Everyone understands what happens when someone leaves the door open. Well, it’s simple, things get in, and often times they are nasty unwanted pests. But what happens when the supernatural door is left ajar and something ominously terrifying emerges? That is the premise of the recently released summer horror feature: The Boogeyman. Not only is it a frightening story, but one with a PG-13 rating. Given the proclivity of horror to be oh-so-gruesome, one cannot help but muse. So, what makes The Boogeyman the perfect PG-13 film?

Paranormal fare always has a place in the heart of the avid horror fan. Some of the most popular movies of modern times are those of the paranormal subgenre. Those which use realm crossover as a central plot point are even more successful. Thus, enter The Boogeyman, no pun intended. Does it give viewers something to talk about? An individual only needs to look at the master crafter behind which the film is adapted to see it has much to offer.
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The Boogeyman is predicated on a short story written by Stephen King. Knowing what most people know about horror, there is minimal possibility that anyone with even the most remote knowledge of horror does not know his name. He is the purveyor of horror, the premiere peddler of nightmares. Not only does Stephen King have a massive collection of stories, but the adaptations which followed have also increased in number. And there is more to come.

The Boogeyman

Image via Dread Central

According to Collider, “Stephen King published The Boogeyman in 1973 in Cavalier magazine and then again in 1978 in a short story collection titled ‘The Night Shift.'” The original story leans into an account of a man who visits a psychiatrist to dispel some very odd and eerie tragic events in his life. In what appears to be spiraling madness, he tells the psychiatrist how his three young children were murdered. As one might imagine, the story develops into a full-blown horror show.

However, as many of King’s tales of terror have been plucked for retelling to a broader audience, so has The Boogeyman. But believe it or not, this is not the first time it’s been adapted. This short story has been made over twice before. So, this feature film will once more mark a typical translation of his work.

As most moviegoers know, some translations of King’s works are like a “chef’s kiss,” while others require shelving. But this rework has proved unique, raising a fascinating question. What is so special about The Boogeyman that makes it perfect PG-13th fare? The answer is simple.

Related: The Boogeyman Director Explains How Stephen King Creates Unlikable but Empathetic Characters

Close to the Edge: Don’t Push Me

20th Century Studios

Film rating is based on several factors. Horror movies easily cross over the threshold into an R-rating given specific criteria. A few of those criteria include extreme violence and excessive blood and gore. The Terrifier and Evil Dead Rise are perfect examples of why a horror film would receive an “R” rating instead of a PG-13. No one denies die-hard horror fans like their nightmares fueled with something extra.

However, another subset of horror fans prefers their horror to be balanced and in good taste. And a PG-13 rating translates to expanded viewership. Film Lifestyle notes,

“PG-13 is slightly more intense than PG, but it still has some content that might appeal to younger viewers (such as brief nudity).”

So, this is always a measure of balance. There has been a great deal of debate if some PG-13-rated horror films would have performed better if rated R. Baseline is, If a horror film is made correctly, it provides enough to satiate the appetite of the horror fanatic while appealing to those with a little more subdued taste. The Boogeyman has pulled a magic card. This horrifying feature pushes its limits. It frames the story in a way that does not sacrifice terror, which brings on full-blown nightmares, and it does so while maintaining its PG-13 rating.

Related: Exclusive: The Boogeyman Director Rob Savage on How Horror Conquers Fear

The Boogeyman: An Example of Perfection

20th Century Studios

One particularly pivotal scene drives this point home. And that scene is none other than the opening scene. One must admit Rob Savage, the director, knows how to hook an audience. What is brilliant about this scene is that it dances tip-toe toward displaying one of the most taboo and horrific events a horror movie can approach. But while it teeters on the precipice at the right moment, it pulls back. This raises the exhilaration to that of a game of Russian Roulette.

Fundamentally, what makes The Boogeyman the perfect PG-13 film is the boldness with which the story is approached without sacrificing terror for the sake of censorship.

The Boogeyman is a must-see for horror fans, especially for Stephen King fans. While Stephen King has nothing to do with this work specifically, this work is the flower which blossomed from the source work. Fans of King understand his work hardly ever disappoints. The Boogeyman is still a new release, having opened in cinemas on June 2. So if a PG-13 horror movie with some oomph is on this summer’s bucket list, The Boogeyman is worth checking out.