6 things to know in Austin food right now: Whiskey distillery launches floating bar at "secret" lake locale

News You Can Eat

Photo by Megan Bucknall on Unsplash

Editor’s note: We get it. It can be difficult to keep up with the fast pace of Austin’s restaurant and bar scene. We have you covered with our regular roundup of essential food news.

Openings

Getting to the bar just got harder — but way more fun. Fierce Whiskers Distillery is literally launching a new pop-up called the Stubborn Bar, floating off the shores of Town Lake. The location is a secret, but not one too closely kept; Join the mailing list to receive updates and sign up to snag a spot. The bar operates June 3-4, June 17-18, and June 24-25. Visitors' hard work will be rewarded with a chance to taste the new two-year Texas Straight Rye, which the distillery says was very hard to make, and "the first pour should go to those who are just as determined." They're also celebrating the new release on land with a performance by Neil Frances and Thebrosfresh on June 10. Tickets ($30-120) available on Eventbrite.

Carve American Grille (stylized CARVE) has been working on its second location for more than a year, and the date has been moved one last time — hopefully. Instead of opening on June 8, it'll be June 12. It's taking up residence at The Grove (2613 Perseverance Dr.), a mixed-use community covering 75 acres. Carve, sister restaurant to Perry's Steakhouse, is well-known for its creative twists on a classic steakhouse menu, which can often border on austere. So, postpone your visit, but keep Carve on your list.

Other news and notes

Even after Memorial Day, we're all ready for a Fri-yay celebration, and thankfully this week brings another day of observance: National Donut Day. The Salty is ready with a limited-edition mini French toast donut, available only on June 2. This creative donut is made with a 24-hour brioche base, filled with a "homemade French toast filling," and topped with maple treats and mascarpone whipped cream. The shop is also celebrating with a 25 percent merch discount and free delivery to Salty Rewards Members using the app or website.

For those who just can't get enough rosé at brunch, there's the Rosé Dinner at Lost Draw Cellars. On June 3, the winery will open up its new space for a rosé tasting featuring its four new releases, all from 2022. These sips will be paired with a live fire dinner of beef and chicken from Hill Country Beef and Cielito Lindo Farm, respectively, and fresh vegetables from Hat & Heart Farm. Tickets ($85) are available at williamchriswines.com.

Austin wouldn't be Austin without the endless markets, and two more are popping up on June 4. One at Bar Toti gives an excuse to visit the chic space behind one of the city's most talked-about restaurants, Este. This Mercado del Girasol celebrates the Este Garden's third anniversary, with goods by local artisans and creatives, drinks, DJ sets, and more. Three raffles benefit Casa Marianella, which supports displaced immigrants in Austin, and visitors can pick sunflowers and try signature cocktails by Bar Toti. The other establishes a new weekly event at the Hill Country Galleria: the Bee Cave Farmers Market. In addition to the usual farmers' fare (from 40 vendors), these markets will offer live music performances, starting aptly with The Hens.

Starting this week — "as soon as I buy the buttermilk," according to the chef — Radio Coffee & Beer's food truck, Shortwave Diner, will be offering monthly specials centered on fried chicken and burgers. The pending special is a sweet and very crispy tarragon chicken with maple syrup, and the rest is a mystery. The breakfast truck stands at the ready at the popular work site for freelancers and remote workers, serving daily chicken and waffles, smash burgers, and more. Follow Shortwave on Instagram to see when the new series launches.

Photo courtesy of Yamas

Upscale Greek restaurant brings coastal cooking to a stunning interior in West Austin

All Greek to Me

Austin and Greece don't have tons in common, but that's why husband and wife team Hristos and Roxie Nikolakos wanted to bring a slice of the islands over with them. Yamas (stylized YAMAS) brings the "Aegean blue" to the Lone Star State (5308 Balcones Dr.) this June 23, carrying with it traditional Greek cooking and an upscale coastal interior.

Hristos Nikolakos is chasing a big dream: He wants to "own the only authentic Greek restaurant that [is] up to par with the food from back home." Since this venture came out of hosting at home, it sounds like he has a shot. Although Austin does have more homey Greek restaurants than glittering modern eateries in our downtown acropolis, there is certainly a gap in upscale Greek food after the sudden disappearance of Simi Estiatorio, whose owner allegedly skipped town.

Ingredients come first in this plan, either locally sourced or imported from the homeland. The menu promises a "culinary journey across Greece's diverse regions," all prepared with traditional techniques by Chef Dimitrios Kelesoglou. The third-generation chef previously headed culinary efforts at Nisi, the Mediterranean restaurant at the Hilton Long Island in Huntington, New York.

Diners will enjoy this meticulousness in a variety of distinctly Greek dishes, like fried feta with sesame, honey, and walnuts; a grilled octopus salad with lentils, tomatoes, scallions, and dill; and several meat dishes featuring lamb, cod, and lobster. These things paired with orzo, horta, and lemon sound light and refreshing, although the full menu has not been finalized yet. Pair them with wines from Greece and America, plus beer and craft cocktails. Be sure to say "Yamas" — cheers in Greek — before sipping.

Even if the food turns out to be excellent, visitors will likely remember the space first. Like any great Greek restaurant, Yamas is almost entirely white with cerulean accents, and made unique from surrounding buildings with its wall niches housing Greek art and artefacts. Everything was designed by the couple and executed by Greek TX, Hristos' building company.

The cozy bench seating encircling the dining space gives it the air of a beach resort, even though the West-Central neighborhood is decidedly landlocked. Murals by Cabo-based artist Aurora Covarrubias include a giant octopus and Medusa, bringing a living Greek spirit to the space, which could otherwise appear museum-like.

"At Yamas, we aim to transport our guests to the coasts of Greece through rich flavors, warm hospitality, and cherished traditions," said Roxie Nikolakos in a press release. "We want to create an inviting space where everyone feels like family and can forge lasting connections over Greek cuisine that is so close to our hearts and heritage.”

Yamas is starting operation with limited hours from 4 pm to midnight every day of the week. Soon it will expand to brunch service on the weekends, and lunch service from 11 am to 3 pm. A soft launch on June 10 invites a limited number of guests for a preview during the two weeks before the official public opening. Call 512-243-7499 to reserve.

More information about Yamas is available at yamasatx.com. The restaurant is hiring "front and back of house professionals" with career days on May 30 and 31, from noon to 5 pm. Apply in-person at Yamas for an interview "on the spot."

Photo courtesy of Yamas

Yamas opens in West-Central Austin on June 23.

Photo courtesy of MUTTS Canine Cantina® Austin

11 things to know in Austin food right now: Combo bar, grill, and dog park is off-leash soon

News You Can Eat

Editor’s note: We get it. It can be difficult to keep up with the fast pace of Austin’s restaurant and bar scene. We have you covered with our regular roundup of essential food news.

Openings

Austin is a great place to live if you like to bring your dog to lunch, but our furry friends are sometimes still more tolerated than invited. Things are different at MUTTS Canine Cantina. The dog park, bar, and grill franchise expands into Austin at 9825 N. Lake Creek Pkwy. in mid-June. Anyone can sit down for a meal or a drink — common outdoor grill selections like burgers, chicken tenders, and margaritas — but only members have access to the 1.6-acre dog park. There dogs enjoy a splash pad and being off-leash, while humans benefit from fire pits, bottle service, and staff to clean up after the dogs and make sure they're playing nice.

Freebirds World Burrito has been working through a huge expansion since 2021 and hasn't showed any signs of stopping. The newest location, opening May 30, will be in Kyle's Dry River District at 19220 IH 35 Frontage Rd., Suite 100. Although it's a little far from Austin, this halfway point to San Antonio means road trips will be a breeze. The counter service restaurant aims to get food to customers quickly without sacrificing "natural" ingredients. As usual, the first 25 guests in line for the opening day party (starting at 10:30 am) will receive a free burrito every week for a year.

Other news and notes

In the past few weeks, Austin restaurants have been in a flurry of new menus and leaders. TenTen, a sushi restaurant on West 6th announced new plant-based options with star ingredients like beet, eggplant, and asparagus. Geraldine's, at Hotel Van Zandt, is debuting a new menu that sticks to its Texas roots with strong Latin and Asian influences. It also announced a new guest chef series. The Roosevelt Room, one of Austin's top cocktail bars, welcomes Kyle Mulligan as its new executive chef, and shows off a new menu with small and large plates, plus desserts. Punch Bowl Social celebrates a new menu, while Z'Tejas introduces a new chef and directors, and The Carillon sips on a new wine program.

There's a new tequila coming out of Austin that can be enjoyed in 39 states in-store and online. Although La Caza, the company, is based in Austin, the tequila — in the three expected varieties of blanco, reposado, and añejo — is made in Jalisco by fifth-generation farmers. This spirit can't get much fancier after it is played Mozart during the distillation process and poured into hand-blown glass bottles. Guess you'll have to see if you can taste the difference.

The downside, if there is one, of Antonelli's Cheese Shop being so wildly popular is that the tasting events are often sold out. One on May 25 at The Driskill hotel still has plenty of spots left — for now. The guided tasting will introduce 75 guests to seven cheeses from around the world, all "responsibly sourced" according to the shop. They will be paired with charcuterie, pickles, chocolate, and wine, for two hours of interesting, varied bites from 7-9 pm. Reserve ($100) on Tock.

Gin Bar, a downtown cocktail bar featuring one spirit in particular, wants to get Austinites more acquainted with that juniper-based drink. It is kicking off a free gin education and tasting series starting on June 1 at 7 pm. Sipsmith Gin will join in to help celebrate National Olive Day. The rooftop gin bar on 6th Street is quietly tucked away, but features weekly events with neighbor restaurants, like Industry Night and a "Next Door B.O.G.O.," plus a daily happy hour. RSVP via Eventbrite.

Photo courtesy of Daiboku

6 things to know in Austin food right now: Renowned ramen spot launches omakase spin-off

News You Can Eat

Editor’s note: We get it. It can be difficult to keep up with the fast pace of Austin’s restaurant and bar scene. We have you covered with our regular roundup of essential food news.

Openings

Sazan Ramen, one of Austin's newer and most coveted ramen spots, is expanding its footprint (noodle print?) with a new venture, also serving ramen. The main distinction is that Daiboku offers an "omakase experience" — basically, a guest can ask the chef or server to decide what dish they'll receive. It sounds like not knowing what you want is the perfect way to approach this 10-seat ramen counter, although it does have some casual options. This is also one of the most accessible omakase menus in the city, offering five courses for only $39. Daiboku is located at 609 West 29th St. Book at daibokuramen.com.

Other news and notes

As evidenced by several annual events around Austin and beyond, there are few better fundraising opportunities than selling some really great wines. In fact, the Texas Wine Auction beat its goal for the year at its second annual event at the end of April, raising $245,134. These funds will go to Texas A&M Agrilife extension and wellness programs that provide support for the Texas wine industry at large while supporting hospitality workers in the area. Chef Austin Simmons of TRIS won the inaugural chef competition with an oak-smoked "Big Rib" with kimchi stylings.

The Austin Chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier is one of the most active culinary supporters in the area, and has just announced new scholarships for 20 women chefs, beverage directors, students, and more. Some of the winners of more than $50,000 total represent Austin institutions including Birdie's, Antonelli’s Cheese, the Steeping Room, and Pinthouse Pizza. Awarded grants include the opportunity to take a four-day bread-making class in France, a trip to Sri Lanka to meet tea growers, and more worldly endeavors. A full list of 2023 recipients is available at ldeiaustin.org.

Lenoir has been around for more than a decade now, giving it plenty of time to get to know the community. A new Third Thursday dinner series aims to support some of those local nonprofits, sending 5 percent of the selected night's sales to each beneficiary. Upcoming recipients include the Trail Conservancy, the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAAM), Latinitas, and more. The next dinner is May 18, followed by another on June 15. See the scheduled dinners and book at lenoirrestaurant.com.

Peoples Rx, the historic pharmacy on North Lamar Boulevard, is showing this May 21 that it really is about the people, with a free community barbecue. The cookout will feature lots of local products like organic chicken by Greener Pastures, gluten-free bakes by Dream Bakery, Siete chips, and Peoples' own kale salad and gluten-free treats. Kosmic Kombucha or Cielo water will be keeping visitors hydrated, while some Peoples specialists add gut health supplements. Stop by between noon and 3 pm, until supplies run out.

Pitmaster Aaron Franklin's famous Hot Luck festival takes place next weekend, May 25-28. Tickets, in a variety of tiers and locations, are still available, and some of the events are free. The combination food and music festival features dishes by Austin's top chefs by day, followed by nighttime shows by its top musical talent, for a massive cookout that spans several venues. There's way too much slated to list here — for a lineup and ticketing options, visit hotluckfest.com.

Photo courtesy of Birdie's

Austin's top restaurant, chef, bar, and more revealed at 2023 Tastemaker Awards

Toast the Tastemakers

It’s that time of year again, when we take stock of our best hometown restaurants and industry players at the CultureMap Tastemaker Awards.

As always, we started with a group of editorial staff and past winners, our judges, and selected our favorite restaurants, chefs, beverage pros, and more. The resulting nominations all reflect the amazing accomplishments in the Austin culinary scene since our 2022 Tastemaker Awards. We looked to Austinites to choose their favorite new restaurant in a bracket-style competition, and selected the rest via a vote among the industry judges. Now, it’s time to let everyone in on the results.

On May 11, we gathered with foodies of all persuasions for the 2023 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards at Fair Market. Guests got to try bites by nominees they’ve never visited before as well as old favorites, sipped cocktails, and watched a live burger competition before the ceremony. Then, Alamo Drafthouse founder and local restaurant supporter Tim League returned to reprise his role as emcee, revealing this year’s winners.

Join us in raising a toast to the 2023 CultureMap Austin Tastemaker Awards winners. Meet them below.

Restaurant of the Year: Birdie’s
After the cultural comeuppance of molecular gastronomy — its coffin nailed long before The Menu made it multiplex farce — nothing seems as current as a baguette smeared with washed-rind cheese. In post-pandemic Austin, the success of Birdie's casual model helped the entire culinary scene to reset. Why fuss with establishing restaurants as fiefdoms with chefs as their plundering lords? There's nothing more aspirational than serving orecchiette dressed in Parmesan, breadcrumbs, and dandelion greens.

Chef of the Year: Amanda Turner, Olamaie
If there's a list of chefs — participants in a food festival or a fundraiser, honorees in an award ceremony — Amanda Turner's name is on it. In fact, before she made this list, she made the class of Rising Star Chefs in 2019 (with Juniper) and in 2022, winning both and proving some awesome foresight from those judges. As chef de cuisine at Restaurant of the Year nominee Olamaie, she somehow finds time while helping to define Southern cuisine — from the complicated position of a Black woman chef, she sometimes points out — to be one of the most public-facing chefs in Austin. About a year and a half into this new position, she's clearly hit her stride, and showing no signs of stopping.

Rising Star Chef of the Year: Joaquin Ceballos, Este
Joaquin Ceballos has always been international, and it's his "love for multicultural environments" that he says sets him apart. Born in Laredo, Texas, and raised across the border in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, he now represents the latter country at Este, the upscale seafood restaurant in East Austin. If he'd never left, however, he'd never had a chance to return to those roots, so thank Parisian bistro Racines NY for holding on to him in between.

Pastry Chef of the Year: Mariela Camacho, Comadre Panadería
A first-generation American and daughter of Mexican immigrants, Mariela Camacho creates high-quality bread and pastries inspired by her experience growing up Xicana in America. Comadre Panadería started as a pop-up in Seattle in 2017 before moving back to Camacho’s home state of Texas, where she recently expanded into a space next to Nixta Taqueria.

Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year: Nixta Taqueria
Owners Edgar Rico and Sara Mardanbigi bootstrapped this East Austin taqueria to James Beard acclaim, and one gets the sense that they take nothing for granted. Building on early triumphs like the sensuous duck carnitas taco, the joint keeps expanding its scope to antojitos like Yucatan Sikil P'aak and endearingly tasty goofs like the Space Glizzy crispy dog.

Bar of the Year: Nickel City
When this East Austin bar arrived, Capital City nightlife was under the thrall of mustachioed mixologists. The Nickel City team took the piss out with a frozen Irish coffee in a Styrofoam cup. It's not that the cocktails here require a less exacting palate (a current selection employs shiitake mushrooms and seaweed), it just turns out that barcraft with a sense of humor is a hell of a lot more fun.

Bartender of the Year: Erin Ashford, Olamaie
Erin Ashford spent seven years as bar manager, wine buyer, and assistant general manager at Restaurant of the Year nominee and former winner Olamaie. With all that practice, she's moved on to become the co-owner of brand-new cocktail bar Holiday with Rising Star nominee Peter Klein. It's a different venue but with Erin, it still feels like the same party — her favorite part of the job.

Wine Program of the Year: Bufalina
This acclaimed pizza joint has always put as much work into its wine list as its Neapolitan pies. In the early days, it miraculously squeezed 400 bottles into its tiny former East Austin space. These days, it brings wine to the masses through its monthly wine club, whose members get special discounts, pizza pairings, and witty tasting notes from wine director Rania Zayyat.

Brewery of the Year: Lazarus Brewing Co.
Owned by a Presbyterian pastor, the two locations of Lazarus wink to Christianity throughout with apocalyptic stained-glass installations and beer names like Walks on Water. Secular Austin still can't get enough of the boozy, most European brews — including rarer styles like Kellerbier and Belgian Dubbel.

Best New Restaurant:
Maie Day
Helmed by Olamaie founder and executive chef Michael Fojtasek, Maie Day took over for Central Standard at South Congress Hotel last May. With playful takes on a classic steakhouse menu, highlights include ribeye, a butcher’s steak, and a plethora of hearty sides.

Best Burger: Dai Due
Best to clear your afternoon before diving into the Dai Due burger, which is sure to induce a nice REM cycle with its double patty, ground with Dai Due bacon. Multiple James Beard Award winner chef Jesse Griffiths remains a pioneer in the farm-to-table movement, sourcing ingredients from Texas and primarily in the Austin region — and the burger is no exception. A sesame cemita bun sandwiches Stryk cheddar cheese, house-made dill pickles and onions, and the whole heavenly ensemble comes with a side of french fries and unbelievable beet ketchup.

Photo courtesy of Birdie's

Birdie's is 2023's Restaurant of the Year.

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Hannah J. Frías, Brianna Caleri, and Brandon Watson contributed to this article.

Photo courtesy of Via 313

5 things to know in Austin food right now: Deep dish pizza fave takes a slice of Bee Cave

News You Can Eat

Editor’s note: We get it. It can be difficult to keep up with the fast pace of Austin’s restaurant and bar scene. We have you covered with our regular roundup of essential food news.

Openings

One of Austin's favorite pizza places, Via 313, is opening a new location in Bee Cave (3944 S. FM 620 Rd.) on May 15. The Detroit-style deep-dish makers now have 14 locations, 10 of which are in Texas. The opening day celebration includes a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a partnership with Cerebral Palsy Awareness Transition Hope (CPATH), which will receive a quarter of the day's sales. The restaurant has several active job listings, including an hourly wage for servers in addition to tips. Hours only appear in the business' Google sidebar.

Wu Chow, a downtown Chinese restaurant known for its soup dumplings, is expanding from its high-traffic location on West 5th Street to something more accessible to the northern masses: the former site of Rosedale Kitchen and Bar (3800 N Lamar Boulevard). This is the first full expansion from the original location, although Little Wu serves up dumplings to-go at Fareground. The location opens on May 19, with a lunch service starting on June 19, and dim sum on July 8. The dinner service this month will be open Monday through Saturday, from 4:30-10 pm.

Austin drive-through heroP. Terry’s has now hit a milestone number of locations: 30. The newest is in Cedar Park (851 W. Whitestone Blvd.), across from Stiles Switch BBQ. Like the other locations, this one will serve breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night eats, from 7 am to 11 pm, Monday through Thursday, until midnight on Fridays; 8 am to midnight on Saturdays, and until 11 pm on Sundays. The classic menu offers burgers, veggie burgers, fries, chicken patties, cage free eggs, and scratch-made sweet bakes.

Other news and notes

Austin sees its fair share of food festivals and competitions, but the American Lamb Jam is kicking it up a notch with a multi-city contest. The American Lamb Board hosts this event series to promote family-owned lamb producers in the U.S., calling on chefs from Austin, Boston, Denver, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington, D.C., to create a signature sharable lamb plate or appetizer to be served at their home restaurants. Austin participants hail from El Naranjo, Interstellar BBQ, KG BBQ, Lenoir and more. Diners can vote for the best dish at americanlamb.com.

Forget the spelling bee — Bee School at Waterloo Greenway will teach one group of kids everything they need to know. French perfume maker Guerlain is launching a "Guerlain Bee School" at the park in partnership with its bee conservation program. (Remember the photos of Angelina Jolie with bees?) A group of pre-selected local second-graders will attend a beekeeping class on May 12, tour the pollinator garden, taste honey, and more. Then the program will be integrated into a current photography exhibition at the Greenway, "Seeing Bees". Adults with FOMO can look into classes at Round Rock Honey, which is helping to host the private event.

Sushi|Bar ATX, one of Austin's most upscale omakase experiences, always books up fast. This series will be no different, but might light a fire under some sushi lovers who have been meaning to splurge on a visit. The new chef series, "The Second Room" (a play on the restaurant's single-room dining), has its inaugural dinner on June 8 and 9. Two Michelin-starred chef Paul Liebrandt, previously chef-partner of NYC restaurants Corton and The Elm, will join Sushi|Bar ATX executive chef Ambrely Ouimette for a 20-item menu ($495 per person), contributing 10 dishes each. Find out more and reserve on Tock.

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Here's why Austin gets to celebrate Pride in both June and August

Austin Pride

The month of June is internationally recognized as Pride Month, and cities across the world are hosting parades and festivals to celebrate their LGBTQ+ communities.

Most cities celebrate Pride in June to honor activists who were part of the Stonewall Riots in New York City in June of 1969. Those riots were a tipping point in the gay rights movement.

But Austin's Pride celebration isn’t until August. There's no official reason for this, but according to KUT, it may be simply because Austin doesn't have to compete with other cities for festival-goers and volunteers.

August is also typically drier than June in Austin, so rain is less of a concern and rain insurance is more affordable for festival organizers.

With college students making up a large percentage of participants and volunteers helping to pull off Pride, August is also a better time than June because many students who left for the summer have returned.

This year's Pride parade and festival are scheduled for August 12.

Read the full story and watch the video at KVUE.com.

Gow Media powers up new site to report on Houston's energy transition news

go time

Texas's newest media platform has officially gone live.

EnergyCapitalHTX.com, originally announced in March, is now up and running. Houston-based Gow Media, a multi-platform media company and the parent company of InnovationMap, CultureMap, SportsMap, and ESPN Radio 97.5FM and 92.5FM, launched the site tonight at an event at Gow Media's office.

“We are excited to roll out our new outlet, EnergyCapitalHTX.com. We have been very impressed by Houston’s efforts to lead the global transition of energy and to address the 'dual challenge' of meeting the world’s growing demand for energy while at the same time reducing carbon emissions,” says David Gow, CEO of Gow Media.

“On our new site, we plan to provide informative, unbiased coverage of the Houston-based initiatives, spanning big corporations and startups," he continues. "We hope that a site dedicated to the transition will bring visibility to the city’s substantive progress and to the path forward.”

The site will cover Houston's energy transition ecosystem — the people, companies, capital sources, and numerous initiatives in Houston. Lindsey Ferrell serves as the inaugural editor of the site.

The site’s inaugural sponsor is HETI, which launched in 2021. Led by Executive Director Jane Stricker, HETI was founded to drive economic growth in the Houston area within the energy transition toward a lower carbon future.

“We are excited to support Gow Media with the launch EnergyCapitalHTX.com,” Stricker says in an earlier news release. "There is so much innovative and exciting activity in our ecosystem. Houston is the Energy Capital of the World, and this platform will amplify the energy leadership that is already happening here.”

Creepy new horror film will make you believe in The Boogeyman

Movie Review

On the surface, calling a horror movie The Boogeyman seems trite and lazy. A generic term for any scary and mysterious being, it has long been used in all kinds of storytelling. But when you see that the film is based on a Stephen King short story and written by the team behind A Quiet Place, more attention must be paid.

After a supremely creepy and disturbing opening scene, the film introduces its main characters: Will Harper (Chris Messina), a therapist, and his two daughters, Sadie (Sophie Thatcher) and Sawyer (Vivien Lyra Blair). The three are grieving the recent death of their wife/mother, with each coping in different ways. Will is now distant, Sadie sees her own therapist while still lashing out, and Sawyer must sleep with many lights on.

A visit to Will by Lester Billings (David Dastmalchian), a very disturbed man, seems to invite in a creature that thrives in darkness. That creature slowly tortures the two daughters psychologically, starting with Sawyer before moving on to Sadie. With Will checked out in general and Sawyer unable to help much due to her age, it’s up to Sadie to figure out what is happening and how to make it stop.

Directed by Rob Savage and written by Scott Beck, Bryan Woods, and Mark Heyman, the film takes the less-is-more approach, keeping the monster hidden in the shadows for much of the film. Scary things hiding in the dark is a tried-and-true method of horror films, but it works especially well here, chiefly because that terror is often seen through the eyes of the youngest daughter, Sawyer.

Putting kids 10 or younger in peril is not what most horror films typically do, but the effect of doing so is palpable, especially if you’re a parent. The opening scene sets the tone, and every scene involving Sawyer is as tense as you can get. Most of them involve her keeping a wary eye on her closet door or using a light-up model of the moon to expose dark corners, and her feelings of fear transfer easily to the audience.

The stories of Sadie and Will are a little harder to suss out. Sadie gets the most screentime, with awkward conversations with friends and investigations into the creature deemed the most important plot points. What the family was like before mom’s death is not explored much, so it’s difficult to understand Will’s state of mind, with him seeming to almost completely abandon his kids in their time of need.

Thatcher, who plays a character with a similar demeanor on Showtime’s Yellowjackets, does well in the de facto lead role, although the part is more low-key than your usual horror protagonist. Blair, who played a young Princess Leia on the Disney+ show Obi-Wan Kenobi, steals the movie every time she’s on screen; few kids her age could come close to what she accomplishes. Messina is a steady presence, but his character’s personality does him no favors.

By combining familiar elements, a story about a broken family, and some slow burn scares, The Boogeyman rises above its pedestrian title. It maintains its level of dread almost from beginning to end, a lesson that other horror filmmakers would be wise to learn.

Photo by Patti Perret

Sophie Thatcher in The Boogeyman.

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The Boogeyman opens in theaters on June 2.

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