Slender Man was surprisingly decent, especially considering how clearly it's cashing in on the recently-declining, once-giant internet creepypasta phenomenon. It features horror alumni Joey King (The Conjuring, Wish Upon) and Annalise Basso (Oculus, Ouiji: Origin of Evil) and introduces Jaz Sinclair and Julia Telles to the genre, the latter turning in a great lead. I never would've guessed that she was 23; makeup and wardrobe did wonders helping her fit into a high school setting, as well as everyone else, for that matter. Joey King's characters have always ridden the fence between strong and annoying, but this was one of her best performances I've seen. Annalise Basso in particular has always been one of my favorite actresses, and here she delivers a more minor yet important role with ease. The story wasted almost no time ratcheting up the oppressive mood, starting as early as the third scene and not letting up for the rest of the movie. Aside from a few unintentionally silly moments, the camera work, audio, and transitional effects were mostly great, with one fantastic scene near the end reminding me strongly of the 1990 Tim Robbins movie Jacob's Ladder. Slender Man isn't the new Blair Witch, but it's likely to stick with you for a good while. Just remember: whenever you hike through the woods, keep your blindfold on.
Review of Slender Man
