If you had the opportunity to see Jax In Love, then Boo will feel like a natural progression for Rakefet Abergel. Abergel wrote and stars in Boo, and took up the directorial reins as well. Although Boo is certainly darker than Jax was, both have a similar tone and texture, and a sprinkling of quirky fun. While both have horror elements, and a definite place within the horror genre, they are both deserving of consideration outside of that yoke.
Boo is the story of one evening in the life of Devi. She has just received a 7 years sobriety chip. She's engaged. She's in a good place in her life. But this night is going to challenge all of that.
My favorite scene happens early, outside the just-ended support group meeting. Devi (Abergel), Ava (Parisa Fitz-Henley), and Grace (Laura Wiggins) are hanging out in the parking lot. The conversation feels natural and the scene is well-acted. The three women share their individual vulnerabilities and find strength in their collective resolve to not let their addiction continue to ruin their lives. Within this scene, Abergel presents us with the stigma of addiction, the temptation, the tenuous footing that sobriety stands on, and the hope that support works "if you work it."
The evening takes a turn for the worse for Devi shortly after that. A turn that threatens her sobriety, her safety, and her fiance (Josh Kelly). Boo, while focused on addiction, also touches on sexual assault, the comraderie of shared experience, and the power of the sense of smell.
Can we talk about editing for a moment? I don't know how to edit a film. I don't know the technical terms. But I have heard that if a movie is edited well, then you don't even notice. I disagree. Boo is deftly edited and I noticed. The story does not follow a linear timeline, but all the events happen in a single evening. Done poorly, and the audience would be confused early and lose interest long before the final twist. Done well, and the audience follows the story. But Editor, Ned Thorne, does such a good job that the blends between scenes become part of the journey.
Boo is currently playing at film festivals across the country and has already taken its share of awards and nominations, including nods for Best Short Screenplay, Best Actress, Best Dialogue, and Best Film. No doubt there will be more accolades in store for Boo as its festival run continues.
