Some movies are forgotten because they’re bad. “The Empty Man” was forgotten because it never had a chance.

As one of the final films produced by Fox before its acquisition by Disney, it was quietly dumped in theaters in October 2020 without any real marketing push. Combined with the COVID-19 pandemic, this left the film to flounder at the box office, earning just $4.8 million worldwide on a $16 million budget.

The Opening

The early minutes of “The Empty Man” have it all: striking visuals, an eerie score and the introduction of a fascinating central premise. It raises countless questions through its initial reveals, while refusing to give many answers.

Fearless is the best word to describe “The Empty Man.” It makes bold choices before the audience even has time to settle in, using meaningful character drama and high stakes to build its foundation. The film devotes nearly 20 minutes to a prologue that plays like its own short film, providing lore on the entity before moving into the central narrative.

This sequence grips viewers immediately, delivering shock value while subverting expectations. It lingers in haunting fashion right up until the title card hits. 

As a prologue, it sets the stage for the gauntlet of a horror film that follows.

A Bold Mixture of Themes and Genres

Despite its name, “The Empty Man” bears no resemblance to films like “The Bye Bye Man” or “Slender Man.” Instead, it takes a serious approach to trauma, belief and fear through a cosmic lens. Though it’s rooted in horror, it also blends elements of mystery, thriller and drama.

This mixture of tones is what sets it apart. Much of the film adopts a detective-like approach, slowly unraveling the entity’s lore while layering in revelations. This isn’t typical horror backstory either – it’s an intricate mythology that expands as the film unfolds.

Yet the characters remain at the center. At times, “The Empty Man” feels more like a drama than a horror movie, as its cast wrestles with grief and loss. Simple dialogue exchanges lead to some of the most memorable and powerful moments.

Still, at its core, the film never loses its horror identity. Its imagery crawls under the skin, but the real terror lies in the unseen horrors, felt more than shown.

Successes on Multiple Fronts

A film like this thrives on atmosphere, and “The Empty Man” delivers. Its score is a standout, veering from booming to unnervingly subtle. The visuals match, turning bridges, forests and even simple basements into memorable, unsettling landscapes. 

Director David Prior, in his feature debut, demonstrates an eye for detail – from spinning camerawork that disorients to still shots that force viewers to question what they see. Creative editing and effective transitions keep the tension tight, while the vibrant color grading ties it all together.

James Badge Dale anchors the film as James Lasombra. He’s not only blunt and direct in his delivery, but also subtly hilarious at times.

“I grew up in San Francisco.” Over and over again, Dale delivers this line in straightforward fashion, becoming a consistently amusing recurring joke.

That Cult Scene

“The Empty Man” is not without its flaws. At 137 minutes, it can feel indulgent, particularly in its slower middle stretch. Yet any pacing issues vanish before the final act, when one of the most chilling scenes unfolds.

The cult sequence stands as the film’s high point, with a fire burning bright against the night, inverted by the image of dozens of figures marching out of the darkness. A thunderstorm that causes strobe-like lightning amplifies the unease.

This moment exemplifies the film’s power. It doesn’t rely on grotesque visuals but instead on simplicity, atmosphere and dread. As James mutters afterward, “What the f— was that?” it perfectly sums up the audience’s reaction.

From there, the film twists toward a bizarre, over-explained finale. While it may stumble in how much it reveals, the ending remains entertaining and open-ended. It leaves the film’s questions unresolved, allowing “The Empty Man” to linger long after the credits.

What Should Have Been

“The Empty Man” should have been a horror breakout. Instead, it became one of the most overlooked releases in recent memory.

Its lore, visuals and creative ambition set it apart, making it a unique entry in the genre. While it may not be a flawless masterpiece, it’s the kind of bold, imaginative filmmaking that deserves to be celebrated. 

Hidden gems emerge every year, but “The Empty Man” is one that truly got away. Seek it out, and you’ll likely find yourself haunted by it.