The Boy Behind The Door Review: A Terrifying Film That Does Everything Right

Release date: July 29, 2021 Running time: 88 minutes Written and Directed By: David Charbonier and Justin Powell Starring: Lonnie Chavis, Ezra Dewey, Kristin Bauer van Straten A night of unimaginable terror awaits twelve-year-old Bobby (Lonnie Chavis) and his best friend, Kevin (Ezra Dewey), when they are abducted on their way home from school. Managing to escape his confines, Bobby navigates the dark halls, praying his presence goes unnoticed as he avoids his captor at every turn. With no means of calling for help and miles of dark country in every direction, Bobby embarks on a rescue mission, determined to get himself and Kevin out alive… or die trying.

The Boy Behind The Door has a high energy start that introduces you to Bobby and Kevin and their harrowing predicament. It will instantly get you invested in these characters and make you root for them. But what you notice next is the fantastic acting across the board. The risk with younger actors, especially in the horror genre, is that their performances will just be a little off or not natural, but both Chavis and Dewey are naturals here. Their terror, confusion, and pain are all translated onto the screen and help the viewer to feel it as well. And the rest of this small cast does a fantastic job as well. There aren't many characters in this film but they're all perfectly cast and executed.

And The Boy Behind The Door keeps the tension and dread very high. Because you spend most of the time with Bobby, you are constantly listening for the next sound or creak of the house. And this tension doesn't let up. Like many classic horror movies, it will keep you on edge the entire time. And this is helped by the fantastic house that it is set in. Dark and deserted, the house that this takes place in is almost another character. It is quiet and unsettling, exactly what you would want in a horror movie. The Boy Behind The Door is a fantastic, sinister film. It knows its strengths and what it can do well and just executes perfectly. The film has an engaging, dread filled story and doesn't try to do too much. I really liked that the film knew its strengths and leaned on them; taking the viewers on a scary, terrible journey.

The Boy Behind The Door shows a tension-filled night with great performances by these young stars and a brutal, sinister story that will keep you on edge.

Watch it.

If you liked this review and want to see more from Watch or Pass, please consider 

following us on our various social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube. 

The Boy Behind The Door is available to stream on Shudder starting July 29, 2021.