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Stuart Gordon’s (Re-Animator, From Beyond) “Dolls” is an underrated gem amongst horror fans and one I hadn’t seen until now.
A family consisting of a bitchy stepmother, a whiny-ass dad, and their sweet little girl get stranded at a creepy old mansion in the English countryside during a storm. A couple of young rocker girls and the man who picked them up in the storm are stranded here on the same night. The mansion is home to an unassuming older couple, toy and doll makers by trade.
After everyone goes to bed, the rocker girls get a little grabby, sneaking out to rob the place. This is where we find out that the dolls have a secret: They come to life and function as the home’s protectors, doling out justice to anyone of weak moral character. This is part of what sets “Dolls” apart from its contemporaries. The Dolls are not indiscriminate killers; they have a moral compass and are only interested in harming those who deserve it in some way. This attempted theft prompts the dolls to protect their home and punish our shitty guests in a manner gruesome enough to make even Chucky blush.
The practical effects take over here, and they are excellent. The effects are the work of special effects wizard John Carl Buechler, known for films like ‘Cellar Dweller‘ and ‘Trolls.’ He creates a world of animatronic puppets and life-like dolls that come to life and wreak havoc on our guests.
The father and stepmother are miserable bastards, and it’s easy to get behind their demise. The little girl’s imagination in this fairytale world makes everyone believe she is making it up, especially after the opening sequence. The scene with the giant teddy bear is fantastic.
It’s often compared to “Puppet Master,” but this is a little more whimsical, in my opinion. Although it feels more light-hearted, it still has an air of brutality.
Fun fact: The writer Ed Naha worked with Gordon and Yuzna on several other features, the most commercially successful of which was the family sci-fi comedy “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids,” for which the trio wrote the screenplay.
This film is a captivating dark fairy tale, blending playfulness with blood and gore to delight horror-comedy fans. Its tight storytelling sets it apart, making it superior to many of its contemporaries. Personally, I’d choose it over ‘Puppet Master’ or ‘Child’s Play’ any day due to its depth and storytelling.
