Could anything be more terrifying than the Boogeyman? That’s the question Prime Video viewers might find themselves pondering this weekend.
The platform has just added The Boogeyman, a quietly released horror film starring Chris Messina that deserves a look.
If you prefer a straight-up action flick, there’s End of Days, featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger in a battle against the Devil himself. (My bet’s on the former California Governor.)
Lastly, some find the Bond movie A View to a Kill unintentionally scary, but viewed as a comedy, it stands out as one of the more entertaining classic 007 adventures.
‘The Boogeyman’ (2023)
Therapist Will Harper (Chris Messina) is still mourning his wife when a strange encounter occurs with his patient, Lester (David Dastmalchian). After confiding in Will that an evil spirit murdered his family, Lester commits suicide in Will’s home. Subsequently, Will and his daughters, Sadie (Sophie Thatcher) and Sawyer (Vivien Lyra Blair), are tormented by the same spirit, which they call “The Boogeyman.” Will is determined to prevent Lester’s family’s fate from befalling his own, but how can anyone defeat something that isn’t technically real?
Adapted from a Stephen King story, The Boogeyman delivers enough eerie visuals and jump scares to make it a worthwhile horror experience. The film shines brightest when focusing on Will’s daughters and their dawning realization that something is very wrong. The conclusion feels somewhat rushed, but it remains a satisfying watch with Halloween approaching.
The Boogeyman is available on Prime Video.
‘End of Days’ (1999)
1999 was an odd period. The Backstreet Boys dominated the music scene, The Matrix astonished audiences worldwide, and many feared the Y2K bug would collapse civilization. Perhaps that explains the release of the apocalyptic action film End of Days near year’s end. While not a blockbuster, it offers enough to entertain, including one of Arnold Schwarzenegger‘s most overlooked action performances.
The Terminator star plays Jericho Cane, a hard-drinking NYPD officer who, after losing his wife and child, is indifferent to living or dying. But duty calls, and his latest case is a big one: protecting Christine York (Robin Tunney), a young woman targeted by religious fanatics who wish to kill her. They believe she’s destined to be Satan’s bride and bear the Antichrist, and as it turns out, they are correct! Now, Jericho must save Christine from being killed and prevent the apocalypse by stopping the birth of a literal devil child. The kicker? Jericho doesn’t even get overtime!
End of Days is goofy and marred by dated, unconvincing CGI demons, but Schwarzenegger single-handedly carries this film. His Jericho is a broken man who summons the resolve to do what’s right, even if it means confronting the forces of darkness head-on.
End of Days can be streamed on Prime Video.
‘A View to a Kill’ (1985)
Among followers of James Bond, A View to a Kill is held in similar regard to, for example, Jeffrey Dahmer. However, I have a soft spot for this movie, mainly because of its numerous imperfections. Roger Moore makes his seventh and last appearance as 007, as he investigates the Nazi-bred tech mogul Max Zorin (Christopher Walken). Zorin aims to obliterate Silicon Valley to dominate computer chip manufacturing, and he is fine with killing millions to achieve it. Bond intends to prevent that, but can he overcome Zorin’s forces, especially the deadly May Day (Grace Jones)?
Of course, he succeeds. Revealing that Bond saves the day isn’t a spoiler, but the way he does it makes this movie intriguing. If you see A View to a Kill for what it is – a lighthearted action comedy featuring amazing stunts – it is surprisingly entertaining. To quote Danny Glover in Lethal Weapon, Moore is too old for this s***, yet he retains the wry humor that made him enjoyable in earlier, better Bond films such as The Spy Who Loved Me. Walken is delightfully over-the-top as the suave, blond villain, and Jones is simply amazing as one of the few Bond women who could defeat the secret agent in close combat.
A View to a Kill is available on Prime Video.
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