Close Menu
  • Support Us
  • Newsletter
  • News
  • Features
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
    • Video Games
      • Previews
      • PC
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X/S
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Xbox One
      • PS4
      • Tabletop
    • Film
    • TV
    • Anime
    • Comics
      • BOOM! Studios
      • Dark Horse Comics
      • DC Comics
      • IDW Publishing
      • Image Comics
      • Indie Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • Oni-Lion Forge
      • Valiant Comics
      • Vault Comics
  • Podcast
  • More
    • Event Coverage
    • BWT Recommends
    • RSS Feeds
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Support Us
But Why Tho?
RSS Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube
Trending:
  • Features
    Momo and Okarun share a close moment in Dandadan

    Momo And Okarun: The Gold Standard For Shonen Romance

    07/03/2025
    Ironheart Episodes 4 6 But Why Tho 1

    ‘Ironheart’ Explained: Explore MCU’s Bold New Chapter

    07/01/2025
    Buck in 9-1-1

    ‘9-1-1’ Has To Let Buck Say Bisexual

    06/29/2025
    Nintendo Welcome Tour promotional image of the maraca mini-game

    The One “Game” That Justifies The Nintendo Switch 2 Purchase

    06/25/2025
    Destiel Confession in Supernatural - Castiel (Misha Collins) and Dean (Jensen Ackles)

    The Destiel Confession: The Lasting Importance Of Supernatural’s Greatest Ship

    06/22/2025
  • Squid Game
  • K-Dramas
  • Netflix
  • Switch 2 Games
  • Summer Game Fest
But Why Tho?
Home » Film » FANTASTIC FEST 2020: The Boy Behind The Door

FANTASTIC FEST 2020: The Boy Behind The Door

Kate SánchezBy Kate Sánchez09/29/20204 Mins ReadUpdated:08/22/2022
the Boy Behind the Door
Share
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Reddit WhatsApp Email

The Boy Behind the Door

Co-written and directed by David Charbonier and Justin Powell, The Boy Behind the Door offers up a masterclass in tension, the use of darkness, and how to exploit the helplessness of childhood to craft a film that leaves you completely on edge. Having premiered during the Celebration of Fantastic Fest, the virtual alternative to the in-person Fantastic Fest 2020 which was canceled earlier this year, this is a film that hits hard. In the film, Bobby (Lonnie Chavis) and his best friend Kevin (Ezra Dewey) are kidnapped and taken to a strange house in the middle of nowhere. Quickly, Bobby manages to escape. But as he starts to make a break for it, he hears Kevin’s screams for help and realizes he can’t leave his friend behind.

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

The Boy Behind the Door is terrifying. The claustrophobia and containment that Charbonier and Powell use to tell their story propel the way this inverted home invasion story moves. Similar to the critically acclaimed Don’t Breathe, this film isn’t about getting in, it’s about getting out. But the catch is that the tasks that would be simple for an adult, such as jumping in a car and driving away, are nearly impossible for the young boys at the mercy of their captors. The film hones in on the powerlessness of children and what happens when the ones with the power to protect choose to harm instead.

The terror in this film comes from asking children to do the things we ask our final girls to do and what happens when they fail. While we root for our protagonist to swing an ax and get their revenge, that sweet cathartic moment is twisted when you ask a child to do that. As Bobby moves through the house, struggling to find a way out with his limited abilities, we’re confronted with how much harder a crisis situation is for a child. And Charbonier and Powell don’t make any of the scenes easy on the viewer. The filmmakers routinely pull the rug out from under you, increasing the emptiness you feel. The Boy Behind the Door taps into base instincts: you want to protect our leads. You want to pick Bobby up and carry him out the door. You want to save Kevin. And yet, at every turn, Charbonier and Powell unsettle you more.

the Boy Behind the Door

That being said, The Boy Behind the Door isn’t a film that ever shows too much or leans on shock value. It walks the fine line of showing the immediate and future danger the boys will be in without ever leaning into some of the darker subject matters too much. We don’t need to see the evil to know it’s there. Instead, the filmmakers let Bobby and Kevin’s friendship take center stage. Their escape isn’t just about them, it’s about how they can save each other.

The Boy Behind the Door highlights the tasks we often ask of our horror heroes to do in any film. It also explores how children react to adult situations they should never be in. Additionally, Charbonier and Powell expertly center Bobby and Kevin in the narrative and never shifts to telling the story of the adults. In the beginning, we see the adults through their eyes. In a Charlie Brown-esque way, the adults are monsters without faces, and when they’re revealed, the subversion of expectations hits hard.

But perhaps the most surprising element of this film is the actors who play the boys, Lonnie Chavis and Ezra Dewey. Both of them carry the film as well as any adult could. Bobby’s determination and fear are highlighted and Chavis’ ability to command a scene and offer up both strength and vulnerability can’t be praised enough. And it’s their chemistry on camera that feels like a real friendship that sells the last act. While their acting in every scene is great, the way they tackle the more physical elements of the film deserves a special call-out as well.

While they are fighting for their lives, they are still children after all and The Boy Behind the Door never loses sight of that. Instead, it has them unmatched in every encounter with their kidnappers. This makes them have to get creative but it also increases the sense of dread. Escape for these kids is hard-won if at all and there isn’t any moment where you think that they’ll be okay.

Overall, The Boy Behind the Door is phenomenal. Full stop. From the actors to the setting and the use of darkness both visually and thematically, this is a film to watch.

The Boy Behind the Door premiered at Fantastic Fest and is available now on Shudder.

The Boy Behind the Door
  • 9/10
    Rating - 9/10
9/10

TL;DR

Overall, The Boy Behind the Door is phenomenal. Full stop. From the actors to the setting and the use of darkness both visually and thematically, this is a film to watch.

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email
Previous ArticleREVIEW: ‘Batman: Three Jokers,’ Issue 2
Next Article FANTASTIC FEST 2020: Hodags, Hostage Situations, and ‘How to Deter a Robber’
Kate Sánchez
  • Website
  • X (Twitter)
  • Instagram

Kate Sánchez is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of But Why Tho? A Geek Community. There, she coordinates film, television, anime, and manga coverage. Kate is also a freelance journalist writing features on video games, anime, and film. Her focus as a critic is championing animation and international films and television series for inclusion in awards cycles. Find her on Bluesky @ohmymithrandir.bsky.social

Related Posts

The Old Guard 2
5.5

REVIEW: ‘The Old Guard 2’ Is Distracted And Half-Baked

07/02/2025
Scarlett Johansson and Jonathan Bailey in Jurassic World: Rebirth
5.5

REVIEW: ‘Jurassic World: Rebirth’ Is Best When Nobody Is Talking

06/30/2025
MEGAN 2.0 promotional image
7.0

REVIEW: ‘M3GAN 2.0’ Puts Action First

06/29/2025
F1 (2025) promotional key art
8.0

REVIEW: ‘F1’ Is A High-Octane Blockbuster

06/24/2025
KPop Demon Hunters Promotional image form Netflix
9.0

REVIEW: ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Brings Beautiful Animation And An Even Better Message

06/20/2025
Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Alfie Williams in 28 Years Later
8.5

REVIEW: ’28 Years Later’ Is How Franchises Should Return

06/18/2025

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here
TRENDING POSTS
Taecyeon and Seohyun in The First Night With The Duke Episodes 7-8
7.5
TV

REVIEW: ‘The First Night With The Duke’ Episodes 7-8

By Sarah Musnicky07/03/2025

The First Night With The Duke Episodes 7-8 spends welcome time in pre-domestic bliss before new developments stir up trouble.

Together (2025) still from Sundance
8.0
Film

REVIEW: Have A Grossly Good Time ‘Together’

By Kate Sánchez01/27/2025Updated:07/04/2025

Dave Franco and Alison Brie’s Together (2025) is disgustingly funny, genuinely ugly, and just a good time at the movies.

The best dinosaurs in Jurassic World BWT Recommends

From T-Rex To D-Rex: The Top 10 Dinosaurs In ‘Jurassic World: Rebirth’

By Jason Flatt07/04/2025Updated:07/04/2025

Jurassic World Rebirth is packed with one great, thrilling scene of dinosaurs after the next—we ranked the best dinosaurs in the new film.

Black Women Anime — But Why Tho (9) BWT Recommends

10 Black Women in Anime That Made Me Feel Seen

By LaNeysha Campbell11/11/2023Updated:12/03/2024

Black women are some of anime’s most iconic characters, and that has a big impact on Black anime fans. Here are some of our favorites.

But Why Tho?
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest RSS YouTube Twitch
  • CONTACT US
  • ABOUT US
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
  • Review Score Guide
Sometimes we include links to online retail stores. If you click on one and make a purchase we may receive a small contribution.
Written Content is Copyright © 2025 But Why Tho? A Geek Community

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

But Why Tho Logo

Support Us!

We're able to keep making content thanks to readers like YOU!
Support independent media today with
Click Here