The Boy

The Boy (2016), directed by William Brent Bell, is an enigmatic and chilling horror thriller that largely revolves around the uncanny world of seemingly lifeless dolls. The movie stars Lauren Cohan, famously recognized for her role in the popular tv series "The Walking Dead," Rupert Evans known for "Hellboy," and James Russell. The screenplay was penned by Stacey Menear, who portrayed a narrative filled with both bone-chilling suspense and psychological torment.

Lauren Cohan plays the role of an American ex-patriot named Greta, who decides to accept a job as a nanny in a remote English village, intending to escape from her traumatic past. The job might seem normal except for the fact that the child she nannies isn't, in fact, a child. Instead, it's an eerily lifelike porcelain doll named Brahms. The parents, the Heelshires (Jim Norton and Diana Hardcastle), treat the doll as if it’s their very own son.

Far from her home and feeling isolated, Greta becomes increasingly intrigued and disturbed upon learning that her little vade mecum has precise rules to care for it, which she initially dismisses as a bizarre joke. However, the longer she stays, the more she is drawn into the strange and eerie world of Brahms. As she delves into the mystery surrounding Brahms and his lifelike behavior, Greta begins to question her sanity.

Rupert Evans stars as Malcolm, a local grocery delivery man who becomes Greta’s friend and confidante. He attempts to dispel her fears by revealing the Heelshires' tragic history and the origin of the doll. Despite his rational explanations, bizarre events keep occurring, making us question if the doll might truly be alive.

The Boy is a unique offering in the horror genre, moving beyond typical low-budget fright flicks, delving effortlessly into psychological terror and suspense. The film's strengths lie in its scripting and pacing, beautifully creating tension while keeping viewers guessing and on edge until the very end. It critically comments on severe themes such as loss, grief, and the destructive way these can spiral into delusion and denial. Taking horror into the psychological realm, The Boy conveys an essence of suspense that is thrilling and unsettling.

Lauren Cohan’s performance as Greta is worth noting as she splendidly depicts the emotional transition from skepticism to fear to understanding. Her portrayal of a woman trying to escape her personal demons, only to be faced with strange, inexplicable events, is compelling. Rupert Evans, too, provides a solid performance as the charming and compassionate Malcolm.

The movie’s ambiance is another significant contributor to the overall scare factor – the decaying old mansion, isolated from civilization, and stuffed with antiques sets the perfect stage of eeriness. The film leverages this setting with perfect shots, background score, and sound effects, presenting a fright-filled experience that's more about creeping terror than jump-scares.

James Russell, as Greta's abusive ex-boyfriend Cole, delivers a fine performance, adding another layer of tension to the narrative. He reinforces Greta's characterization as a woman struggling to break free from her past and adds a critical dimension to the storyline.

The Boy also merits praise for its sound design, cinematography, and atmospheric settings, which play a crucial role in conveying its mood. Combined with an unsettling musical score, they work together to create a sense of foreboding that permeates the entire film.

This suspense-filled, captivative journey delivers a thrilling and unexpected twist in the finale, leaving viewers satisfied yet haunted. The Boy is indeed a finely-crafted film that will appeal to those who appreciate psychological horrors that leave us questioning our perceptions of reality. The film successfully experiments with the liminal space between rational explanations and the supernatural, leaving the audience to grapple with the unexplainable.

In conclusion, The Boy is an intense, eerie, and suspenseful horror mystery that offers engaging performances, a psychologically intriguing story, and masterful suspense. It shows that dolls can be more than just playthings, providing a new perspective on horror films about dolls. The complex and riveting narrative, combined with top-notch acting, makes The Boy a film worth experiencing for suspense and horror movie enthusiasts.