“Imaginary” takes a familiar concept and adds depth by intertwining childhood imaginary friends with a sinister portrayal reminiscent of the boogeyman. This is a creative direction that is used in other well-known films such as” Paranormal Activity,” “The Shining” and” Sinister” The core concept is that there is a child who sees or befriends an entity that has evil intent. “Imaginary” takes a familiar concept and adds depth by intertwining childhood imaginary friends with a sinister portrayal reminiscent of the boogeyman. Filmmakers frequently explore this angle in movies, drawn by the prevalent notion of imaginary friends in childhood and the added eerie dimension brought about by haunted children.
“In Imaginary,” we follow Jessica’s — portrayed by DeWanda Wise –journey as she navigates life with her newly formed family. Jessica who has found love takes on the role of stepmother to two young girls who have metaphorically lost their mother. As is often the case in such relationships, the dynamic is strained, yet Jessica embraces the challenge with determination. But relationship strain is not the only thing she has to contend with. Jessica has a terrifying past. The details have somehow slipped from her grasp. Many may recognize this as a plot point that forms the core of the feature film “Insidious” birth mother, acclimating to a new female presence in her life, and settling into a recent relocation. Amidst these adjustments, Alice, the youngest stepdaughter, discovers solace in the companionship of a newfound friend. As many have already assessed, the friend is Imaginary and bears the name Chauncey. Chauncey is a greedy fellow. Almost instantly, this new friend begins to consume much of Alice’s time, creating a rift in the process of bonding with Jessica. Horror fans know that it isn’t long before sweet conversations with imaginary friends like Chauncey are driven by dark and unsettling motives.
“Imaginary” invites viewers on a journey of unraveling Chauncey’s identity and exploring its pivotal point of connection. The writers do an okay job of misdirecting the viewers. The narrative has its undeniable strengths. It keeps the viewers invested and stays one step ahead of expectations. At times, viewers are led to believe in certain rationales, only for the writers to skillfully debunk them, showcasing the hallmark of exceptional storytelling.
Imaginary has great bones. However, some shortcomings have driven some critics to categorize Imaginary as a mediocre film at best.
One weakness falls to Wises’ delivery in her role as Jessica. She is supremely naïve. She cannot push forward when her instincts tell her something is wrong. This is a character flaw that is used to further the storyline. This is because none of it would be believable without her naivety. Second, there are some lapses. The viewer has every inclination, based on what they see and the earlier dialogue, that a solidified object (bear) serves as the conduit for the imaginary friend. However, at one point, this is negated, which lends to a bit of incredulity. The writers attempt to go back to cover their tracks, but there remains one fatal flaw. To illustrate, it is mentioned that Jessica has been fooled. However, a statement the therapist makes upon examining young Alice shows that there is a misalignment. The therapist inquires where Alice has learned the art of ventriloquism. However, typically, a ventriloquist needs an object through which they speak. To ask such would show that there was indeed a solidified object that she had observed. Third, the ending is infinite. This film has at least four different endings in this singular piece. And even after the fourth, there is still no direct resolution. Choosing either of which to end the narrative would have sufficed.
Imaginary is creative and has the potential for greatness. Subtle nuances missed create gaps that undo the more solid particulars. If the film could be envisioned as another object it would be a train, deemed to have lost its conductor so gradually it runs off the rails. Earnestly Imaginary does not lack entertainment value, but one should not expect brilliance. It is a film that is great for passing the time and momentary enjoyment.