Cult of Chucky (2017)

To get the most from the seventh film you'll need to have seen the previous six. In lieu of a full explanation, it's self-referential and reliant on knowledge of past characters/events. (It also references other 'horror' films in fun ways.)
It takes place inside an asylum for the criminally insane, so the usual 'nut-house' stereotypes are there, but they're put to good use. There's an ominous build-up and a steady pace, with enough teasing to keep us anticipating the next Chucky scene, and a wicked symmetry adds weight. But in attempting to fit a lot of series history into the plot, it may feel too much like fan-service at times. The final twenty minutes aren't as good as what came before and do feel somewhat unfinished. Once again, look out for a post-credit scene.

3 doll parts out of 5

Cellar Dweller (1988)

It really surprises me this underrated gem isn't more well known. Born from the mind of Chucky creator Don Mancini, it begins with a horror cartoonist (Jeffrey Combs) delving a little too deeply into the occult for inspiration. Summoning a monster from the pages of his comic Cellar Dweller he inadvertantly ends himself. An artist's work coming to life is a classic scenario. Problems with pacing are evident from the start. The prologue is done well but the following credit sequence, while fitting, slows the film down. Thirty years later a young artist (Debrah Mullowney) unknowingly resurrects the same beast from the pages of Cellar Dweller. The creature is well portrayed with a decent use of animatronics. But sadly the pacing fails once again as the suspense is lost in a lull towards the end.

3 homages to EC Comics out of 5

Curse of Chucky (2013)

Creator of Chucky, Don Mancini, takes the series back to its roots with fewer laughs and more horror in the sixth instalment. There's still humour but it's very, very dark. The problem with that approach is that the viewer responds by taking the film more seriously and it becomes harder to differentiate it from all the other horror sequels shat out every year.
The first half of the film is perfect in every way, Mancini's direction is flawless, the build up is superbly paced and the characters well-defined, but it seems to lose its impetus as it nears the ending. Brad Dourif's voice work makes the killer doll not just wicked but a vehemently evil, nasty piece of work; he really is brutal this time. There's also fine work from Brad's daughter Fiona. If she doesn't end up typecast, she could go on to great things.

3 bowls of roulette chilli out of 5

Seed of Chucky (2004)

The opening five minutes of the fifth Child's Play film are some of the most entertaining minutes I've spent with a horror movie in a very long time. After that it shifts perspective but remains entertaining for a different reason.
Both Brad Dourif and Jennifer Tilly return to their respective roles and they're still the best cast evil dolls in cinema history, imo. My respect for Tilly went from 'hadn't given it much thought,' up to 'near maximum'.
There's a small number of bloody kills, but like Child's Play 4 (1998) the focus is primarily on black comedy, so fans of one-dimensional slasher flicks may be disappointed. Instead, the self-deprecating laughs and stabs at horror cinema conventions are as sharp as Chucky's knife.

3½ delicate sensibilities out of 5