Does The Boogeyman Set Up A Sequel?

Contains spoilers for "The Boogeyman"

"The Boogeyman" is the latest horror adaptation from Stephen King, and it's largely successful in offering up plenty of frights to make viewers cower in their seats. There's ample tension and some great performances from the younger actors, who manage to sell the terror while offering a compelling story about grief. And assuming the film excels at the box office, it wouldn't be out of the question for talks of a sequel to emerge.

Plenty of Stephen King's works get sequels on the big screen. The most recent adaptation of "It" was a two-parter, while "Carrie" and "Children of the Corn" also received follow-ups to varying degrees of success. While "The Boogeyman" is based on a single short story, it wouldn't be out of the question for 20th Century Studios to pursue a sequel if the demand is there, and the film ends in a place where a sequel could theoretically pick up. 

There's no post-credits scene for "The Boogeyman," so anyone waiting after the credits roll will be disappointed. However, the ending suggests the monster is still out there.

"The Boogeyman" ends with the Harpers setting the titular monster on fire, burning their house down in the process. This seemingly kills the beast, and the family goes to therapy together afterward. However, Sadie (Sophie Thatcher) hears the therapist call her back into the room, only for her to find she isn't there and the closet door is ajar. We've seen the boogeyman mimic people's voices before, so it's clear what transpired. When the actual therapist enters the room, Sadie merely closes the door.

The implication is that the boogeyman is still out there, but seeing how it feeds on people's fears and sadness, Sadie closing the door could be seen as her deciding not to be torn up over her mother's death as much. She's taking control of her emotions and won't be subject to the boogeyman's reign of terror any longer. However, a sequel could theoretically pick up with a different family the boogeyman has decided to torment. The Harpers completed their character arcs, but it makes sense a little fire couldn't kill something as eternal as this monster.

Of course, this is assuming the movie earns sufficient money at the box office to warrant a sequel. But if fans respond to the film well, it's easy to see a scenario where 20th Century Studios continues exploring this world. "The Boogeyman" is playing in theaters now.