The Puppetman – Film Review

The Puppetman from director Brandon Christensen makes an effort to decipher the convoluted story of a convicted murderer and his alleged possession by an evil force, but it wastes the chance and ultimately falls victim to clichés and a confusing plot. A frustrating and unimpressive viewing experience results from the film’s inability to fully realize its potential, despite the fact that the premise has promise.

In The Puppetman, Alyson Gorske plays Michal, who starts to doubt her father’s claims of possession as those around her suffer horrifying deaths. The main idea of the film—breaking a curse—could have been a novel approach to the horror genre, but it isn’t done well. Its inability to create a steady tone is one of its biggest flaws. It makes an effort to be a psychological thriller at times, delving into Michal’s mind as she battles her father’s sinister legacy. However, it frequently veers into the realm of the typical slasher, relying on gratuitous bloodshed and jump scares to arouse terror, ultimately weakening the impact of the story.

The Puppetman features a variety of performances. Michal is played admirably by Alyson Gorske, who successfully conveys her character’s fear and desperation. Unfortunately, the supporting cast doesn’t make an impression that sticks. Caryn Richman, Anna Telfer, Jayson Therrien, and Zachary Le Vey‘s portrayals of the characters leave them feeling flat and simplistic. The emotional stakes of the story are lowered as a result of the audience’s difficulty empathizing with the characters’ plight due to the lack of character development.

The film’s direction, from Brandon Christensen, features some striking visuals, particularly in the portrayal of the horrifying deaths. These highlights, though, are overshadowed by the narrative’s disjointedness. The action scenes alternate between fast-moving, perplexing sequences and slow-burning tension. Although the cinematography is occasionally stunning, it is marred by erratic lighting and awkward framing, which lessens the impact of the visuals as a whole.

The script, which Christensen co-wrote with Ryan Christensen and Matt Manjourides, is predictable and relies too heavily on stock horror tropes. The dialogue frequently comes off as forced and unnatural, failing to forge a true bond between the characters. The film’s potential for genuine psychological terror is undermined by an overreliance on shock value, which hinders the attempts at psychological horror. The story’s attempt to delve into the concepts of inherited evil and redemption comes across as superficial and lacks the substance necessary to connect with the audience in a meaningful way.

Despite its flaws, The Puppetman occasionally creates suspenseful moments in part because of its atmospheric soundtrack. The eerie score heightens the tension in certain scenes, adding to the film’s tense moments. The audience, however, longs for a more regular and immersive horror experience because these instances of strong tension are few and far between.

The Puppetman struggles to transcend the limitations of the horror genre, giving in to cliches and a confusing plot. Despite Alyson Gorske’s powerful performance as the tortured Michal, the film’s weak supporting cast and formulaic plot limit its potential. The Puppetman could have been a terrifying investigation of the darkness within with a more skillfully crafted script and laser-focused direction, but it sinks into the abyss of forgettable horror movies and fails to leave a lasting impression on its audience.