By Michael Andrillon | Staff Writer
Dolls, love ’em or hate ’em, they’re the best kind of uncanny to me. Cracked porcelain, and the beady, unblinking eyes. Familiar but somewhat cursed, which gets at the vibes of Dolly, which handles its creepiness pretty well.
As if the poster didn’t already prepare you for the kind of horror film this will be, the premise doesn’t waste much time either. A young couple, Macy and Chase, decide to take a hike together in the woods but their romantic getaway is interrupted when they waltz into a scene like that real life Island of Dead Dolls from Mexico City (seriously look it up, nightmare fuel). And just like that, viscera and bones are rearranged, and SHE has everyone in her grip.
With some cringe inducing violence that harkons as much to the torture cinema and video nasties of past decades as it does to the slasher. Its 80’s aesthetic adds a whimsical style to the lush forest and colorfully decorated interiors. The foundation of a story and its psychosexual underpinnings lend some room for some thematic touches on the notion of infantilization.
Dolly cradles Macy in “Dolly” | Photo via Shudder
I found myself also reminded of the vibes of a Puppet Combo game (if you know you know), and you’ll no doubt see the disassembled parts of other retro filtered works like Terrifier and so forth. It wears these loose appendages openly whilst doing its own thing.
Fabianne Therese and Seann William Scott perform admirably as the victimized couple. Along with professional wrestler Max the Impaler, who had some interesting shoes to fill, but does so well, and even gets to put their unique talents to use.
If you aren’t already sold on these retro horror throwbacks, then this most likely won’t change your tune, with some funky line delivering here and there, and slight pacing issues.
However, if you’re all for masked maniacs, a bloody good time with friends, and final girl energy, then you’re all set to get lost in her doll house of horrors.
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