Next up for the October 31 Movies-a-thon, is Booger. If you read my last post, you might remember that I scrolled through the offerings on a couple of streaming services looking for horror movies that I hadn’t heard of before that were directed by women. Now, that’s not super sustainable because I’ve heard of A LOT of horror movies (brag). So, this might be my last entry into this particular series. But we’re here now and I’m guessing you’re at least mildly interested in what I have to say about Booger. So… Let’s get into it, shall we?
Anna’s best friend/roommate is dead. Before she has any time to process the tragedy, she’s bitten by the stray cat that claimed their apartment as his own. It’s not quite their pet but they take care of it. (i’m guessing cat people will understand that arrangement. sounds like it’s common) Booger then runs off, sending Anna on a days-long quest to find him and bring him back. As time goes by though, the bite seems to be getting worse and Anna seems to be becoming something other than human.
This is body horror through and through. Anna’s changes are alarming to say the least. They’re gross and gruesome and confusing. And her situation ramps up the anxiety for the audience because we know that if her physical changes don’t completely fuck her up, then her bottled up emotions will sooner or later. In fact, the story of Anna’s transformation is a metaphor for just that – bottling up intense emotions. Grief can change us. Make us make bad decisions. Make us lash out. Make us seem like we’re no longer ourselves. Anna experiences all of this even as people around her offer support. She feels isolated. She feels like nobody could possibly understand what she is going through. And she’s right to some extent. We can share grief with loved ones but every individual’s heartache is their own. Instead of recognizing the overlap, Anna alienates herself from those around her. It makes for a harrowing experience for the viewer. Anna seems like a decent person. She loved her friend. There are people who love her. But she’s blowing her own life up with the walls she’s built around herself. The film has all the trappings of a tragedy. Will Anna self-destruct and succumb to the changes she’s going through? Or will she open up to her feelings and start the mending process? We want to know. We need to know. So we root for her even when she acts like an asshole. That’s effective storytelling! Is Booger perfect? No. There is some uneven acting and some clunky composition. But those are forgivable for this intensely emotional hidden gem.
The Final Cut: Booger is a scrappy indie body horror that expertly uses metaphor to portray grief.
No Real Danger 