What's Up Chuck?: The Latest In The Ways Of Chucky

Article by Anthony Cleveland

There’s not one Child’s Play movie I don’t like. I actually enjoyed the shift the series made with Bride of Chucky and beyond. To me these films were the right amount of cheese for a possessed killer doll movie. I was on board to try another film from that style of direction and tone. Cult of Chucky premiered on Netflix earlier this month. I wanted to jump in after hearing some great praise for this film. But, I realized I missed Curse of Chucky.

The best way I can describe watching Curse of Chucky....picture yourself going into a Taco Bell in a town you’re not familiar with. You expect the restaurant to look a little different inside than the Taco Bell in your town, but you know you’re still getting the same quality menu items. But, when you walk in you’re in a grand ball room and they’re serving lobster tacos instead. That is the best way I can sum up Curse of Chucky.

There is a shift to a more grounded haunted house style story revolving around a wheelchair bound female lead, played by Fiona Dourif, Brad (Chucky) Dourif’s daughter. This film makes choices that you wouldn’t expect in a slasher film and uses misdirection to keep the audience’s attention. 

Fiona’s character adds a lot of weight to the story and her disability makes her more vulnerable to Chucky’s attacks— Resulting into many tense scenes. She does a great job with the role, and it’s always great to see a the next generation return to the genre, much like Lon Chaney & Junior, or Dario & Asia Argento.

After Curse ended (even on a jump scare low note) I immediately jumped into Cult of Chucky. 

With this film...it's like you returned to that ballroom Taco Bell expecting the same experience, only to realize they closed the bar and downgraded the menu to include old Taco Bell items. It's still better than an average Taco Bell...but still you feel like you’d rather eat somewhere else instead.

This film begins on a bizarre note with Andy from the first three films. He’s struggling to have a normal life and is still dealing with his Chucky issues. And...that’s about it. He makes an appearance at the end of the film to “save the day,” but nothing comes of it, making his appearance nothing more than fan service or build up to a sequel. 

Cult’s choice to include fan service is far from it’s major weakness. The setting is also largely an issue. As the first film was a creepy house story, this film is an asylum story. We’re stuck in the asylum the entire film and it treads the themes of paranoia and delusion, which works but grows tiresome and played out as the film progresses. 

**Small spoilers**

• The film finally reveals there are multiple Chuckies, which we can all deduce on our own without an explanation. I think this is largely one of the major issues with the film and strays far from the original where it was extremely difficult for Chucky to transfer his soul. Now he only has to say a sentence or two and, boom, you’re a Chucky now. 
• I felt like this film was more focused on setting up the next film that it doesn’t take care of much in this film. If it had a bit more attention and cut out the forcing past characters into the film and slowly expanded the goofy multiple possessions this film would have worked better.
• While the first film was a direct to video release, but felt like it could have a good chance in a limited cinema run, Cult of Chucky belongs on streaming services. 

Rating: Curse of Chucky 4 ballroom Taco Bell lobsters tacos outta 5
Rating: Cult of Chucky 2.5 sub-par ballroom Taco Bell tacos outta 5.

What'd you think? Did you enjoy Cult of Chucky? Was Curse of Chucky one of the best in the series? We want to know. Share your thoughts and feelings in the comments section below, and as always, remember to viddy well!