Cult of Chucky
Cult of Chucky | |
---|---|
![]() Promotional poster | |
Directed by | Don Mancini |
Written by | Don Mancini |
Based on | Characters by Don Mancini |
Produced by | |
Starring | |
Cinematography | Michael Marshall |
Edited by | Randy Bricker |
Music by | Joseph LoDuca |
Production company | |
Distributed by | Universal Pictures Home Entertainment |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 91 minutes[1] |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Box office | $2.3 million |
Cult of Chucky is a 2017 American supernatural horror slasher film written and directed by Don Mancini. The seventh installment of the Child's Play franchise, following the 2013 film Curse of Chucky, it stars Fiona Dourif, Alex Vincent, Michael Therriault, Adam Hurtig, Elisabeth Rosen, Grace Lynn Kung, Marina Stephenson Kerr, Zak Santiago, Jennifer Tilly, Brad Dourif, and Christine Elise. Cult of Chucky began production in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada in January 2017. It premiered at the London FrightFest Film Festival on August 24, 2017. As with the previous film, it released direct-to-video by Universal Pictures Home Entertainment via Blu-ray, DVD and VOD on October 3, 2017.[2]
The film received generally positive reviews from critics and, as of October 2017, grossed over $2 million from DVD and Blu-ray sales.[3]
Plot[]
In 2017, Andy Barclay has been torturing the disembodied head of Chucky for four years. Meanwhile, wheelchair-bound Nica Pierce has been in a mental institution after being framed by Chucky for the murders of her family. Nica now believes she was responsible for the murders and that Chucky was a manifestation of her psychosis. Dr. Foley, Nica's doctor, has her transferred to a medium-security psychiatric hospital.
In group therapy, Nica meets Malcolm, a man with multiple-identity disorder; Angela, a woman who believes she is dead; Claire, a woman who burned her house down; and Madeleine, a patient who smothered her infant son. Foley introduces a therapy technique involving a Good Guy doll. Most of the patients are unsettled except for Madeleine, who treats it as her baby. Nica is visited by Tiffany Valentine, the legal guardian of her niece Alice, and is devastated to learn that Alice has died. Tiffany leaves Nica a Good Guy doll, which she claims was a gift from Alice. That night, Chucky awakens and discovers Nica has slit her wrists. The next morning, Nica finds that her wrists have been stitched up and that Angela has been killed. After realizing "Valentine" was the last name of Chucky's girlfriend, Nica realizes Chucky is real. Fearing Madeleine is in danger, Nica has Malcolm warn her. Madeleine throws both the doll and Malcolm into an empty grave, but they are rescued by orderlies. Malcolm begins to refer to himself as "Charles" and act in a manner similar to Chucky, making Nica suspect he has been possessed. Chucky then kills Claire by decapitating her.
Andy learns about the murders and realizes Chucky has somehow managed to transfer his soul into multiple bodies at once. In a private session with Foley, Nica agrees to be hypnotized in order to access any repressed memories about the murders. Foley, who has been sexually abusing Nica, is hit from behind by Chucky. Foley believes Nica is the one who assaulted him but is willing to keep quiet in order to blackmail her for more sexual favors. Madeleine smothers her Good Guy doll with a pillow, forcing her to confront the repercussions of her real child's death. Orderlies bury the doll in order to placate Madeleine. Andy commits himself into the institution by assaulting a security guard. Carlos, a nurse, delivers a package to Foley-- another Good Guy doll with short, shaved hair. Madeleine is visited by her own doll and allows it to kill her.
Foley attempts to assault Nica again but is knocked out by one of the Chucky dolls. Two dolls are now alive due to Madeline's doll splitting its soul inside of Foley's doll. One of the dolls awakens the short-haired doll. The Chuckys reveal that the original Chucky found a voodoo spell which allowed him to separate his soul into multiple host bodies, creating a "cult." Alice was one host, but she was killed. The dolls then kill Carlos. Tiffany returns and kills a security guard outside. Foley's Chucky doll transfers his soul into Nica, giving her body the ability to walk again. She stomps on Foley's head, using high-heeled shoes that Foley had given Nica earlier, killing him. She stumbles upon Malcolm, who has killed fellow Nurse Ashley, before confessing that he knows he's not really Chucky... he merely created "Charles" as an alternative personality. He is suddenly ambushed and killed by Madeleine's Chucky. The short-haired Chucky attacks Andy, but Andy restrains him and reaches into the doll's chest, pulling out a hidden gun and revealing that he sent him to the institution. He shoots the doll and stomps its head, killing him. Nica appears and taunts him. Andy tries to shoot at her, only to discover that he has no ammunition left. Nica locks Andy inside his cell.
Madeleine's Chucky feigns lifelessness and Nica, possessed by Foley's Chucky, escapes. She reunites with Tiffany outside before driving off together with a Tiffany doll, also alive and sharing a portion of Tiffany's soul. In a post-credits scene, Andy's former foster sister Kyle enters Andy's house, having been sent to continue torturing the original Chucky's severed head.
Cast[]
- Fiona Dourif as Nica Pierce[4]
- Alex Vincent as Andy Barclay
- Brad Dourif as the voice of Chucky[4]
- Michael Therriault as Dr. Foley
- Adam Hurtig as "Multiple" Malcolm / Michael
- Elisabeth Rosen as Madeleine
- Grace Lynn Kung as Claire[5]
- Marina Stephenson Kerr as Angela
- Zak Santiago as Nurse Carlos
- Ali Tataryn as Nurse Ashley
- Jennifer Tilly as Tiffany[4]
- Summer Howell as Alice Pierce
- Christine Elise as Kyle
Production[]
Development[]
In December 2013, following the release of Curse of Chucky, Don Mancini confirmed that he was planning on developing a seventh installment in the Chucky franchise.[6] By February 2015, Mancini was in the process of writing the script for the film.[7] A year later, Mancini, Jennifer Tilly and Fiona Dourif confirmed that shooting would soon begin for the film.[8] In December 2016, the production office for the film was opened in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.[9] On January 5, 2017, the premise, cast, production schedule and distribution details for Cult of Chucky were revealed, with shooting set to commence four days later.[2] Tony Gardner returned as one of Chucky's puppeteers.
In an October 2013 interview, Mancini revealed that since Child's Play 3, he had always wanted to introduce the concept of "Multiple Chuckys" but was unable to do so due to budget constraints. He eventually used the concept in Cult of Chucky, 26 years later.[10] A reference to Glen/Glenda (a character from Seed of Chucky) was cut out of the film, although it was something that Mancini "definitely wanted to keep".[11]
Casting[]
On January 5, 2017, the principal cast for Cult of Chucky was announced, featuring Brad Dourif as Chucky, Fiona Dourif as Nica Pierce, Alex Vincent as Andy Barclay, Jennifer Tilly as Tiffany and Summer H. Howell as Alice.[4][12] Each of them was featured in previous films, with Brad Dourif in all of them, Vincent in Child's Play (1988) and Child's Play 2, Tilly in Bride of Chucky (1998) and Seed of Chucky, and Fiona Dourif and Howell in Curse of Chucky (2013). Cult of Chucky marks Vincent's first principal role in the franchise since he was a child actor, in Child's Play 2, twenty-seven years prior.[4] Although Andy appeared in Child's Play 3, he was played by a different actor, Justin Whalin, due to the events taking place eight years after the second film, which came out less than a year earlier. Alex Vincent also appeared as Andy during a post-credits scene in Curse of Chucky.
Filming[]
Principal photography for Cult of Chucky began in Winnipeg on January 9, 2017, with the cinematographer from Curse of Chucky, Michael Marshall, returning in the same capacity.[2] Tony Gardner returned to create and perform the Chucky character as he had done previously for Seed of Chucky and Curse of Chucky.[13] Filming ended on February 18, 2017.[14]
Release[]
Cult of Chucky was released on Blu-ray, DVD, and Netflix (in the USA) on October 3, 2017. It domestically grossed over $2.2 million during the first two weeks.[15][16]
Unlike the Blu-ray and DVD versions of the film, the Netflix version was not unrated.[17] The rated version is about a minute shorter than the unrated cut, and does not have a post-credits scene.[17]
Shortly before its release, the full film of Cult of Chucky was leaked on to YouTube, which led Don Mancini to tweet, "To the geniuses who leaked #cultofchucky & tweeted about it Congrats, not only are u terrible people, now Universal lawyers know who u r".[18]
Reception[]
On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 80% based on 25 reviews, and an average rating of 6.1/10.[19] On Metacritic, the film has an average score of 69 out of 100, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[20]
An early review posted on Bloody Disgusting was very favorable of the film. Benedict Seal stated: "Seventh films have no right to be this good or break this much new ground. Cult of Chucky takes this wild story in a whole host of new directions that franchise fans are sure to get a kick out of. There are so many batshit delights, especially as things escalate towards the finale, but to spoil them would be to ruin Mancini and co.'s grand carnival. Without a doubt, Child's Play is a horror franchise worth treasuring."[21] Stephen Dalton of The Hollywood Reporter also had mostly positive things to say about the film, writing, "the bratty quips and cheerfully nasty murders come thick and fast, with drillings and decapitations, high heels and compressed air canisters all part of their repertoire. Mancini's low-key shooting style also shifts up a gear with slow-motion split-screen action and deranged psycho-lesbian clinches, like Brian De Palma on an indie-movie budget. A lean 91 minutes long, Cult of Chucky is part self-spoofing slasher, part lowbrow bloodbath and all guilty pleasure."[22] Scott Mendelson of Forbes said, "Cult of Chucky is either the Final Chapter or a New Beginning. Either way, this most tenacious of horror franchises can walk on with its head held high."[23] William Bibbiani, writing for IGN, gave the film 7.4 out of 10, and specified, "Too many horror sequels feel like cheap and soulless cash-ins. Cult of Chucky has big ideas, strong performances and some moments that rank among the best in the series. The other classic slasher franchises may be failing, but lately, Chucky is making entertaining horror sequels look like child's play."[24]
Accolades[]
The film received a nomination for Best DVD or Blu-ray Release at the 44th Saturn Awards.[25][26]
Sequel[]
In February 2018, a Child's Play television series was announced to be in the works, with involvement from Mancini and producer David Kirschner, and is a continuation of the film's story arc. Mancini also stated that as well as the series, feature films will still continue.[27] The series, titled Chucky, premiered in October of 2021; features the return of several cast members, including Brad Dourif, Fiona Dourif, Alex Vincent, Christine Elise, and Jennifer Tilly.[28]
References[]
- ^ Barkan, Jonathan (June 30, 2017). "FrightFest 2017: Cult of Chucky's World Premiere Leads a Stellar List of Horror". Dread Central. Retrieved July 26, 2017.
- ^ a b c Collis, Clark (January 5, 2017). "Cult of Chucky: Horror sequel plot details, teaser video revealed". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
- ^ "Cult of Chucky (2017)". The Numbers. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
- ^ a b c d e Orange, B. Alan (January 5, 2017). "Cult of Chucky Trailer: The Killer Doll Is Back". MovieWeb. Retrieved January 8, 2017.
- ^ "Cult of Chucky recruits Grace Lynn Kung". Joblo.com. Retrieved October 28, 2017.
- ^ Miska, Brad (December 3, 2013). "BREAKING: Chucky Will Return In Seventh 'Child's Play'!". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
- ^ Barton, Steve (February 18, 2015). "New 'Child's Play' Still In the Works!". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
- ^ Gallagher, Brian (February 23, 2016). "'Chucky 7' Is Shooting Soon, Jennifer Tilly Will Return". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
- ^ Miska, Brad (February 23, 2016). "The 'Chucky 7' Production Office is Now Open!". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
- ^ Bibbiani, William. "The Chucky Files- Don Mancini on CHILD'S PLAY 3 (1991)". YouTube. Retrieved June 20, 2018.
- ^ Topel, Fred (September 29, 2017). "'Child's Play' Creator Don Mancini Talks 'Cult Of Chucky' And Chucky In The Age Of Annabelle [Interview]". /Film. Retrieved December 6, 2021.
- ^ Miska, Brad (January 5, 2017). "'Cult of Chucky': The Next 'Child's Play' Begins Filming on Monday! (Trailer)". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved January 8, 2017.
- ^ Smith, Jerry (October 4, 2017). "Interview: Tony Gardner Talks Cult of Chucky FX". ComingSoon.net. Retrieved October 4, 2017.
- ^ "Filming ends on Cult Of Chucky". Twitter. February 18, 2017. Retrieved October 4, 2017.
- ^ Schwartz, Terri (September 19, 2017). "Cult of Chucky Will Be Available to Stream on Netflix in October". IGN. Retrieved October 4, 2017.
- ^ "Cult of Chucky (2017)". The Numbers. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
- ^ a b Squires, John (October 3, 2017). "The Version of 'Cult of Chucky' on Netflix is NOT Unrated". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved October 4, 2017.
- ^ Dan Zinski (September 25, 2017). "Cult of Chucky Director Responds to Movie Being Leaked". Screen Rant. Retrieved January 9, 2020.
- ^ Cult of Chucky at Rotten Tomatoes
- ^ "Cult of Chucky". Metacritic.
- ^ Seal, Benedict (August 25, 2017). "[FrightFest Review] 'Cult of Chucky' Cements the Franchise as One of the Best!". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved October 4, 2017.
- ^ Dalton, Stephen (September 8, 2017). "'Cult of Chucky': Film Review - FrightFest 2017". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 4, 2017.
- ^ Mendelson, Scott (September 28, 2017). "'Cult Of Chucky' Review: It's The 'Fast Five' Of The 'Child's Play' Films". Forbes. Retrieved October 4, 2017.
- ^ Bibbiani, William (September 28, 2017). "Cult of Chucky Review". IGN. Retrieved October 4, 2017.
- ^ McNary, Dave (March 15, 2018). "'Black Panther,' 'Walking Dead' Rule Saturn Awards Nominations". Variety. Retrieved March 16, 2018.
- ^ Hammond, Pete (June 27, 2018). "'Black Panther' Tops 44th Saturn Awards With Five; 'Blade Runner 2049' , 'Shape Of Water', 'Get Out' Also Score". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 28, 2018.
- ^ "Child's Play TV series coming - Coming Soon". Coming soon.net. February 9, 2018. Retrieved February 9, 2018.
- ^ Scott, Ryan (April 6, 2021). "Chucky Teaser Arrives, Franchise Stars Alex Vincent & Christine Elise McCarthy return". Movieweb. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
External links[]
![]() |
Wikiquote has quotations related to: Cult of Chucky |
- 2017 films
- English-language films
- 2017 direct-to-video films
- 2017 horror films
- 2010s serial killer films
- American direct-to-video films
- American films
- American sequel films
- American slasher films
- Child's Play (franchise) films
- Direct-to-video horror films
- Direct-to-video sequel films
- Films about paraplegics or quadriplegics
- Films directed by Don Mancini
- Films shot in Winnipeg
- Films set in Alaska
- Films set in 2017
- Universal Pictures direct-to-video films
- Films set in psychiatric hospitals
- 2010s slasher films