If 2024 has taught me anything so far, it’s that a lot of people feel that you must either love or hate a movie. There’s apparently no in between anymore. Yet again, that is the case with Blumhouse’s Imaginary – a film that has been labeled as terrible by many, which is far from the truth.

Imaginary came out in theaters on March 8, 2024, and released on VOD on March 26. The PG-13 horror film follows Jessica, who moves back into her childhood home with her family. When her youngest stepdaughter, Alice, finds a stuffed bear named Chauncey, her behavior becomes more and more concerning, leading to the realization that Chauncey is much more than the stuffed toy bear she believed him to be.

The flick begins with establishing the relationships between characters. This takes up most of the opening act, which does lead to a sluggish start. Still, I appreciated that Imaginary made efforts to create relatable characters, and some of this work did pay off in the closing act. The initial 30 minutes still ended up being the most lackluster part of the movie, and I think this is where some of the runtime could have been trimmed down.

The second act is the standout here, effectively building tension and revealing information to the audience. The third act starts off rocky, as it’s basically an exposition dump to explore the lore of Chauncey. It regroups, however, and comes to an enjoyable conclusion. It misses the mark in some aspects, but it’s satisfying nonetheless. The creativity of everyone involved is highlighted in Imaginary’s last 30 minutes, with fun world building and practical effects. While I’ve seen some hate for the creature design, I was actually a fan of it. It’s not necessarily scary, but it’s supposed to be coming from the mind of a child, and I think that they nailed that look.

In the end, like several other movies this year, the reception to Imaginary baffles me. Sure… there are some glaring issues and it’s not perfect, but what PG-13 horror movie is? This is a great movie for younger audiences specifically, and those looking for an introductory film to the horror genre. It may not deliver many scares, but there is a lot of creativity on display. Imaginary is worth a watch.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5