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Cast: Tom Downey, Trinity Simpson, Bret Green, Elise Muller, Melinda deKay, Robert R. Rye
DOLLS concerns a struggling children's book author and his rebellious teenage daughter who move into a house they've inherited and find mysterious dolls in the attic. They soon learn that the dolls have a sinister -- and deadly -- past.
'Dolls' tells the story of Robert Holbrook, who moves into his parent’s house after his mother dies in an unusual way. Robert writes children books and has been struggling as of late due to his wife's infidelity and his heavy drinking. Robert hopes to get back on track after moving into his mom's place but things get more complicated when his 17-year-old daughter shows up. She too is struggling and has not been taking her psych drugs.
Things start to get crazier when three dolls that Robert found in the attic start moving around the house and they keep finding them in different places. But things turn deadly after a neighbor shows up and tells them the dolls are possessed by evil demons.
We are introduced to the dolls right from the start when they are stalking an unknown man at the beginning of the film. He runs into the bathroom and then takes his own life. Don't worry you will find out about the man and who he was a little later in the film. In fact that is one of the good things about the film, it doesn't reveal all its secrets too early so it keeps you guessing and wanting to know more.
For a good part of the story you are not sure if the dolls are really possessed or if Robert and his daughter are just hearing and seeing things in their fragile state. It isn't until the end when the story comes full circle that we get all the answers we are looking for. A lot of you out there might remember another little film called, 'Dolls' from back in 1987. That film was directed by, Stuart Gordon. Of course this is another evil doll film with the same name. It seems like a bold choice but don't worry this film as an entertaining one as well.
It has to be difficult to create a film about killer dolls on such a low budget but Director, Cuyle Carvin makes the most of not only his limited budget but also his limited setting. You are not going to see dolls running all over the house but you are going to see them showing up in places they shouldn't be and hearing them run around the house as well. This is Cuyle Carvin's first feature film behind the camera and he did a great job creating atmosphere and mystery. Rather then creating a blood fest he has made a film that gets in your head and under your skin and it stays the entire time.
I must not forget to also give credit to Justin Hawkins and Josh Hawkins for writing the screenplay with help from, Jeff Miller (OUIJA HOUSE, THE TOYBOX.)Another thing that made the film so good was its cast, Thomas Downey is excellent as Robert, I remember Thomas from his work with "The Asylum." He was in a number of their films and was always very good in those as well. Trinity Simpson is also very good in the film as Robert's daughter, Sammey. This is Trinity's acting debut and I have to say I was very impressed and I look forward to seeing a lot more of her going forward. The film also stars the legend herself, Dee Wallace, She not only brings star power to the film but even with her limited screen time she is very important to the story and it is great to see her in another film again.
The first thing I noticed about the film was how well it looked and how good the production values were even with its limited budget. And then once the story got going it sucked me in and kept me interested the entire time. There have been a number of films about killer dolls but this one stands on its own. It is a slow-moving horror film with a lot of family drama tossed in but it is also terrifying and suspenseful as well.
'Dolls' will be released on DVD and VOD in the U.S. on July 2. If you like a killer doll movie with a story that can back it then I highly recommend checking out this little gem. I think this is going to do well on home video due to strong word of mouth.
Released by Uncork'd Entertainment
*** 3/4 Out Of *****