Doc of Chucky Review: Success and Struggles of Mancini’s Killer Doll

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There’s little doubt that Charles Lee Ray, akaChucky, has left an indelible mark on horror culture. One of the few 1980s slashers to still dot the horror landscape in 2024, the killer doll has a multi-media empire worth exploring. Coming to Shudder on November 1,Doc of Chuckyprovides some big stories from those who made the movies. Director Thommy Hutson — the writer ofCrystal Lake MemoriesandNever Sleep Again— gives the Don Mancini films the full-scale treatment he gave the previous entries of his pseudo-trilogy. With over five hours of footage,Doc of Chuckyproves as expansive as ever.

Lots of Chucky dolls haunt the crew of Doc of Chucky.

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Doc of ChuckyPlot Summary

Given the continued appearance of Chucky, it’s reasonable to argue he’s still a living-breathing horror icon. Hutson starts with Don Mancini and his early ideas creating the character. The firstChild’s Playmovie became an instant hit and spawned a pair of sequels. AfterChild’s Play3disappointed, there was a small gap in the franchise as Mancini developed a new direction outside of the Andy storyline.The series took on a new life with the addition ofJennifer TillyinBride of Chucky. With Mancini jumping behind the camera, the franchise has become a unique insight into a single creator’s vision.

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Exploring Mancini’s Chucky

With seven films in the franchise, Hutson takes the audience through the history of the franchise one film at a time. It’s a similar approach to previous horror documentaries, and the result can be entertaining to explore. Along the way, we hear fun behind-the-scenes tales, some of which have been elevated to legendary status.

Perhaps the most insightful moments ofDoc of Chuckyrevolve around the fight between Mancini and director Tom Holland.Hutson wisely lets each speak their mind, and the audience can read the situation from both sides of the argument. Other minor tiffs and disagreements are explored, allowing Hutson to fight off any claims that he’s simply whitewashing the troubled events in the productions. If anything, Doc of Chucky is openly honest about the issues behind the cameras, allowing us to better understand Mancini’s world.

Jennifer Tilly is interviewed for Doc of Chucky

In addition to the talking heads from the actors and directors,Doc of Chuckyfeatures behind-the-camera talent explaining their techniques. It’s one of the more compelling cases for why the Chucky movies work, especially when we are informed that all the puppets were destroyed afterSeed of Chucky. It made the third “phase” of theChuckyfranchise even more impressive when the designers recreated the new puppets from reference photos. Ultimately, it’s showcasing the passion for artistic improvement that sells even a cynic on the importance of the franchise.

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Flaws in structure hold backDoc of Chucky.

While utilizing a narrator for the documentary makes sense on some level, how narration is used raises some questions. Hutson does not always bring out the narration consistently, making it feel like stitching across the Chuckster’s face. By only employing some scenes, it’s evident that the audio the filmmakers wanted was not present. This makes the narration stand out, especially because it is not from a core cast member. We understand that Dourif or Tilly may not have been available for this, but it’s hard to frame Chucky’s story with the voice of someone whose vocals do not fit the tone of these movies.

Additionally, the five-hour runtime inevitably leads to some sections stretching too long. The documentary wisely sets the table for a full hour on the first film, but afterward, there’s an inconsistency in how much time other movies get. Given the length ofDoc of Chucky, it is frustrating that there was no time for the show or 2019 reboot discussion. Consideringthe significant role each has played in discussions ofChild’s PlayandChuckyin recent years, it feelslike an instant gap inDoc of Chucky. While a sequel would be welcomed in the future, it does leave the audience wanting now.

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IsDoc of Chucky worth watching?

If you are aChuckyorChild’s Playfan, this is the deep dive you’ve always wanted. Almost the entire cast of each film returns, and while there are a few exceptions, the vast majority go on record. There’s a lot of fun to be had discussing this franchise, and doing it with consistent chime-ins from Mancini makesDoc of Chuckyan enjoyable experience.

Watch Doc of Chucky on Shudder and AMC+ starting August 11, 2025.

Alex Vincent in Doc of Chucky.