Arrow Video, out now

A college student discovers that the imaginary friend he created to help get through his childhood trauma is back again, but this time he’s uninvited and far more destructive.

Full marks to co-writer and director Adam Egypt Mortimer (Some Kind of Hate) on his unsettling variation on the imaginary friend trope, as it keeps you on your feet right from the off, and doesn’t let go.

Luke Nightingale (Miles Robbins) is a law student who wants to be a photographer, and it’s this frustration that brings back Daniel (Patrick Schwarzenegger – son of Arnold), 12 years after he was banished. Daniel is everything that Luke isn’t, sitting as the devil on his shoulder and pushing him further, particularly with his relationships, which become more feral and violent.

The greater the influence that Daniel holds over him, the more the lines are blurred between reality and imagination, and we reach the point where we’re no longer sure if Daniel is imaginary any more. Luke stops being a reliable witness and physically merges with Daniel in one of the many spectacular effects sequences. Is this mental illness, a possession, the incarnation of an ancient spirit? We’re left to draw our own conclusions.

Arrow’s release includes a commentary by Adam Egypt Mortimer, a video essay by author Alexandra Heller-Nicholas, deleted scenes and an interesting alternate ending. There’s also an video interview with the director, FrightFest premiere introduction and Q&A and TV interviews, trailer and stills.

Verdict: What could easily have been another ho-hum addition to a well-ploughed horror sub-genre is elevated by above-average performances, stylish direction, unexpected visual effects and twists in the story. Maybe not the ideal Valentine’s date night movie. 8/10

Nick Joy

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