in the genre.
-In this movie, I felt that only about ten percent of the movie had traces of these elements for me to enjoy and contrasted the trailer's promises.
-Chauncey can be creepy at times. The way those eyes stare and the looming shadowy presence are a few examples of a horror element done right for me.
-But it never elevates much past that, often delivering lackluster jump scares or comical moments that were supposed to be scary.
-Once the turn in direction took place, the nightmare moments practically evaporated, and now starting to approach Tim Burton's styles of design. -This style does have its disturbing factor to it but Imaginary didn't take it that level and pulled punches that again were more humorous than terrifying.
-The most disappointing element was the revelation of the monster's true form. Chauncey takes several uncomfortable transformations, but upon showing his true face, I wasn't impressed with the final result, especially at him doing very little despite the powers he possessed.
The VERDICT: Imaginary is a movie that held a lot of potential for me when I watched the trailers. Sadly, only a little bit of this potential was achieved for me in this viewing. The acting is fine and creates some engaging character moments that work well with the PG-13 rating. It has a story with some unique elements and some potential creative setups for scares, while also not treading too far into disturbing levels. There is an atmosphere of comedy embedded that at times brought out a laugh or two in me. However, the movie does not finish any of these elements strongly and struggles to keep the balance between fright and fun just right. The result becomes a mundane film that could be a beginner-level horror movie that only stands out in a few spots as the creepy piece it aspired to be. I can't recommend this movie for a theater showing, instead looking to a night at home as your venue of choice. Who knows, being at home might enhance the scare factor a bit.
My scores for the film are: Horror/Mystery/Thriller: 5.5 Movie Overall: 5.0.
Imaginary is enjoyable!!!
jellemeijer7 March 2024
The concept of an original horror film can be a breath of fresh air in a genre that sometimes seems saturated with repetition and clichés. When a film manages to offer something new and refreshing, even if it doesn't reach the very top, it certainly deserves praise. Being 'original' in the film world is often a challenge, because it is easy to fall back on well-known formulas that have already proven successful. But if a film manages to put a unique spin on the genre, it deserves recognition.
The fact that this film may not be among the top, but is still entertaining for horror fans, is also an important point to make. Horror is a genre that is highly dependent on personal taste and preferences. What is scary to one person may be ridiculous to another. That's why it's valuable when a film manages to appeal to a wide audience, even if it doesn't receive the highest reviews.
The cast plays a crucial role in conveying the story and creating believable characters. An excellent cast can take even a mediocre script to new heights. It's great to hear that the cast of this film was so good, especially Alice 'Pyper Braun's performance. It's always impressive when young actors get to showcase their talent on the big screen. It is a testament to their dedication and skill to achieve such a strong performance at such a young age.
It's important to recognize that making a film is an enormously complex process, with countless variables that influence the end result. From the script to the direction, the acting, the cinematography, the music and much more, there are countless elements that must come together to make a film successful. Even if a film isn't perfect, it's admirable when filmmakers manage to create something that entertains and captivates audiences.
Furthermore, the fact that this film introduces an original concept deserves praise in itself. Originality is often hard to find in an age when many films seem to rely on familiar formulas and franchises. It's refreshing to see filmmakers willing to take risks and explore new ideas.
In a nutshell, while 'Imaginary' may not reach the top, it is still a film that deserves to be seen and appreciated. The combination of an original concept, entertaining horror and excellent cast performances make it a film that is definitely worth watching, especially for fans of the genre. And who knows, maybe over the years this film will reach cult status and be appreciated for its unique contribution to the horror genre.
The fact that this film may not be among the top, but is still entertaining for horror fans, is also an important point to make. Horror is a genre that is highly dependent on personal taste and preferences. What is scary to one person may be ridiculous to another. That's why it's valuable when a film manages to appeal to a wide audience, even if it doesn't receive the highest reviews.
The cast plays a crucial role in conveying the story and creating believable characters. An excellent cast can take even a mediocre script to new heights. It's great to hear that the cast of this film was so good, especially Alice 'Pyper Braun's performance. It's always impressive when young actors get to showcase their talent on the big screen. It is a testament to their dedication and skill to achieve such a strong performance at such a young age.
It's important to recognize that making a film is an enormously complex process, with countless variables that influence the end result. From the script to the direction, the acting, the cinematography, the music and much more, there are countless elements that must come together to make a film successful. Even if a film isn't perfect, it's admirable when filmmakers manage to create something that entertains and captivates audiences.
Furthermore, the fact that this film introduces an original concept deserves praise in itself. Originality is often hard to find in an age when many films seem to rely on familiar formulas and franchises. It's refreshing to see filmmakers willing to take risks and explore new ideas.
In a nutshell, while 'Imaginary' may not reach the top, it is still a film that deserves to be seen and appreciated. The combination of an original concept, entertaining horror and excellent cast performances make it a film that is definitely worth watching, especially for fans of the genre. And who knows, maybe over the years this film will reach cult status and be appreciated for its unique contribution to the horror genre.
Imaginary Tripe
vengeance209 March 2024
Warning: Spoilers
Wasn't expecting much from this & only saw a pretty unimaginative (pardon the pun), trailer for the film last year until sweet fa until recently. Like I said, I wasn't expecting much from this as it didn't sell it to me, but, I thought it might be good given Jeff Wadlow, the director of Kick-Ass 2 & Truth Or Dare was behind this. So, naturally, I thought it might be good...
A woman returns to her childhood home to discover that the imaginary friend she left behind is very real & unhappy that she abandoned him.
I found the film to be pretty tame. While the premise & concept were ok, it was poorly executed. If you thought M3gan & Night Swim were bad, look out, this takes the cake. The film has more cons than pros, the pros being the what little horror we got. Then there's the cons... jeez, where to start...
Oh yeah, the film is 1 hour & 40 minutes too long (100 minutes) & has really bad pacing issues especially towards the end. It didn't half out stay its welcome by the time the 3rd act rolled around. It was annoying as the sluggish pacing was bad enough from the start, but by the end, man, it really irritated me & just when you thought the film was ending, more came.
The characters were bland & annoying. Of course, with it being 2024, there was some modern references in the cast & of course, all the male characters were portrayed as weak, bad or non existent in the film. Even the imaginary friend was a male, typical...
But anyway, with that came the lack of scares, the juvenile monsters you see & the dumb, goofy effects. Not to mention the uneven, out there story, the lack of realism & just the disengaged feel & watch of the film. You just couldn't get into it & it became quite a chore to watch after the first 40 minutes or so.
The film was more talky talk, drawn out drama than horror & scares which were little to non-existent, ok, there was some scary visuals but they weren't that great in themselves. I also couldn't help but feel there was a sort of message in the film, about men not being needed, I don't know, but from the portrayal of the characters, it's pretty plain to see...
Overall, it's a pretty weak & annoying watch of a film. This film didn't cut it & was utter tripe from start to finish. Weak characters, weak story, weak effects & an over bloated runtime with pacing so slow, even slugs would be squirming with frustration just to get to the end.
2/10.
A woman returns to her childhood home to discover that the imaginary friend she left behind is very real & unhappy that she abandoned him.
I found the film to be pretty tame. While the premise & concept were ok, it was poorly executed. If you thought M3gan & Night Swim were bad, look out, this takes the cake. The film has more cons than pros, the pros being the what little horror we got. Then there's the cons... jeez, where to start...
Oh yeah, the film is 1 hour & 40 minutes too long (100 minutes) & has really bad pacing issues especially towards the end. It didn't half out stay its welcome by the time the 3rd act rolled around. It was annoying as the sluggish pacing was bad enough from the start, but by the end, man, it really irritated me & just when you thought the film was ending, more came.
The characters were bland & annoying. Of course, with it being 2024, there was some modern references in the cast & of course, all the male characters were portrayed as weak, bad or non existent in the film. Even the imaginary friend was a male, typical...
But anyway, with that came the lack of scares, the juvenile monsters you see & the dumb, goofy effects. Not to mention the uneven, out there story, the lack of realism & just the disengaged feel & watch of the film. You just couldn't get into it & it became quite a chore to watch after the first 40 minutes or so.
The film was more talky talk, drawn out drama than horror & scares which were little to non-existent, ok, there was some scary visuals but they weren't that great in themselves. I also couldn't help but feel there was a sort of message in the film, about men not being needed, I don't know, but from the portrayal of the characters, it's pretty plain to see...
Overall, it's a pretty weak & annoying watch of a film. This film didn't cut it & was utter tripe from start to finish. Weak characters, weak story, weak effects & an over bloated runtime with pacing so slow, even slugs would be squirming with frustration just to get to the end.
2/10.
Underrated
catatelesconta67834 April 2024
I think people rate horror movies thinking they are supposed to be Oscars nominees.
So the story isn't spectacular, true, but a scary movie is supposed to scare the audience and that's all it should really be expected, and I think this movie had a fair share of scary scenes (and I've seen many many horror movies). I would even go as far and say it was the scariest movie I've seen in 2024 so far. Lately I've hardly reacted to jump scares in movies, but this one got me somehow.
Horror movies have been getting worse and worse ratings on IMDb the past few years, and some of them are way scarier than older better rated movies. People are getting too demanding ahah
In my opinion, as a horror movie, it's underrated.
So the story isn't spectacular, true, but a scary movie is supposed to scare the audience and that's all it should really be expected, and I think this movie had a fair share of scary scenes (and I've seen many many horror movies). I would even go as far and say it was the scariest movie I've seen in 2024 so far. Lately I've hardly reacted to jump scares in movies, but this one got me somehow.
Horror movies have been getting worse and worse ratings on IMDb the past few years, and some of them are way scarier than older better rated movies. People are getting too demanding ahah
In my opinion, as a horror movie, it's underrated.
The whole is less than the sum of its parts in this interesting film.
Pairic13 March 2024
Imaginary: The whole is less than the sum of its parts in this interesting film. We have a little girl, Alice, with an imaginary friend who appears after she moves with her stepmother Jessica to the house where Jessica was raised until age 5. Jessica also had an imaginary friend there! Alice's mother Samantha escapes from a psychiatric hospital and attacks Jessica (couldn't they have kept her in the attic ala Mrs Rochester?). The father Max is a rock musician, away a lot of the time and there's also a teenage sister Taylor who is at odds with Jessica. Lets not forget the strange old lady who hangs around outside the house. Then there's Jessica's father Ben who is also mentally disturbed, he caused or negligently allowed Jessica to be injured at age 5, just as Samantha did with Alice! A lot of coincidences here! The Imaginary friend is Chauncey, a terrible teddy bear, Alice threatens those who annoy her that Chauncey will eat them. There are rituals, doorways into other realms and even explanations for an Urban Legend. All of this doesn't fit together too well though. The film needs to be restructured, scenes and sequences moved around. Some scenes are unintentionally funny, this is more due to timing though as there are a few good jump scares. There is also a reveal regarding Chauncey. Directed by Jeff Wadlow, Written by Wadlow, Greg Erb, and Jason Oremland. 6/10.
Imaginary (2024): A Blumhouse Blunder
Horror_Flick_Fanatic9 April 2024
As a horror fanatic for 45 years who religiously consumes 2-3 horror films a week, I can confidently say Imaginary (2024) is a contender for the worst horror film of 2023/24. Buckle up, because this Blumhouse offering is a nightmare on multiple levels.
Firstly, the casting choices feel less like inspired picks and more like a checklist of forced inclusion. The actors themselves deliver performances that range from forgettable to downright wooden. It's clear they're struggling with a script that's as flimsy as a Halloween cobweb.
Speaking of the script, it's the real monster here. The premise of a creepy imaginary friend taking a dark turn had potential, but the execution is laughably bad. The film throws logic out the window with nonsensical plot points and relies on tired horror tropes that haven't scared anyone since the 80s.
Here's a tip for spotting overhyped horror films: check the IMDb ratings by date released. A flood of 7-10 ratings in the first month often indicates the production company inflating the score. Then, watch the ratings plummet as real viewers experience the film. Imaginary is a textbook case - a short-lived sugar rush of fake praise followed by the bitter aftertaste of disappointment.
If you're looking for a genuinely scary movie, avoid Imaginary like a haunted house with a "Beware of Dog" sign. This is a Blumhouse misstep that will leave you feeling cheated and, more importantly, bored.
Firstly, the casting choices feel less like inspired picks and more like a checklist of forced inclusion. The actors themselves deliver performances that range from forgettable to downright wooden. It's clear they're struggling with a script that's as flimsy as a Halloween cobweb.
Speaking of the script, it's the real monster here. The premise of a creepy imaginary friend taking a dark turn had potential, but the execution is laughably bad. The film throws logic out the window with nonsensical plot points and relies on tired horror tropes that haven't scared anyone since the 80s.
Here's a tip for spotting overhyped horror films: check the IMDb ratings by date released. A flood of 7-10 ratings in the first month often indicates the production company inflating the score. Then, watch the ratings plummet as real viewers experience the film. Imaginary is a textbook case - a short-lived sugar rush of fake praise followed by the bitter aftertaste of disappointment.
If you're looking for a genuinely scary movie, avoid Imaginary like a haunted house with a "Beware of Dog" sign. This is a Blumhouse misstep that will leave you feeling cheated and, more importantly, bored.
Not quite
nickyb-7913126 March 2024
I usually like this genre of horror that requires suspension of disbelief in a massive way to believe something inanimate can be sinister. Here though it was far off with the camera work and coincidental soundtrack doing nothing to make the dumb teddy possess any quality of fear. This was made worse as other times the camera work was excellent in composition as well as lighting and sound bearing hallmarks of quality movie making. The high drama aspect required to create chills didn't hit at all and dialogue in places seemed to be very low effort. The handful of shivers that didn't require acting did hit but in hindsight had nowhere near the impact they could have had. Towards the end the horror did take a twist reminiscent of nightmare of elm street's dream sequence end in suspense and thrills.
I'd be surprised if there was a sequel or a series of movies in the future in the same way as the conjuring.
I'd be surprised if there was a sequel or a series of movies in the future in the same way as the conjuring.
Even the Horror is Imaginary
arsalanweb8 April 2024
Unimaginative Plot:
Imaginary falls short in delivering a captivating storyline. The concept of an imaginary friend turning sinister has been done before, and this movie fails to bring anything fresh or innovative to the table. The plot feels recycled and lacks the depth needed to keep audiences engaged. It's a missed opportunity to explore the psychological aspects of imaginary friends in a more nuanced manner.
Flat Characters: The characters in Imaginary are as one-dimensional as they come. From the protagonist to the imaginary friend itself, none of them manage to evoke any real empathy or interest from the audience. They feel like mere caricatures rather than fully fleshed-out individuals. This lack of depth makes it difficult to invest in their struggles or care about their fates, resulting in a disconnect that persists throughout the film.
Lackluster Execution: Despite a potentially intriguing premise, Imaginary fails to capitalize on its own potential. The pacing is uneven, with moments of tension quickly dissipating into boredom. The scares are predictable, relying too heavily on tired horror tropes that fail to evoke any genuine fear. Furthermore, the film's production quality leaves much to be desired, with shoddy special effects and uninspired cinematography detracting from what little atmosphere the movie manages to build.
Overall, Imaginary is a forgettable addition to the horror genre that fails to leave a lasting impression. It's a by-the-numbers affair that offers little in the way of originality or excitement. Save yourself the disappointment and seek out more compelling frights elsewhere.
Flat Characters: The characters in Imaginary are as one-dimensional as they come. From the protagonist to the imaginary friend itself, none of them manage to evoke any real empathy or interest from the audience. They feel like mere caricatures rather than fully fleshed-out individuals. This lack of depth makes it difficult to invest in their struggles or care about their fates, resulting in a disconnect that persists throughout the film.
Lackluster Execution: Despite a potentially intriguing premise, Imaginary fails to capitalize on its own potential. The pacing is uneven, with moments of tension quickly dissipating into boredom. The scares are predictable, relying too heavily on tired horror tropes that fail to evoke any genuine fear. Furthermore, the film's production quality leaves much to be desired, with shoddy special effects and uninspired cinematography detracting from what little atmosphere the movie manages to build.
Overall, Imaginary is a forgettable addition to the horror genre that fails to leave a lasting impression. It's a by-the-numbers affair that offers little in the way of originality or excitement. Save yourself the disappointment and seek out more compelling frights elsewhere.
Lifetime quality Blumhouse movie that is atrocious
Hopedoesnotdie30 March 2024
Really terrible on all fronts from the acting, shoddy editing, weird production design and bad writing. I used to have so much respect for Dewanda Wise but this movie made her look really bad. Felt like she just showed up and learned her lines that morning, random emotional scenes that felt out of place and acting on par with melodramatic lifetime movies. There was zero chemistry between all the actors. Worst casting was the father who kept falling in and out of his accent from American to Australian. I did not buy him as a father at all, and the age difference did not feel authentic. Dewanda just felt like she was showing up for her check, she needs to fire her agent. The cinematography felt too much like a TV movie with special effects that looked like a 90's Disney film like "Don't Look Under the Bed." I got whiplash from the dark scenes transitioning straight to bright sunlight. The film was laughably bad, I'm shocked it made it into theaters. There was not a single good performance in this film. Teenagers in the theatre kept chatting and playing on their phones and laughing, which tells me even more that nobody was invested in this mediocre film.
I didn't buy for a second that any of the characters ever cared about one another. Teenage daughter was a clichè stereotype I've seen so many times, nothing fresh or intriguing. I did not buy for a second Dewanda cared about those kids and there was zero chemistry akin to actors talking to a pillow because nothing genuine bounced between them. Just flat and forced emotion that was never earned.
I didn't buy for a second that any of the characters ever cared about one another. Teenage daughter was a clichè stereotype I've seen so many times, nothing fresh or intriguing. I did not buy for a second Dewanda cared about those kids and there was zero chemistry akin to actors talking to a pillow because nothing genuine bounced between them. Just flat and forced emotion that was never earned.
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