Cucuy: The Boogeyman (2018) – A Creepy, Culturally Rooted Creature Feature
Cucuy: The Boogeyman, directed and written by Peter Sullivan for Syfy's Halloween programming, brings to screen the chilling Mexican legend of El Cucuy—a nightmarish, child-snatching boogeyman—and adapts it into a family-targeted horror thriller that balances folklore with emotional family drama .
Set in the small, sleepy town of Glimmer Peak, the story begins when a series of mysterious child disappearances rattles the community. Sheriff Diaz (Brian Krause, Charmed) finds himself at a loss as no clues or connections emerge. The tension intensifies through the perspective of Sofia (Jearnest Corchado), the sheriff’s rebellious teenage niece, who is confined to house arrest following a troubled past. Alongside her younger hearing-impaired sister Amelia (Bella Stine), Sofia spends her time spying on neighbors during the night, eager to uncover who—or what—is behind the vanishings
Sofia initially suspects Boyd (Jack Erdie), the strange new neighbor. But as she digs deeper—often dragged into the dark forest—the pieces don’t fit, and she's forced to consider a more supernatural culprit: the Cucuy itself. Her obsession grows when danger unexpectedly strikes close to home, pushing her towards a direct confrontation with the creature in its ominous cave. The heart of the narrative: a bold, young heroine ready to face literal fears to save her family
Director Peter Sullivan drew on Latin American folklore to craft the Cucuy’s appearance and presence. The creature features glowing red eyes, oversized gaping jaws, hooved-like features, and Aztec-inspired carvings on its skull. Sullivan even filmed in a deserted Pomona, California site to maximize eeriness and grounded atmosphere—a decision that emphasized authenticity and tension
The drama between Sofia and Amelia forms the emotional core of the film. Sullivan—who is also hearing-impaired—imbued Amelia’s character with authenticity and empathy. Critics and audience observers noted this relationship as a standout element that elevated the film beyond just jump scares
While the film aims for a broad family audience, it doesn’t skimp on scares. A review on Letterboxd praised its balance between “creepy and frightening,” and appreciated the film’s deliberate pacing and narrative focus
Yet opinions vary—the creature design drew criticism for appearing rubbery or plastic to older viewers
rottentomatoes.com
, and many noted the plot bore similarities to teen thrillers like Disturbia
On Rotten Tomatoes, Cucuy holds a middling 45% audience score, reflecting a polarizing reception
Some viewers appreciated the film’s sincere folklore roots, familial stakes, and Syfy’s effort to blend cultural myth with accessible terror. Others found the creature’s CGI underwhelming or the script too conventional.
In summary, Cucuy: The Boogeyman offers an effective, if modest, reimagining of a Latin American horror legend. Its strengths lie in cultural authenticity, an atmospheric visual setting, and a courageous young lead. While it may lack the polish of big-screen horror, it stands as a respectful and earnest entry in the creature-feature genre, particularly during the Halloween season—a promising foundation should the filmmakers choose to revisit the darkness of Glimmer Peak in future installments.
