'Archenemy' (2020) Movie Review

Superhero films are massive at the moment. You probably noticed that. They’re so ubiquitous they’ve even spawned a veritable cottage industry of dark, gritty indie takes on the genre. Not necessarily a new phenomenon—this has been going on for some time—films like Boy Wonder, Freaks, Chronicle, and others put their own spin on the material, viewing heroes through different lenses, approaching the topic from unusual perspectives. The latest entry into this fray is Archenemy from director Adam Egypt Mortimer (Daniel isn’t Real).

'Daniel Isn't Real' (2019) Movie Review

As a young boy, Luke Nightingale leaned on his imaginary friend, Daniel, to help him through a tough time. But when Daniel’s jealousy poked through, convincing Luke to poison his mother, it was time to for Luke to lock his pal away in recesses of his mind. At least until he needs him again later in life. Think Drop Dead Fred, only mean and way more psychedelic and you have a good start on what Adam Egypt Mortimer’s Daniel Isn’t Real is all about.

'Daniel Isn't Real' Trailer: Imaginary Friends Are Jerks

What if Drop Dead Fred but evil? That seems to be the general premise behind Adam Egypt Mortimer’s Daniel Isn’t Real. A troubled young man’s former imaginary friend returns to wreak havoc on his life, but in a much darker, more psychedelic way than in the 1991 Phoebe Cates comedy. (Though, to be fair, that movie is pretty damn weird.) Check out the latest trailer below.

This 'Daniel Isn't Real' Trailer Has A Terrifying Imaginary Friend

Adam Egypt Mortimer’s Daniel Isn’t Real is one of those movies we’ve been hearing about for what feels like forever, but that we keep missing. (It’s only been a few months in reality, but it feels much longer.) Fortunately, the film is getting a release, and this teaser trailer, while it doesn’t deliver much in the way of content or details, certainly looks nuts in a way I’m super into.