A Big Film For A Tiny Killer

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Very few franchises maintain the same level of quality as Don Mancini’s Chucky Universe. With seven films and three seasons of the best horror show on television (#SaveChucky), fans still want more time with the beloved killer doll. This is why after the recent and unforgivable cancellation of Chucky, Shudder’s new Doc Of Chucky is a balm during these depressing times.

Doc Of Chucky is the newest documentary dedicated to America’s favorite murderous little doll. It claims to be the ultimate account of the franchise. The film packs the most interviews I have ever seen collected for Charles Lee Ray’s deadly shenanigans. Where most people ask the creator and lead actors questions, this film pulls in production assistants, kids who only appeared in one movie, and producers. It also stands out because it includes Catherine Hicks, Chris Sarandon, and Tom Holland, none of whom has had any involvement since the original Child’s Play, which premiered in 1988. It was so cool to see them talk about their time in the franchise and tell their sides of the stories we’ve heard for years. 

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Director Thommy Hutson had a few hurdles to navigate with this documentary. Mancini has treated Child’s Play like a family affair since the moment he gained agency in the franchise. This extends beyond actors to the numerous people behind the camera. So, interviewing the usual suspects is already a huge undertaking for any filmmaker. Is it cool for nerds like me to hear from people we have not seen in the world forever? Absolutely. Do we love giving so many people who worked on sequels a moment to discuss their part in this beloved world? One hundred percent. However, the four-hour and fifty-five-minute runtime is not for the faint of heart. It took about an hour and a half to get through the first film. The chapter breaks are blessings because they give you a formal place to pause and stretch.

Due to the first film taking so much focus, some of the favorite sequels felt like they didn’t get enough attention. The Cult Of Chucky section specifically feels rushed, which is a crime because it’s so good. The runtime might also be part of the reason Doc Of Chucky doesn’t get into the Chucky series. That feels weird because most of the team was on hand for interviews already. It also feels like an odd place to stop in Chucky’s legacy at this point because Mancini and company made the show such a seamless extension of the movies.

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When I saw the run time, I assumed we would be getting into everything, so I was shocked to see it end with the final film. I loved seeing how everyone is comfortable poking fun at each other because they’ve worked together for decades. It is truly a family affair at this point. I appreciated hearing what went down between Mancini and Tom Holland. There is a lot to unpack here for aspiring screenwriters, so the transparency and frank discussion of their relationships to the final product has been one of my biggest burning questions.

However, I wonder what this film would have looked like had it been broken into a more formal docuseries. I also wonder if it would have been able to find the time to get into the TV series so it would feel less unfinished. Would it have been able to give the sequels a bit more attention?

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Doc Of Chucky also finds itself in the shadow of another recent Chucky documentary. Many wondered how it would differ from 2022’s Living With Chucky, where Kyra Gardner delved into Chucky’s chokehold on pop culture. Because Gardner’s dad is Tony Gardner, who’s worked on the franchise for decades, she had a personal connection and front-row seat to the world of Chucky. Most fans will understand the documentaries tell the same story from a different perspective and can appreciate the additions of people left out of the previous film. Although, it’s still difficult to hear the same information again as it is still fresh in our brains. We learn that Holland had questionable directing methods, we pick up a bit more trivia, and hear Mancini cite specific influences for each film. We also get more details about the original script, Batteries Not Included, which would eventually become Child’s Play.

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As a super fan, I lived my best life because I enjoy hearing how one of my favorite franchises has continued to only get better for almost forty years. It is also cool to hear these stories from people who lived it instead of getting random glimpses of half-truths from the internet. In many ways, Doc Of Chucky feels like the ultimate closure for everything Chucky was before he cut his way into primetime TV.

If you’re also in love with the people who keep your favorite murder doll going, this is a must-watch. If you’re just a casual fan, then mileage may vary. Either way, it’s very cool seeing people talk about the thing that has become such a huge part of their legacies in an open and honest manner. I highly recommend putting this on as you hop onto the #SaveChucky movement on your social media accounts.

Have you watched Doc Of Chucky? Was this also how you found out Dee Snider was part of the reason we got Curse of Chucky? Then let us be shooketh together at @misssharai.

Doc Of Chucky is streaming now on Shudder.

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