In an age where a straight to home entertainment release can mean anything from a poorly publicised descent flick or hidden gem to an out and out turkey, it can be hard to find those nuggets of gold without panning through the muck. Horror anthologies of which Beware The Boogeyman falls under with its five tales of horror loosely based on the mythical creature that was poised to frighten kids with its many variants and tales passed on over the years. 

Bookmarked by the setting of Silverdale Psychiatric Hospital where Dr. Moon (Airisa Durand) is briefing potential new recruit Dr. Makenzie (Elissa Dowling) to the team by introducing her to five cases of the inmates (and the tales that form the selection for the anthology) and what led them to their incarceration.

Stepping behind the camera to direct the wraparound and the first story, Case File 1 is Calvin Morie McCarthy to set the tone of the piece by following Cathy (Chynna Rae Shurts) who has brought a guy back to her place for what appears to be an intimate night, only for the reveal of something lurking at the top of the stairs.

Case File 2 then tries to take up the baton with writer/director Josh Dietrich’s telling of Olivia (Nicolette Pullen) an artist who holds some psychological scars that leave her (and us) to ponder what may or may not be reality. A curious mix that falters in its expression.

Case File 3 helmed by Kai Pacifico Eng is the longest segment and buries itself with two brothers in hiding after they have disposed of a body. While the elder, Tommy (Khail Duggan) tries his best to keep on top of the situation, his younger brother Ethan (James Luster) appears to be falling apart and seeing the titular Boogeyman behind every corner, fuelling his guilt.

Case File 4 for me was the strongest in the mix albeit predictable in places. Tim Coyle directs this humouresque take on ghost hunter or paranormal explorer tv shows as they go in search for proof of the boogeyman. John (Steve Larkin) is hellbent on exposing the mythical creature as a real life entity, and employs Rose (Jax Kellington) to help him capture the footage. They get more than they bargained for however when exploring the setting of a previous crime and alleged sighting.

Bowing out the anthology is Case File 5, another tongue in cheek tale that now sees Calvin Morie Mcarthy in front of the lens, as Shawn, a man trying to get back on the straight and narrow only to fall into bad habits once more and evoking the boogeyman along the way. In a change of roles, Chynna Rae Shurts calls the shots in the director’s chair for this one. 

The Prognosis:

Horror anthologies never really set my world alight as I always feel let down by some, if not all of the segments involved, but despite its low budget and predictable narratives, there are some solid beats in the mix to allow this straight to home entertainment piece to make descent viewing if you’re willing to forgive its misgivings.

• Saul Muerte