REVIEW: ‘Imaginary’ Fails To Bring Childhood Horror To Life

Growing up, many kids find solace in having an imaginary friend. Traditionally, this is seen as a positive aspect of childhood development, fostering social skills, creativity, and more. However, for those with a penchant for horror, like myself, the notion of an imaginary friend often invokes unease and fear. Films such as Poltergeist, Z, and The Exorcist exemplify this, portraying imaginary friends as harbingers of dread rather than companionship.

In Imaginary (2024), the newest film from director Jeff Wadlow (Truth or Dare, Fantasy Island), the familiar concept of an imaginary friend embodied in the form of a teddy bear receives a fresh twist in an attempt to distinguish itself from its contemporaries. Does Wadlow and his team manage to deliver a memorable horror flick? Unfortunately, even with the addition of an adorable teddy bear, this film fails to leave a lasting impression.

To keep spoilers to a minimum, here is the official movie synopsis: When Jessica (DeWanda Wise) moves back into her childhood home with her family, her youngest stepdaughter (Pyper Braun) develops an eerie attachment to a stuffed bear named Chauncey she finds in the basement. Alice starts playing games with Chauncey that begin playfully and become increasingly sinister. As Alice’s behavior becomes more and more concerning, Jessica tries to intervene. Only she realizes Chauncey is much more than the stuffed toy bear she believed him to be.

Who isn’t a sucker for a horror film featuring childhood toys and cuddly plushies? Certainly not me. Just take a look at what happened with Five Nights at Freddy’s. Though it benefited from being an established IP, the premise of murderous stuffed animatronics propelled it to become the highest-grossing horror film of 2023. There’s something to say about horror films that exploit the innocence of children’s toys/experiences by turning them into the most unexpected source of danger.

Imaginary (2024) presents a solid premise by initially exploring how an imaginary friend can serve as a coping mechanism for trauma. The potential to delve into the complexities of trauma and its terrifying manifestations is evident, particularly with Jessica navigating the role of stepmother to two girls in her old, memory-laden home. However, rather than refining this narrative and allowing it to unfold organically before introducing horror elements, the writing team, comprised of Wadlow, Greg Erb, and Jason Oremland, chose to divert attention towards numerous inconsequential plot points, detracting from the film’s overall coherence.

This caused Imaginary (2024) to feel disjointed, with too many weak threads of narrative and little substance to support them. For example, writing in characters that don’t offer much to the story. Alix Angelis, who plays Samantha, the biological mother to Alice and Taylor, is reduced to a mere caricature of a woman confined to a psychiatric ward that she escapes for unspecified actions against her children. There’s an absence of further exploration or context provided, leaving her portrayal as nothing more than a stereotype of mental illness.

Furthermore, the husband, portrayed by Tom Payne (The Walking Dead), appeared somewhat pointless. Payne’s character primarily serves as a passive presence. He offers little more than positive affirmation to Jessica before conveniently departing to go on tour. While he and Samantha may only be background characters, they still provide insight into the family dynamics. Their lack of substantial involvement felt like a missed opportunity.

Despite its writing and character development shortcomings, Imaginary (2024) showcases several notable strengths. Pyper Braun, in particular, delivers a standout performance as Alice, demonstrating remarkable acting prowess that is bound to set her up for success. Alongside Pyper, Taegan Burns impresses as the older sister, skillfully balancing teenage angst with emotional depth. DeWanda Wise as Jessica stands out as one of the film’s more solid performances, offering an open heart while standing strong in her convictions. Lastly, Betty Buckley, who plays Gloria, Jessica’s nosy neighbor, adds a compelling layer of intrigue.

The film also boasts impressive practical effects, particularly in portraying the teddy bear, seamlessly transitioning it from a benign toy to a menacing and lethal entity. Moreover, the tension is expertly built up through the use of the entity outside of Chauncey. Furthermore, Wadlow’s evident passion for the horror genre shines through in the film’s nods, intentionally or not, such as The Exorcist and Insidious.

Imaginary (2024) presents a fun concept with a unique twist but ultimately falls short due to an overcrowded narrative. With too many competing storylines trying to cuddle up to the spotlight, the film lacks focus. Had the writers streamlined their approach and concentrated on one or two central plotlines, the result would have been a much stronger and cohesive film. This missed opportunity prevents Imaginary (2024) from finding its place in the toy chest of the best horror toy films and instead leaves it scattered among the clutter of competing narratives.

Imaginary (2024) is available to stream on Starz.