Director Lars Klevberg
Genre Horror
Cast Aubrey Plaza, Brian Tyree Henry, Gabriel Bateman, David Lewis
Rating R
Release Date June 21st, 2019
“A mother gives her 13-year-old son a toy doll for his birthday, unaware of its more sinister nature.”
From director Lars Klevberg, best known for his creepy horror short films, Child’s Play tells the story of a mother who gives her son a toy doll for his birthday, unaware of its more sinister nature. Originally making its debut in 1988, we are all very familiar with the Child’s Play franchise and the potty-mouthed doll known as Chucky (or at least we should be). On the surface this is a very different film for the franchise so hopefully it works out because we can’t have another horror dud, especially not a remake/re-imagining of an iconic franchise.
As I was exiting the theater the couple in front of me were discussing the movie and I overheard one of them say “yeah I mean the kills were really cool, but to me that just wasn’t Child’s Play”. First off let me just say I soon realized they were walking home in the pouring rain so an obvious number of poor life decisions may take away from their credibility. But they do have a point. The 2019 version of Child’s Play is very different for a number of reasons, but what holds the most weight is the simple fact that the crux of the Chucky origin story was completely changed. But I am okay with that. I mean sure overall I prefer the possessed by a serial killer vibe, I mean who wouldn’t?! But this is the Chucky of the future, the doll that is in full control of the very thing that runs all of our lives every single day - technology. If I were you I would practice saying “Alexa, please don’t let Chucky murder me”. Better safe than sorry.
Overall I was genuinely pleased with the new Child’s Play. It was fresh and unafraid to take a few chances, and the acting was generally very good. Most importantly it is horror film that navigates between horror and comedy really well. The film appealed to my twisted sense of humor and had me laughing out loud more than a few times, and I really liked the overall creativity and old school slasher movie feel of the kills. Even though it brings Chucky into the future, it still blends elements of old school horror dating all the way back to the mid 70’s with an epic tribute to The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
At the end of the day this is a horror movie, but is it scary? I mean not really unless you are a little bi*** (and many of you are, just admit it). No offense of course. But seriously, were the original films actually scary? I mean sure, as a kid my older brother used to chase me around the video store with the case for Child’s Play on VHS in his hand and I would be crying hysterically for my parents, but I probably wet the bed at that time too. In my opinion this new version of Child’s Play is a lot of fun and well worth a trip to the theater for any horror fan, and I honestly hope it does well enough to deliver a sequel. Recommended.
