Slender Man (2018)

The urban legend of Slender Man is a fairly creepy one which makes the complete lack of chills in this cheap horror film all the more disappointing. How does one exactly suck all the fear out of such a tale and tell such a pedantic, boring story? Well, you start by doing what a lot of bad horror movies do; they tell you to be afraid instead of actually inspiring fear in you.

A lot of horror movies cheat by not actually investing in telling a truly creepy story and instead just rely on conventions about what is scary. They employ time tested tricks of what we're supposed to be scared of. For audiences who are easily suggestible it can work, it takes no creativity, and there is a lack of risk involved. But when it comes down to it, rarely do these films end up being very scary at all. And what is the point of a non-scary horror movie?

Part of the problem is the way the film renders its villain. They never clearly define who Slender Man is, what his abilities are, or what his M.O. is. While often mystery can work well in horror, there needs to be enough of an understanding of the "monster" to be afraid of it. Here he is such an ambiguous figure that it's hard to muster fear. I'm not sure I was ever clear on what I was supposed to be afraid of. The film just gives me dark hallways, jump scares, and screams. It isn't really enough to get my blood pumping. 

So far my experience with the work of director White is a rather cookie cutter approach to telling stories. This one though is the least creative and original I have seen.

If you want to see every horror movie you've seen before regurgitated then Slender Man might be for you. But I can't imagine this film being satisfying to very many horror fans.

Slender Man
Starring: No one you will recognize
Director: Sylvain White
Writer: David Birke