Evil Boy Review: A Creepy Family Thriller

Release date: September 8, 2020 (DVD and Digital)
Running time: 90 minutes
Starring: Elena Lyadova, Vladimir Vdovichenkov, Sevastian Bugaev, Evgeniy Tsyganov, Anna Ukolova, Konstantin Topolaga, and Roza Khayrullina 

Several years after their son’s disappearance, a grieving couple adopts a feral boy, who begins to eerily resemble their child more with each passing day. While the mother believes they have found their son, her husband is certain that he died. As strange accidents begin happening around the boy, the pair soon wonders whether they've adopted something not entirely human.

Evil Boy has a really great setting and aesthetic.  The film has a sense of dread that is prevalent throughout, with a creepy, dark setting at times, unsettling sounds, and the feral boy himself.  The main characters in this film are the young family, and they do a good job setting the scene for this supernatural thriller.  The father, played by Vdovichenkov, is convincing as a concerned but caring father, who is doing what he can to support his wife and keep their family together.  The mother, played by Lyadova, is likewise great as a grieving mother who is hoping a little too much for her son to return.  And Bugaev as their young kid is just fantastic.  He puts on such a scary performance when needed, with his unsettling stares and changes from feral beast to sweet child happening quickly.  Seriously, he does a really great job and when needed, he is profoundly creepy.  The story has plenty of ups and downs, and takes a long time getting to the supernatural aspects.  It allows you to meet the characters and learn their background, before getting you into some of the more unsettling parts of this film.  

However, although the story does a really great job with the setup, and setting the stage for a lot of unsettling elements, it feels like there is not enough traditional horror in this film.  Much of the film happens off screen, with you being guided by the sounds and only seeing the aftermath.  This can lead to the film feeling like not much is happening since you don't get to see it.  And this is not helped by the generally slow speed of the film.  Also, there are character flips in the middle of the story that feel a little unnatural.  And with such a promising buildup, I was expecting more from the ending, which felt a little unsatisfying given how much time was spent at the start.  It felt like the ending was kind of rushed, with a flurry of things happening with only partial explanations.  But the ultimate conclusion does provide you with a surprise, and does feel fitting given the story that was told.  And although the film generally foregoes CG, the few parts it has that use it were disappointing.  It is very noticeable when the film switches over to CG, and it was distracting to watch.  But that being said, Evil Boy is a good effort and an unsettling movie at times.

Evil Boy has a creepy premise and cast, with an unsettling performance by the young namesake character and plenty of atmosphere in this supernatural thriller.

Rent it.

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