PopHorror Let's Get Scared
It’s already been five years since the release of William Brent Bell’s 2016 film, The Boy, which hit theaters on January 22, 2016. To celebrate Brahms turning five, we have compiled a fun list of facts that you may not know about the film.
The Boy follows Greta (Lauren Cohan The Walking Dead TV series) she accepts the job of a nanny for a wealthy couple’s child and is disturbed when she finds out that the child is actually a doll. However, when she mishandles the toy, she starts to wonder if it is, in fact, alive. The film also stars Rupert Evans (Hellboy 2004) and Ben Robson (Vikings TV series).
Ten Fun Facts
1) Cast members actually used the doll, Brahms, to prank each other on the set. On one occasion, one of the cast members propped the doll up outside of the other actor’s bathroom in their trailer to scare them. Upon seeing this, they hurled the doll outside of their trailer and the crew had to repair it and make a replacement doll.
2) The film was originally titled In a Dark Place and had Evil Dead’s Jane Levy in the lead role.
3) In Spain, The Boy was released directly on VOD and DVD, but it was previously screened in two theaters with a limited release in Barcelona for two days with subtitles, and there was a premiere in Madrid for one day in a dubbed version.
4) The main plot is the same in the short film, Familia Colateral (2007). In both films, a babysitter accepts taking care of a toy to get paid, and strange things begin to happen.
5) Lauren Cohan plays an American nanny traveling to the United Kingdom for her job as a babysitter in the film. Ironically, while Cohan is an American born citizen, she has an English accent since she spent her adolescence in England. She hides her accent in this film.
6) Upon pausing at a certain time, one can read the full text of the Heelshire’s letter to Brahms:
“Our Dearest Son, words cannot describe our heartbreak as we leave you now. We will not be back. We simply cannot bear to live with what we have allowed you to become. The girl is yours now. She is yours to love and care for. May God forgive us all. Love always, Mummy and Daddy.”
7) Lauren Cohan signed on to star in the lead role of the film on January 23, 2015, which by then had been retitled The Boy.
8) On February 25, 2015, STX Entertainment acquired the U.S. rights to the film and set it for a February 5, 2016, release. However, in March 2015, the film was moved up to a January 22, 2016, release.
*Spoilers*
9) When Greta reads to Brahms, the extract is from Jane Eyre where, like Brahms, Mr. Rochester’s insane wife is confined to the attic.
10) When Mr. Heelshire gives Greta a tour of the property, he tells her they do not use the fireplace anymore for safety reasons. This is probably more to do with the fact that burning fires in fire places could ruin the adult Brahms’ living space and quick access around the house.
Now, go watch The Boy before Brahms gets upset.
