Delving into the Dark: “Curse of Chucky” Revisited
In our “Frightful Films” segment, we shine a light on horror movies that, for various reasons, didn’t quite make it to the mainstream cinema spotlight.
Nica (Fiona Dourif), confined to a wheelchair since birth, finds her life with an overbearing mother less than fulfilling. Her world takes a sinister turn when a Chucky doll arrives as a mysterious gift, followed by her mother’s inexplicable “suicide” – a fall down the stairs. As her older sister Barb (Danielle Bisutti) and family gather for the funeral, a dark reunion unfolds…
Fun Fact: Brad Dourif recorded all his lines for “Curse of Chucky” in a single day!
The Singular Vision of Don Mancini
In Hollywood, many build careers on a single franchise, but few dedicate themselves solely to it. Don Mancini is one such individual. Starting with the screenplay for “Dwelling on the Basement,” Mancini struck gold in 1988 with the comedic horror “Child’s Play,” grossing $44 million on a $9 million budget. Since then, he’s penned only Chucky films.
Back to Basics
A hallmark of the Chucky films has always been their brevity. “Curse of Chucky” breaks the mold as the first installment exceeding 90 minutes.
Two years later came the sequel, followed by a third, which struggled to break even. Chucky faded into the background until 1998, when “Bride of Chucky” revitalized the franchise, introducing Tiffany, voiced by Jennifer Tilly. While the film’s earnings weren’t enough to attract a major studio, Mancini, the writer behind all the films, remained committed. In 2004, he made his directorial debut with “Seed of Chucky.” Though financially successful, Mancini’s directorial skills were deemed mediocre, and the sixth installment arrived nine years later, straight to video, with a modest $5 million budget.
A Return to Roots
This background is crucial to understanding why “Curse of Chucky” marks a return to the series’ roots. It’s a contained, old-fashioned story where Mancini attempts to rectify past mistakes. Gone is the postmodern humor and celebrity cameos; instead, a stark, serious, and even malevolent tone prevails. Only Chucky is allowed to joke, and each dark quip is followed by a knife or axe.
Influences and Homages
Mancini’s 2013 directorial style shows the influence of Brian De Palma. Mancini employs split-focus shots and De Palma-esque camera movements (with a musical nod to Ennio Morricone’s “The Thing”), but lacks overall cohesion.
For the Fans
Nevertheless, the film offers treats for franchise enthusiasts. Nica is played by Brad Dourif’s daughter (the voice of Chucky), the gore is surprisingly intense, the plot neatly connects to the first film, and Jennifer Tilly makes a cameo. While “Curse of Chucky” is an improvement over “Seed,” it still falls short compared to the best films in the series.