Dolly Dearest

I'm surprised I hadn't heard of this 1991 film before. But then again, perhaps it was subconsciously intentional since the original Child's Play frightened me away from demon-possessed doll movies for thirty years.

Writing Quality: Pretty good. Convincing story that will leave you with goosebumps. You have the typical husband who thinks his wife is imagining the bad behavior in their daughter, Jessica. One scene that didn't make sense was when Jessica speaks in a demonic voice to the mom, with the brother nearby. The husband comes in a few seconds later and Jessica acts all innocent. In the hall, the mom tells the husband she is worried about her, which is a seriously passive response to what just happened. The life-sized doll house adds an extra creepy component--it seems symbolic of a prepping area for Jessica's transformation.

Scare Factor: Pretty darn disturbing on a psychological level. There is obviously something sinister happening to Jessica, and the more her mother tries to interact with her, the more evil the girl becomes. There are a few scenes reminiscent of The Exorcist (sudden demon voice) and The Omen (intense screaming), so be prepared. The doll's laugh is especially scary--an eerie warbled chuckle.

Content (sex, language, & violence): No sex, two curse words--f*** and b****. Otherwise, very mild. Violence is mild mostly and quickly expressed.

Values: Prayers, faith, and a priest blessing are acts taken on by the neighbor Camilla ( Lupe Ontiveros of the famed Selena film). Mother reaching out to husband about their daughter's strange behavior. Mother attempting to connect to Jessica out of concern.

Acting: Okay overall. Who really stands out is the little girl Jessica (played by Candice Hutson who voiced Cera in the first four Land Before Time movies). Her acting prowess for exhibiting sinister behavior plays out here in intensely frightening and credible ways! You will be chilled at every scene you must spend with her once she has the doll in her possession.

Bonuses: For as cheaply as it seems to have been made, with poor camera techniques and dismal lighting, the story is compelling. I love Lupe Ontiveros--she stood out in any film she did, even though her roles tended to be small (Among others--As Good As It Gets, The Goonies). Here, she represents the necessary faith-filled woman.

#DollyDearest #DeniseCrosby