Blumhouse Productions is once again delving into the realm of childhood objects turned sinister with their upcoming horror film, Imaginary. Directed by Jeff Wadlow, the movie tells the story of a woman who moves back to her childhood home with her new family. As her stepdaughter discovers her old stuffed bear, she soon realizes that her once-imaginary friend is far from friendly and harbors malicious intentions.
The cast of Imaginary is led by DeWanda Wise, known for her role in Jurassic World: Dominion. Joining her are Pyper Braun, Tom Payne, Betty Buckley, Taegen Burns, Matthew Sato, and Dane DiLiegro. With the film's release just a month away, Lionsgate has unveiled a new trailer that gives viewers a glimpse into the terrifying monsters that inhabit the alternate dimension the titular entities originate from. The trailer also suggests that these entities possess real people, leaving us to question their ultimate motives.
Blumhouse likely aims to recreate the critical and commercial success they achieved with the 2023 film M3GAN, which also centered around a horror concept focused on childhood toys. However, there are two untoward streaks that they will need to break with Imaginary. The first involves their previous collaborations with Jeff Wadlow as co-writer and director. Their past projects, Truth or Dare (2018) and Fantasy Island (2020), were financial successes but received negative reviews from critics, with approval ratings of 15% and 8% on Rotten Tomatoes, respectively. Wadlow's track record outside of Blumhouse is also mixed, with his best-reviewed project being the family horror comedy The Curse of Bridge Hollow (2022), which sits at a 46% approval rating from critics.
Furthermore, Blumhouse, known for their consistent positive reviews on most of their movies, has experienced a slight decline in critical reception in recent years. While films like The Black Phone, Run Sweetheart Run, M3GAN, and Sick have been well-received, their last four theatrical releases have garnered largely negative reviews, including this year's Night Swim.
Imaginary presents a unique partnership between Blumhouse and Lionsgate, and it remains uncertain how the collaboration between the two studios will impact the overall quality of the film. Lionsgate has also faced varied critical reactions with their recent horror offerings. Saw X and The Blackening received rave reviews, while the Seth Rogen-produced Cobweb received mixed feedback, and Antebellum proved to be a disappointment despite its promising concept. With Imaginary, we can only hope that Blumhouse, Lionsgate, and Wadlow have found the right formula to deliver a distinct and chilling cinematic experience.
In Imaginary, Blumhouse Productions explores the haunting consequences of a childhood toy with a vengeance. As the protagonist returns to her past and reconnects with her long-forgotten imaginary friend, she soon discovers that the dormant bitterness from their previous abandonment has transformed this seemingly harmless companion into a malevolent force. With its intriguing premise, talented cast, and the combined efforts of Blumhouse and Lionsgate, Imaginary holds promise as a horror film that will keep audiences on the edge of their seats.
