Living With Chucky (2022)

DIRECTOR: KYRA GARDNER DISTRIBUTOR: LIGHTBULB FILM DISTRIBUTION

Killer dolls are all the rage at present when it comes to the horror genre. Take Annabelle, who has been scaring viewers for ten years over multiple films, or M3gan, who has gone viral on the internet and is having a moment.

Before any of those creepy toys, there was the original plastic psychopath, and the first of his kind - a little red-haired, foul-mouthed demon called Chucky. Star of the Child’s Play franchise, Chucky has appeared in countless sequels and even his own TV series over the last thirty years. The character has become a memorable and influential horror icon in his own right.

From filmmaker Kyra Gardner, LIVING WITH CHUCKY is a reflective and intimate documentary that looks at the lasting legacy of the Child’s Play franchise and its antagonist. Travelling chronologically through each franchise entry, the documentary features in-depth interviews with crew members like writer Don Mancini, stars including Brad Dourif, and other horror actors such as Lin Shaye. Through different perspectives, Gardner not only explores the enduring success of Chucky, but the wider appeal and impact of the horror genre.

Die hard fans - as well as those who aren’t so familiar - will be thrilled to hear behind-the-scenes secrets, personal stories and fun on-set anecdotes from filmmakers, actors and journalists alike. Garder has assembled an impressive line-up of interviewees who discuss a number of topics, including the original script getting into hands of the producer, the declining budget but increased dedication with each sequel, and Chucky’s appeal to our buried darker nature.

The documentary offers a fascinating look at the practical effects used to bring Chucky to life, and their effectiveness against using CGI. With dispelling behind-the-scenes footage and insight from head puppeteer Tony Gardner, audiences will have a newfound appreciation for the craft on display. Mancini also addresses the tonal shift from scary to camp in the later Child’s Play films, the openly gay writer and creator pointing out that it was one of the first major franchises to embrace queer representation.

While the focus remains on Child’s Play and Chucky, there’s also discussion around the horror genre’s popularity, and why audiences connect to it so much. Even though it sometimes strays away from the core subject, the discourse ultimately informs what makes Chucky so frightening and effective.

What’s most surprising and memorable is the reveal that comes around halfway through the documentary. Our director, Kyra Gardner, is in fact the daughter of lead puppeteer Tony Gardner. While it’s a fun surprise, it also makes complete sense. From the very beginning, you can feel the care and love for this franchise and its characters, and having Gardner at the helm elevates this to more than just a run of the mill retrospective. What initially appears as a standard documentary becomes something much more intimate, as the audience learns that the cast and crew are all people Gardner grew up with. She has observed these artists and filmmakers becoming a family over the years, and it’s something you feel deeply.

There is no mention of the almost forgotten 2019 remake of the original Child’s Play. While it feels like its inclusion may have completed the picture, none of the original players were involved in its making or release, so its absence is understandable. While plenty of ground is covered, there is little to no discussion around Chucky’s influence on modern horror films and other killer dolls, which would have made a nice addition to round out the conversation around legacy.

LIVING WITH CHUCKY is an informative and entertaining look into one of cinema’s most horrific figures, and the subject matter flourishes in the right hands. It’s surprisingly wholesome and touching, as it dedicates itself not only to those who brought Child’s Play to the screen, but the horror community who has embraced Chucky and other monsters like him.

Available on all major Digital platforms, including Apple iTunes / Google Play in UK & Ireland on April 24th, and in Australia & New Zealand, from April 26th.