Cult of Chucky – Film Review
Don Mancini’s Cult of Chucky is the seventh entry in the long-running iconic Chucky film series, and also serves as the sequel to the 2013 film Curse of Chucky. In terms of the Chucky franchise, I never have been too big of a fan. I really enjoy the original 1988 film Child’s Play, and I also can find enjoyment in its sequel, 1990’s Child’s Play 2. Both of those films are absolutely ridiculous and over-the-top silly, but, they are undeniably fun to watch. After Child’s Play 2, however, I think the rest of the series feels completely uninspired and almost like the exact same film as the previous one.
Unfortunately, Cult of Chucky follows in those same cliché footsteps – an individual is minding their own business, having a normal day, when suddenly a package arrives at their doorstep. When they open it up, they find a doll made by the company Good Guys. Usually, the individual finds the doll to be cute, or they find it to be creepy. Many people around them are worried that the Chucky doll will cause harm to people, and that it is evil, whereas other people believe it is simply an innocent doll. It is all too familiar now.
There are some scenes that feel original, but, unfortunately those scenes only really appear in the film’s opening ten minutes. After that, the film becomes a tired and uninspired gory slasher film that serves literally no purpose, other than it being the seventh entry in a franchise that has an ending so ridiculous that it warrants yet another sequel after this one.
Brad Dourif as the voice of Chucky in Cult of Chucky (2017).
Just like previous installments in the franchise, Cult of Chucky has some truly awful dialogue. Characters say the most ridiculous, and cringe-worthy things and it is meant to make the viewer interested – but instead, it just makes them unintentionally laugh at the absurdity of what was just spoken.
Let’s be honest. The main reason the majority of people watch the Chucky film series is to see the Chucky doll go on his murderous rampage, killing innocent people. It has been that way ever since the aforementioned Child’s Play original film. Unfortunately, in Cult of Chucky, there is not a whole bunch of those scenes. But, when those scenes do occur, the entertainment value ranges from fun, to just boring and over-the-top. Since this is the seventh film in the series, this entry should have been the film to drastically change things up. I would have loved to see director Mancini try a new approach to the Chucky franchise – do something we have never seen before in the series. If that did not work out for one reason or another, the next film could have done yet another different approach.
Brad Dourif as the voice of Chucky in Cult of Chucky (2017).
This Chucky film does feel considerably more dark in atmosphere than the other films before it, and it was nice to see that. Also, the cinematography was great, shot by Michael Marshall.
Cult of Chucky is the seventh entry in the series, and unfortunately never tries anything new. It instead follows the same cliché formula of its previous outings, and its slasher scenes are limited and feels horribly uninspired. It is definitely entertaining to watch, but I’ll admit, this is getting a tad bit tiresome.
To watch my video review for Cult of Chucky, please click this link: https://youtu.be/b7RsRP5dr7E
Overall Grade: C+
MPAA Rating: R for strong horror violence, grisly images, language, brief sexuality and drug use
Cast: Fiona Dourif, Michael Therriault, Adam Hurtig, Alex Vincent
Directed by: Don Mancini
Distributed by: Universal Pictures Home Entertainment
Running Time: 91 minutes