I wonder - when an artist sets out to make a film or an album or television series, do they ever wonder about its lasting impact? Like when NWA wrote “Straight Outta Compton” did they ever consider its lasting impact on the larger genre of hip hop? Did they ever think along the way that Ice Cube would spawn a career in film and fashion simultaneously? Better yet, that Dr. Dre would go on to discover game changing artists like Eminem and also sell his Beats brand for 3 billion dollars? Did they ever consider their story would one day be told through the biopic genre in one of the best films we’ve seen this century? The same could be said about Beethoven, Queen, or The Beatles. Did they understand the weight of the art they were crafting?
Even moving into the world of film: did Orson Welles understand the legacy he was carving out for himself when he shot Citizen Kane? Did Francis Ford Copollla take into account the weight of The Godfather and its subsequent sequels? My answer would be no. While there are other genres which have embraced their landmark moments, perhaps none have experienced them quite the way horror has. Franchises like Halloween, Hellraiser, A Nightmare on Elm Street and Child’s Play all started out with a significant impact on the genre. Ironically enough, each first entry found their favor with mainstream critics. Chucky and Pinhead are certified fresh with low 70 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, while Michael and Freddy are viewed as nearly perfect.
Most of those franchises have moved away from commercial success and have found cult success, building film franchises and in some cases even empires. Did John Carpenter, Wes Craven, Clive Barker, or Don Mancini ever truly grasp the weight of their genius when they set out to make these movies? Even moving from the medium of film, some of these have transcended mediums into comics and video games. Good ol’ Chucky has not only survived multiple different genres but also straight to dvd. Unlike the other franchises named, Mancini has been at the center of them all; not only writing every entry but also directing the last three movies we have seen.
Mancini is back with the latest chapter of the Chucky saga. However, this time the story is told through the medium of television. The first season of Chucky follows Jake Wheeler (Zackary Arthur) who inherits a good guy doll from a flea market, only to have it end up being Chucky (Brad Dourif). As if things couldn’t get bad enough, Chucky spends the entirety of the series looking to train up an apprentice. The series also marks the return of Nica Pierce (Fiona Dourif), Tiffany (Jennifer Tilly), and Andy (Alex Vincent). Perhaps the most important thing to note about this series is how important it is to the lore of the series as whole. While we’ve gotten glimpses over the years of who Charles Lee Ray is, this series explores his backstory and ultimate transformation from serial killer to iconic doll. I both appreciated and hated these portions of flashbacks. It’s very bittersweet, in all honesty. I love that it's really the series creator coming back to tell these stories. They flow nicely and fill a lot of gaps fans of the franchise have experienced along the way.
My biggest issue with these portions of the show comes more from a technical standpoint. There is a portion where we meet the 80s version of Ray, only a few years prior to the events of the first film. Instead of allowing other actors to pay homage to this legendary horror couple, viewers are met with atrocious CGI segments that attempt to de-age the actors but still maintain the voices of Dourif and Tilly. It’s embarrassing in just about every way imaginable. Imagine that ending with young Luke Skywalker from season two of The Mandolarian. If you’re going to go back and tell these stories, allow the actors you hire to do their job. Doctor Sleep is the perfect example of balancing great acting and homage without the digital makeover.
Over the years, Chucky has existed in multiple different tones within the horror genre. If you look towards what laid the foundation you’d find a much darker, but traditional, take on the slasher genre. Later entries like Bride of Chucky and Seed of Chucky would interject comedy into the mix. For his first season, Chucky manages to encompass both. While the series is a larger return to form than anything else, it isn’t without its more Bride-esque moments. It’s a beautiful thing to see Chucky embrace every angle of the franchise, even going as far as the less desirable entries like Seed. That particular film has garnered a reputation for being a mess, though it did allow the franchise to explore some LGBTQIA themes.
In that vein, Chucky also follows suit. The arc of Arthur is not only a boy going through puberty but also understanding his sexuality. The first episode alone feels like a love letter to those within the LGBTQIA community who are still finding their identities, telling them that they’re not alone. Mancini, being an openly gay creator, is the perfect voice to bring this to life. I sometimes think the world wasn’t ready for Seed quite yet. The character arc of Jake allows for the series to establish an emotional core that is equally heartbreaking and heartwarming. His chemistry with Bjorgvin Arnarson is impeccable. It's an endearing quality of the show that feels rare to find in an otherwise brutal show.
The show’s brutality feels like a return to form for the franchise. As I’ve previously mentioned, tonally Chucky is an amalgamation of the other entries before it. However, this first season’s camera angles come back to the bedrock of Child’s Play before the big “Chucky” reveal. Brad Dourif in the role once again as the iconic killer doll is exquisite. His delivery of the character, even through voice over, brings an energy that Mark Hamill failed to bring to the 2019 reboot of the series. Dourif reminds us not why he was born to play the role but why he IS Chucky. There is no separation between the two. Likewise, this series also brings back both Tilly roles in a meta version of herself and as Chucky’s bride, Tiffany. Tilly, once again, matches the insanity of Dourif to carve out a memorable, yet sympathetic, version of the character. Perhaps one of the most interesting things we experience about her character is how the years of abuse have played on her own mental health.
Overall, Chucky: Season One, is a splendid companion to the Don Mancini canon of the character. Franchise regulars, Brad Dourif and Jennifer Tilly, spark energy that brings the characters into new territories both emotionally and violently. Dourif reminds us why this iconic character is his and his alone. The show’s young cast is a marvelous backdrop to the show as the emotional backbone, allowing the series to explore topics like grief, puberty, and sexuality. Chucky is one of the best shows 2021 has given us and is a must watch for hardcore lovers of the franchise - not to mention it gives something to new fans as well.
Rorschach Rating: 4 / 5
Mental Health Moment: I alluded to this earlier, but Tiffany’s arc could be one of the most important explored throughout the show. Jennifer Tilly made her debut as the character all the way back in 1998 with Bride of Chucky. She has played the role ever since but not the only role. She has also given us a meta version of herself as a struggling actress and celebrity through the portrayal of herself here and in 2004’s Seed of Chucky. As the series draws closer to its end the more we get to explore the Tiffany and Chucky dynamic.
We learn of how abusive and toxic the relationship really is. Sure, to some extent, it’s played off for laughs. In the finale, however, we get to see what years of that abuse has done to her as a character. It reminds us that toxicity can sometimes be a ticking time bomb. Sometimes we might not see it in the moment but eventually that environment or situation takes its toll on you as an individual. It affects the way in which you see your value as a human. It affects your relationship with friends and family. I know that it's easier said than done but consider our resource library, or someone close to you, to confide in. Telling someone and making plans to remove yourself from the situation are among the first steps.
If you or someone you know is reading this right now and struggling with suicide, depression, addiction, or self-harm - please reach out. Comment, message, or tweet at us. Go to victimsandvillains.net/hope for more resources. Call the suicide lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Text "HELP" to 741-741. There is hope & you DO have so much value and worth!
Victims and Villains is written (and produced) by Josh "Captain Nostalgia" Burkey and others, and edited by Cam Smith. Music by Mallory Johnson and others. Chucky Season One is property of Universal Television. We do not own nor claim any rights.
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