The Bye Bye Man

The Bye Bye Man is a supernatural horror movie released in 2017, directed by Stacy Title and staring Douglas Smith, Lucien Laviscount, Cressida Bonas, and Doug Jones. This intense thriller applies an imaginative approach to the traditional forboding folklore genre, utilising contemporary themes.

The story centers around three college students- Elliot (Douglas Smith), his girlfriend Sasha (Cressida Bonas), and his best friend John (Lucien Laviscount). They move into an old house off campus to begin what should be the best years of their lives, full of freedom, fun and exploration. However, they are completely oblivious to the horror that is in store for them as they begin to experience some unnatural, terrifying incidents. A series of strange events ignites their curiosity, propelling the young trio into a chain of horrifying discoveries that tweaks the traditional ghost story trope in a contemporary and chilling manner.

The intrigue begins when Elliot comes across an old side table inscribed with the words "The Bye Bye Man". Their subsequent investigation drops them into a cascading torrent of paranoia, fear and hallucinations that disrupts their lives in most horrifying ways. As they delve deeper into the mystery, they inadvertently unlock and awaken a supernatural entity that perpetuates and feeds off their fear.

The scary entity they inadvertently invoke - The Bye Bye Man, terrifyingly portrayed by Doug Jones- is a relentless and insidious presence that creates a truly chilling atmosphere. This isn’t a creature who lurks in the shadows and quietly leaves traces of its visit. Instead, he attacks where it hurts most – the mind. Once you know his name, you cannot forget him and the knowledge proves to be as deadly as he himself is.

As the characters struggle with deciphering the real from the imagined, their relationships are strained and their sanity teeters on the edge. The movie masterfully teases out the psychological toll this terror wages on the characters, blending elements of psychological terror alongside the supernatural horror. This disorientation is made even more palpitable by the excellent performances of the young cast. Smith, Laviscount and Bonas convincingly portray the transformation of their characters from carefree college students to terrorized victims.

Director Stacy Title does an exceptional job at keeping the audience on the edge of their seats throughout the film. She has a masterful command of pace, deftly building suspense and tweaking tension levels to create an irresistibly chilling atmosphere. Far from relying solely on loud noises and cheap scares, Title utilizes the building dread to propel the story forward, using a mix of suspense and fear to weave a tale that gradually unveils its horrifying secrets.

The movie has an eerie environment to it, enhanced by the chilling soundtrack and dimly lit cinematography that lends the film a fraught and unnerving atmosphere. James Kniest’s broody cinematography plays with shadows and dingy interiors to create a creepy backdrop that adds a layer of dread to the narrative. The special effects serve as a frightening backbone to the story which does not rely on them but employs them strategically to bolster the horror.

Overall, The Bye Bye Man shines within its genre, carving out a unique identity within the time-honored tradition of supernatural horror movies. While the story might feel familiar on the surface, it’s the underlying tension, atmospheric dread, engaging performances and intriguing mystery that make this film a standout. It’s a chilling exploration of fear, folklore and the power of names, guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat and doubting your own perceptions. This movie is an explicit display of how every decision our young protagonists make could lead them down a path that makes you question: Can you trust your own mind when you can't even trust your senses?