Systematically testing several diagnoses using one’s specialization, skillfulness, and sensibilities associated with scrupulousness and selflessness specifications is a slippery slope to decide if the answer to the mystery is supernatural or scientific.

The Boogeyman was the sixteenth entry at the Horror-Rama Film Festival and it’s from Canada. A doctor in training who treats her patients via Zoom chats due to the pandemic. A father name Jerry discusses his sick son with her. He appears to have a nasty bruise from the night before. Jared tells his sad tale of the death of his firstborn son. He claims the Boogeyman was involved and he’s not crazy. Tension mounts as he acts more suspiciously. The doctor blames it on lethal amounts of mould but he’s not buying it. When the call is over she goes about her night until bedtime. Jared calls at 3 am saying he wants to show her something. Was he telling the truth?

Writer/Director Phil Borg uses video chats for perspectives of both sides of the coin while also providing an incredible found footage feel. He plays with reality by casting a shadow of doubt throughout the film. The lighting adds to the atmospheric bleak tone.

The cast is good at making it feel like real people having discussions about the subject matter without going overboard. Miranda Millar plays the young doctor. Phil Borg plays the father. Both people equally express their points of view clearly stating their conflicting arguments. They play their characters with so much conviction.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this tug of war between whether what’s happening is supernatural or scientific. It begs the question: Is there a logical explanation for everything? This won me over with its competent directing, proficient writing, and superb acting. I highly recommend it because it’s reminiscent of Blair Witch Project and Paranormal Activity but it approaches the material innovatively so it’s not derivative of those. The audience clapped and cheered loudly with this one too. And remember, as Mark Twain says “The truth is stranger than fiction, because fiction is obliged to stick to probability, and the truth ain’t.”

Grade: 8/10

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