Imaginary, the latest film by Blumhouse and Lionsgate, is a horror movie that can be enjoyed by the whole family. The film, which is directed by Jeff Wadlow and stars DeWanda Wise, Tom Payne, and Pyper Braun, is a fun and scary adventure that explores the dark side of imaginary friends.
The film follows Jessica (Wise), who moves with her husband (Payne) and her two stepdaughters (Burns and Braun) to her childhood home, hoping to reconnect with her past. However, she soon realizes that the house is haunted by a sinister entity that poses as the imaginary friend of her younger stepdaughter, Alice (Braun). The entity, named Chauncey, is a stuffed bear that Alice finds in the basement, and that has a history of terrorizing Jessica and her family.
Jessica must find a way to protect her family from Chauncey, who becomes more violent and dangerous as the film progresses. She must also confront her own trauma and secrets, which are linked to Chauncey and his origin. Along the way, she discovers the truth about imaginary friends, and how they can turn from harmless companions to deadly enemies.
The film is a perfect starter horror movie for the family, according to the director
The director of the film, Jeff Wadlow, said that he wanted to make a horror movie that could be watched by the whole family, without being too graphic or disturbing. He said that he was inspired by his own experience of watching Poltergeist as a child, and how it affected him.
“I think of Imaginary as of ‘four-quadrant horror,’” he said. “Some people use the expression ‘gateway horror,’ which I think denotes a softer kind of film. I think of it as a scary story that you want a big group of people sitting around the campfire to listen to. I’m not trying to ruin anyone’s psychic peace with some horrible vision that they can’t ever unsee. I want them to enjoy it the same way we enjoy roller coasters.”
Wadlow said that he aimed to create a film that had all the elements of a typical horror movie, such as suspense, jump scares, and creepy atmosphere, but that was also tame enough that it could be suitable for younger audiences. He said that he wanted to tap “into the innocence of imaginary friends” and question whether they are really just a figment of our imagination, or if there is something more terrifying under the surface.
Wadlow also said that he wanted to make a film that had a deeper meaning and message, beyond the scares. He said that he wanted to explore the themes of family, identity, and trauma, and how they affect our relationships and choices. He said that he wanted to show that imaginary friends can be a reflection of ourselves, and that we have the power to overcome our fears and heal our wounds.
The film is a collaboration between Blumhouse and Lionsgate, two studios that are known for their horror films
Imaginary is a collaboration between Blumhouse and Lionsgate, two studios that are known for their horror films. Blumhouse is the studio behind successful horror franchises such as Paranormal Activity, Insidious, The Purge, and Halloween, as well as original films such as Get Out, The Invisible Man, and Fantasy Island. Lionsgate is the studio behind popular horror films such as Saw, The Cabin in the Woods, The Hunger Games, and Knives Out.
The film is the third collaboration between Wadlow and Blumhouse, after Truth or Dare and Fantasy Island, both of which were also released by Universal Pictures. Wadlow praised Blumhouse and its founder and CEO, Jason Blum, for their support and creative freedom. He said that Blum was a producer who understood the genre and the audience, and who empowered the filmmakers to do their best work.
“He said, ‘Listen, the first time I’m going to watch the movie is when I watch your cut with an audience,’” Wadlow said. “’The one thing I cannot abide is if there’s a scene that doesn’t work, and I say that didn’t work, I cannot stand the idea of you turning to me, Jeff, and saying, ‘Yeah, I knew it wasn’t going to work.’”
The film is also the first collaboration between Blumhouse and Lionsgate, which have both been leaders in the horror genre for the past decade. The film is part of a new distribution deal between the two studios, which will see Lionsgate releasing several Blumhouse films in the next few years. The deal is expected to bring more horror films to the big screen, and to cater to the diverse and loyal fan base of the genre.
Imaginary is now playing in theaters, and is rated PG-13 for terror, violence, and some language.
