THE BOY BEHIND THE DOOR: A Horror Film That Wants To Be More

The Boy Behind the Door is the latest film to grace the growing list of Shudder releases. And while it’s not a good film, but not a bad one either. Rather The Boy Behind the Door, from directors David Charbonier and Justin Powell, is a decent and entertaining horror film that longs to be so much more than it currently is.

A Rocky Beginning Meets  Stronger Finish

The Boy Behind the Door immediately presents audiences with an eerie opening – long camera shots from above capturing a moving car and the environment surrounding it. Instantly there is an ominous feeling as the colors of the wilderness have been drained over their rich and deep greens and browns, the sky leeched into a foreboding grey. There is no narrative lead up following the film’s opening, rather a brutal introduction to the film, a car trunk opening, two boys bound inside separated.

Audiences are left with the screams of the two young boys as the trunk is slammed closed and like the boys, we are thrust into darkness. While this introduction could have been held onto longer, the filmmakers instead present a flashback to events earlier in the day – 6 hours earlier to be precise. Audiences find the boys relaxing in the tall grass under a tree conversing as they wait to leave for their baseball game. The foreboding opening is immediately contrasted by the carefree nature of the innocence of childhood wrapped in the bright and luster yellows that fill the screen.

The boys talk about leaving this place when they are older, plotting out future plans too to travel to California, vivid images of the shoreline filling young Bobby’s (Lonnie Chavis) mind. There is a solid connection between the boys that is immediately understood, a friends to the end feeling. ”Promise you won’t go without me” and “friends to the end” become platitudes of devotion and loyalty that foreshadow not only the events that are about to unfold, but also drives hard the depth in loyalty between the boys.

The tranquility of youth is short-lived as viewers are thrown back into the brutality as Bobby is bashed against a tree branch,  and we are brought back to the present, the boys becoming separated – one brought into the house while the other left in the car to suffocate. Instantly, the film radiates feelings of anxiety and claustrophobia of Bobby. There is a moment of release as Bobby allows his mind to drift to the waters of the California shore, a momentary peace allowing for his internal will to survive to break through the surface. But to survive, Bobby must face the ultimate decision  – leave or save Kevin.

A Rollercoaster of Potential

The Boy Behind the Door struggles at the beginning between disjointed editing that shows its seams coupled with unnecessary inclusion of Kevin (Ezra Dewey) early on. The camera cuts to him far too often, especially when sound effects on their own would have been sufficient in creating the intensity and the fight against time the film was going for. Too often the focus that should remain on Bobby is shifted to Kevin, cheating viewers of Bobby’s perspective and leaving Kevin to feel more of a filler. Further complicating, is when only Kevin’s voice (as well as the kidnappers) is used, it sounds like a poorly utilized voiceover separate from the film we are watching.

Beyond the editing and character shots utilized as filler, there are elements and scenes within that frustratingly just don’t make sense. Particularly in moments of cleaning a crime scene and hanging up a phone when it could easily be left off the hook. While there are only a few of the examples, each time an absurdist moment emerges they disconnect the audience rather than heightening the intensity and edge of your seat feeling that was intended.

The Boy Behind the Door begins to find its footing after the first act however, scenes involving Kevin are more evenly placed and cleverly utilized. The score, from composer Anton Sanko, which had been a stand out thus far, continues to literally interlace a heartbeat into its composition, sometimes fault while other times almost deafening. The feeling of time running out is further compounded by the watch the kidnapper wears, counting down to the unknown – for both Bobby and the viewer.

The Boy Behind the Door does suffer from disconnection with its audience, but it always finds a way to pull them back, whether it be through score, performance, gorgeously captured shots or even film reference. The most prominently noticed, and longest-lasting, reference is Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining. The recreation of the film’s most iconic horror scene is brilliantly captured and utilized throughout The Boy Behind the Door and definitely one of the most enjoyable moments.

Lonnie Chavis, however, is the real star of the film and a constant magnet continually demanding attention from his audience. He brings resilience to Bobby that is constantly in an internal battle with his youth and innocence. There is an emotional range he is able to exhibit throughout the film, one that speaks to the heart of his character and to the deeply invested loyalty. There is fear and nativity that is tenderly brought to life, all while the will to survive continually pushes from within. You literally feel Bobby’s determination to save his friend contrasted by the crippling fear he experiences.

Conclusion: The Boy Behind the Door

The Boy Behind the Door is a film that speaks to the promise of both David Charbonier and Justin Powell, as well as its lead Lonnie Chavis. The film boasts some incredible shots, framing marrying with its lighting, crafting intrigue, and lasting impressions. It speaks well to future projects that may be on the horizon for the filmmakers and peaks my interest to see where they will go from here.

Have you seen The Boy Behind the Door? What did you think? Let us know in the comments below!

The Boy Behind the Door will be released on Shudder on July 29, 2021.

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