Meet Chauncey. He's not imaginary... and he's not your friend.
Following last night's motion poster, Blumhouse and Lionsgate (Five Nights at Freddy's, M3GAN) have released the first trailer for their latest "childhood nightmare" horror movie, Imaginary, which introduces us to a creepy little teddy bear named Chauncey.
The story focuses on Jessica (DeWanda Wise), who moves back into her childhood home with her family. When her youngest stepdaughter Alice (Pyper Braun) finds Jessica's old teddy bear in the basement, she forms a strong attachment to the stuffed toy, and when she begins speaking to it, the adults assume she's made an imaginary friend.
However, when Chauncey starts telling Alice to harm herself, it becomes clear that something much more sinister (possibly supernatural) is happening.
The concept of an evil imaginary friend has already been explored in multiple horror films over the years, and, honestly, this doesn't look like it's setting out to do anything new or interesting with the premise. Even the "imaginary friends are really evil entities who attach themselves to children" has been covered numerous times.
That said, this is a pretty effective teaser overall, and the movie is sure to find an audience.
Have a look at the trailer for Imaginary below, and let us know what you think in the comments section.
"From Blumhouse, the genre-defining masterminds behind FIVE NIGHTS AT FREDDY’S and M3GAN, comes an original horror that taps into the innocence of imaginary friends – and begs the question: Are they really figments of childhood imagination or is something more terrifying lying just beneath?
When Jessica (DeWanda Wise) moves back into her childhood home with her family, her youngest stepdaughter Alice (Pyper Braun) develops an eerie attachment to a stuffed bear named Chauncey she finds in the basement. Alice starts playing games with Chauncey that begin playful and become increasingly sinister.
As Alice’s behavior becomes more and more concerning, Jessica intervenes only to realize Chauncey is much more than the stuffed toy bear she believed him to be."
Imaginary was helmed by Jeff Wadlow, who also co-wrote the film with Greg Erb, and Jason Oremlandstars. Wadlow has previously directed 2018's horror title Truth or Dare. The cast also includes Tom Payne, Taegen Burns, Veronica Falcon, and Betty Buckley.
Imaginary is set to hit theaters next March.