Imaginary (2024) *

Directed by:  Jeff Wadlow

Starring:  DeWanda Wise, Betty Buckley, Tom Payne, Pyper Braun, Taegen Burns, Veronica Falcon

Imaginary is the story of the Ted from hell, a toy bear who does more than just swear and smoke weed.  The teddy bear of Imaginary, named Chauncey, becomes the real manifestation of a child's imaginary friend, or does it?  Even Chauncey may be imaginary, but that doesn't prevent him from being a demon who wants to destroy his newfound pal, a young girl named Alice (Braun), who doesn't realize Chauncey is evil.

The dull and dreary Imaginary, is a by-the-numbers horror film with predictable gotcha moments surrounded by a murky plot which dissolves into a confusing finale.  A lot happens, but none of it is interesting.  Alice's stepmother Jessica (Wise) tries to protect Alice and her resentful sister Taylor (Burns) from the terror caused by the malevolent spirit which surrounds both the bear and Jessica's childhood home to which the family unadvisedly moves.   Terrible things happened to Jessica in that house decades ago, which are described by an off-kilter neighbor (Buckley), who was Jessica's babysitter back in the day.  I would think moving back into that home would not be helpful for Jessica, but I guess money is tight and she moves to where she can afford.

Jessica's husband Tom (Payne) is a musician and conveniently on the road when the bulk of Imaginary's horror takes place.   Tom has the good fortune of not being present for the terrible things that happen to his family and also for not being in the movie much.   He is curiously off-screen for much of the mess and doesn't even come home at an opportune time to intervene or save his family.   He is introduced and then forgotten.   I supposed the filmmakers wanted the female cast members to carry the load and not have to be saved by a man.   They got this, just keep touring Tom. 

Most of the movie's final thirty minutes are filmed in dark, murky corners where we can't tell who is doing what to whom.   It's a free-for-all, and no amount of explanation can save it.  Imaginary is a movie which plays for one or two weeks in half-empty theaters before being shuffled off and not remembered by anyone.