★ 5 / 10
This is a very decent and average slasher
Sierbahnn
This is a very decent and average slasher movie in which the protagonists are interesting enough for you to engage with, and the antagonist is without too much…
This is a very decent and average slasher movie in which the protagonists are interesting enough for you to engage with, and the antagonist is without too much backstory, which means that you can't empathize or predict what they're going to do. It's not quite as effective in this regard as something like The Hitchhiker, but it is certainly a lot better than the antagonists in something like Scream. The antagonist is absolutely the main draw here and is very creepy and unsettling. The unfolding narrative around the titular antagonist is captivating enough, and the movie is shot very proficiently. It doesn't elevate itself, and I don't think it aspires to, but it is certainly good enough. And if you like these movies, you'll have a good time.
★ 9 / 10
Based on the segment Baby Girl from Horror
graeaehorror
Based on the segment Baby Girl from Horror Anthology Volume 1, Dolly is a brutal independent feature that’s getting a cinematic release on 6th March. Director…
Based on the segment Baby Girl from Horror Anthology Volume 1, Dolly is a brutal independent feature that’s getting a cinematic release on 6th March.
Director Rod Blackhurst has done this indie short proud, giving us a real tour de force of horror which proves the genre is not dependent on remakes and sequels alone. This is pure, unapologetic terror with a grindhouse feel and visuals that hark back to the golden age of horror. There are homages to rage fuelled classics we all adore and has a gritty intense vibe that Tobe Hooper would be proud of.
Not satisfied with being a true powerhouse in the pro-wrestling world, Max The Impaler invades our nightmares as Dolly with an emotional and terrifying performance. Fabienne Therese is giving every ounce of final girl energy as Macy and I’m so here for it! Seann William Scott and Ethan Suplee each portray strong characters and are a joy to watch.
With jaw dropping practical effects, a fantastic score and unrelenting pacing, Dolly has to be an early contender for best independent feature of 2026. You’d best support this film in cinemas else Dolly is coming to get ya!
★ 7 / 10
Excellent, but upsetting portrayal of Dolly
Dolly is an absolutely glorious, grimy, scuzzy love letter to 70s horror. I had a brilliant time watching the UK premiere at FrightFest - it was a clear crowd…
Dolly is an absolutely glorious, grimy, scuzzy love letter to 70s horror. I had a brilliant time watching the UK premiere at FrightFest - it was a clear crowd pleaser and I loved it.Couple Chase and Macy are on a hike together, when they stumble upon creepy dolls in the woods. They find more and more - an unnerving alter by someone who is clearly obsessed with dolls. Then they bump into Dolly and all hell breaks loose. She wants to make Macy her living dolly and it's an absolutely batshit rollercoaster.Shot on 16mm, Dolly looks absolutely gorgeous. It's grainy and looks like an old video tape you've dug up of a video nasty. Writer and Director Rod Blackhurst clearly loves The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (don't we all?!) with so many lovely little nods to be appreciated if you're a fellow fan. Many of the shots, sets and actions pay homage to TTCM and they feel like fun little Easter eggs for fans. It's brilliant. One of the characters being named Tobe really made me smile. The tributes to TTCM were the only heartwarming things though - this film is gnarly AF!The gore and practical sfx are INCREDIBLE. I had my jaw open in disbelief (hehe ?) at some of the scenes. I audibly gasped and winced and the gore is disgusting. I loved it - I didn't expect it to go that hard! We were also treated to an intro from sfx maestro, Dan Martin, who designed Dolly's creepy AF porcelain doll mask.It was bizarre to see Sean William Scott and Ethan Suplee outside of comedic roles. They were both absolutely fantastic and it was especially great to see Scott do something so incredibly different than I've ever seen him do before. I know he's done a few more serious roles and I definitely want to see more of his non-comedic work. Fabianne Therese was a likeable, fantastic lead who I rooted for throughout the film. She's a smart, resourceful female character and feels real. I hate that I have to praise a good female character, but as we all know - we don't always get them!My only issue with the film was the depiction of Dolly. I love a silent, masked, mysterious killer. She is an imposing presence, played by wrestler Max the Impaler. Dolly is tall, muscular, strong and doesn't say a word, other than making some very unsettling noises like a crying baby - almost as if she's using the voicebox from a doll. She's clearly mentally unwell, which always sits a little uncomfortably with me when metal illness is used as a plot/character point. But as that's a common horror trope now, I mostly ignore it. But Dolly constantly stims and I didn't like that. I know I'm more sensitive to this, as someone with autism, but Dolly went from "mentally unwell silent stereotype" to non-verbal autistic who stims to self regulate. I'm sure that wasn't the intention, but it did take the shine off the film for me a bit. I don't mind a generic "crazy" killer, but when the portrayal tipped over into someone with autism being the killer, it did upset me.I absolutely loved the film. It made me smile so much, as it was beautiful, bloody, gory, exciting and went places I really didn't expect it to. But the portrayal of Dolly did make me uncomfortable at times. I know so many of my friends will LOVE Dolly, so keep an eye out for a release!
60%
TOMATOMETER
· 86 reviews
46%
AUDIENCE
· 50 ratings
4.9/10
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He will always be stiffler