If the thriller “Daniel Isn’t Real” were a recipe, it would call for unappealing ingredients — psychiatric stereotypes, jumpy editing, a mopey protagonist — simmered together until they crackle, pop and blister. What starts as a mediocre psychological thriller finishes as a surprisingly toothsome and creative horror film, complete with creature features and journeys into the abyss.

This movie follows lonely Luke from childhood, beginning when his father abandons his volatile mother, Claire (Mary Stuart Masterson).

Luke takes it as a blessing when he meets a new friend, Daniel, and though Claire can’t see Daniel, she indulges her son. That is, until Daniel persuades Luke to poison her. Luke confesses, and mother and son together banish this maybe imaginary, certainly demonic friend. Years later, Luke (Miles Robbins) has grown into a healthy, if depressive young man, and Daniel (Patrick Schwarzenegger) reappears as an adult.