Shudder Review: The Boy Behind The Door (2021) Is A Dark Must-See Thriller

 
 
There are few things in this world that upset me more than the abuse of children. That’s the subject of co-writers and co-directors Justin Powell and David Charbonier’s horror-thriller The Boy Behind the Door.
 
In The Boy Behind the Door, “a night of unimaginable terror awaits twelve-year-old Bobby and his best friend, Kevin 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. Even worse is the arrival of another stranger, whose mysterious arrangement with the kidnapper may spell certain doom for Kevin. 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.”
 
First off, I was incredibly impressed by the caliber of acting from the young stars who were both around 13 at the age of filming. Lonnie Chavis’ portrayal of Bobby was both moving and heartbreaking and Ezra Dewey was great. The boys’ fear and panic felt so realistic. You just don’t normally find actors who are so talented at their age. I mean, wow!
 
Powell and Charbonier truly created a fantastic film that will leave you on the edge of your seat and have you screaming directions at your TV screen, “Run kid run!”. I’m very pleased that accomplished their goals of making a disturbing film without actually putting the kids in vulnerable positions. We don’t actually see anything truly horrible, but you know exactly what is going on which makes it easier to stomach. It was also a great decision by the filmmakers to make the kids sweet and innocent yet not completely helpless.
 
During the movie, I found myself completely invested, but when it was over I couldn’t help but think about the real children who experience things like this. Did you know that on average 800,000 kids going missing every year in the US? That is more terrifying than anything that can be depicted in a movie.
 
The Boy Behind the Door will premiere on Shudder on July 29, 2021. If you’re looking for an intense film to watch that makes you run a gambit of emotion, this is it. It’s a fantastic dark and unnerving film.