In the age of the smartphone, smart car, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Apple’s HomePod, drones, and A.I. in everyone’s pocket, the horror genre is ripe with technological possibilities. We’ve already seen tech horror from the computer screen capture movies like Unfriended, and the excellent thriller Searching. Black Mirror has been giving us thought provoking technological thrills via Netflix for the past few years. For decades now, horror audiences have been getting spooked by technology. In the 80s we had lots of movies making us weary of technology. Titles like The Terminator, Videodrome, Poltergeist, and the slasher cult classic Chopping Mall are all technophobic. Now, in 2019 we are surrounded by technology, making for the perfect time for an updated version of a classic slasher film to make us reconsider the tech that we keep near us.
Child’s Play (2019) is exactly that. A technophobic remake of the supernatural doll slasher movie of the same name from 1988. In updating the film for its remake, Child’s Play (2019) changes Chucky from a serial killer possessed doll to a high-tech doll with some nasty programming. 2019 Chucky is similar to the Amazon Alexa or Google Home. He can connect to smartphones, TVs, thermostats, and just about any surrounding technology. When controlling a piece of nearby tech, Chucky points his index finger, the finger lights up like E.T.’s glowing pointer, and the tech obeys to his every command. This command over technology leads to some very innovative kill sequences, and the movie does not shy away from its slasher roots.
The premise is simple, making for a fun slasher. Andy and his mom, Karen – played by Gabriel Bateman and Aubrey Plaza – move to Chicago. Karen is a supermarket employee where the new Buddi doll is being sold. She brings home a Buddi doll as an early birthday present for Andy. As a smart doll, Chucky begins to learn from his surrounding environment. He begins to use the same foul language that Andy does. He also picks up a knife in hopes to emulate Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 when Andy is watching the movie with his friends. Chucky is always listening and learning from his environment. This quickly leads to a killing spree. The people surrounding Andy are Chuck’s first victims.
Being a slasher, the film has to lean on the kill sequences, which the film does successfully. The kills are innovative, incorporating nearly every type of technology while still finding space for a Chucky classic, the kitchen knife. The kills are fun and also very shocking and grotesque. Chucky, now voiced by Mark Hamill, is creepy, sinister, and even funny. Though, I believe that Brad Dourif should have remained the voice of Chucky. Hamill did a good job, but Dourif brought a gruffer edge to the killer doll.
In the age of technology and nostalgia, Child’s Play (2019) places itself into both areas nicely. This is a great modern slasher. Slashers are a genre that I cherish. I would love to see more studios take a stab at the genre.
Rated R, Runtime 120 minutes
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