IMAGINARY – “Starts as silly scary fun but devolves into overstuffed nonsense”

imaginary

RATING

DIRECTOR

Directed by: Jeff Wadlow (Truth or Dare – 2018)

MAIN CAST

• DeWanda Wise as Jessica
• Pyper Braun as Alice
• Tom Payne as Max
• Dane DiLiegro as Chauncey Bear

SYNOPSIS

Returning to her childhood home, a woman discovers that the imaginary friend she left behind is very real and unhappy she abandoned him.

REVIEW SUMMARY


Jeff Wardlow’s Imaginary starts as silly scary fun but devolves into overstuffed absurdity. It doesn’t help that the movie also overstays its welcome. But before the laughably bad third act, the film manages to offer up some decent jump scares and a couple of well executed set-ups. It’s all reasonably effective and enjoyable. A big problem is that it is so incredibly redundant. Could Imaginary have used a bit more imagination? Yes. To be fair, the filmmakers try to make this more than just a “killer teddy bear” movie. There’s actually a lot more to it (not to mention a nice little twist at one point). However, the last thirty or so minutes ruin any good will the movie may have had (not that it was blowing our mind in the first place). The paltry effects and awful dialogue sink things really fast. The acting is also quite questionable, with DeWanda Wise left to do all the heavy lifting. Alas, this Blumhouse offering marks another disappointment this year (looking at you Night Swim). Like an imaginary friend, it’s probably best we pretend this movie doesn’t exist.

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