Dolls Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A bratty kid and some adults get grounded by evil dolls for being naughty.

🍿 Dolls: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Troubled Family and a Stormy Night

The film opens with Judy, a young girl, traveling with her estranged father, David, and her cruel stepmother, Rosemary. Their dysfunctional family dynamic is quickly established as Rosemary expresses open contempt for Judy. A sudden storm leaves them stranded on a dirt road, leading them to seek shelter in a nearby mansion.

The Hartwicke Mansion and Its Inhabitants

The mansion is inhabited by Gabriel and Hilary Hartwicke, an elderly couple who are dollmakers. They welcome the family inside and offer them shelter for the night. Shortly after, a friendly man named Ralph and two punk rock hitchhikers, Isabel and Enid, also arrive, seeking refuge from the storm. The house is filled with a vast collection of antique dolls, creating an eerie atmosphere.

The Dolls Come to Life

As night falls, Judy notices strange occurrences around the house. The dolls seem to be moving on their own and behaving strangely. Isabel and Enid, planning to steal valuables from the mansion, quickly fall prey to the dolls’ sinister nature. The dolls begin to attack the guests who harbor wicked intentions or treat others poorly.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Judy Bower (Carrie Lorraine): A imaginative young girl who befriends the dolls and is spared their wrath due to her innocent heart.
• David Bower (Ian Patrick Williams): Judy’s ill-tempered and abusive father, who is ultimately punished for his cruelty and lack of compassion.
• Rosemary Bower (Carolyn Purdy-Gordon): Judy’s mean stepmother, who is targeted by the dolls for her unkindness and lack of empathy.
• Gabriel Hartwicke (Guy Rolfe): The enigmatic dollmaker who, along with his wife, judges the morality of the stranded travelers.
• Hilary Hartwicke (Hilary Mason): Gabriel’s wife who metes out justice to those who disrespect the dolls and lack childlike wonder.
• Ralph Morris (Stephen Lee): A kind-hearted man-child who empathizes with Judy and is spared by the dolls due to his youthful spirit.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Judy Bower: “No… afraid of what’s in the dark.” – Judy responds to Gabriel when asked if she’s afraid of the dark, hinting at the true danger within the house.
• Gabriel: “They say if you don’t love your toys, they won’t love you either.” – Gabriel cryptically warns the guests about the importance of respecting the dolls.
• Hilary Hartwicke: “It’s the toys. You have to be good to them, and they’ll be good to you.” – Hilary explains the philosophy behind the dolls, warning of the consequences of mistreatment.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $1.1 million
• Domestic Gross: $2.2 million
• Worldwide Gross: $2.2 million

💥 Dolls Reviews

Personal Review

I first saw ‘Dolls’ when I was a kid, and it genuinely freaked me out! There’s something so unsettling about dolls coming to life, and this movie does it well, especially the transformation scenes. The effects might look dated now, but they still hold a certain charm and creepiness. The part where the dolls all turn their heads at once gave me chills! It’s a fun, quirky horror movie that reminds me of simpler times. It is just pure nostalgia and creeps.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of 80s horror movies”
  • “Viewers who appreciate practical effects and stop-motion animation”
  • “Those interested in films with a dark fairytale atmosphere”
  • “Horror enthusiasts who enjoy movies about killer dolls”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Gore”
  • “Scary themes”
  • “Some disturbing imagery”
  • “Mature themes (dysfunctional family dynamics, implied child abuse)”

Professional Reviews

• Empire Magazine: “Dolls offers a chilling fairytale, elevated by Guy Rolfe’s performance and effective practical effects. While the script has some weaknesses, the overall experience is a worthwhile addition to the killer doll subgenre, capturing a unique blend of horror and whimsy.
• AllMovie: “Stuart Gordon crafts a memorable and creepy atmosphere, creating a sense of unease that lingers long after the credits roll. Though low-budget, the film’s practical effects and commitment to its fairy tale premise make it a standout in the horror genre.
• Fangoria: “Dolls delivers a macabre delight, thanks to its imaginative creature design and dedication to old-school horror techniques. Despite a somewhat predictable plot, the film’s chilling atmosphere and impressive visuals make it a must-see for horror fans.

Audience Reactions

The practical effects for the dolls are amazing and still hold up today.: Viewers praise the film for its use of practical effects and stop-motion animation to bring the dolls to life.

It successfully combines fairytale elements with genuine horror, creating a unique experience.: Many appreciate the dark fairytale atmosphere and the way the movie blends horror with childlike innocence.

Overall Consensus: Dolls is a cult classic that blends fairytale elements with horror, appreciated for its practical effects and unique atmosphere, but can feel campy to some viewers.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “This film was shot before Stuart Gordon’s next film, From Beyond (1986), and was shot on the same sets.”
• “The stop-motion animation for the dolls was done by David Allen, who also worked on many of the Puppet Master films.”
• “The film draws inspiration from classic ‘old dark house’ stories, with a group of strangers trapped in a mysterious mansion during a storm.”

🖥️ How to Watch Dolls?

As of today, there are no current streaming options to watch Dolls. However, you can find the DVD for purchase from online retailers like Amazon and other online stores, often at reasonable prices. Check your local libraries for potential DVD borrowing options as well.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Dolls, you might like these similar films:

• Puppet Master (1989): Features killer puppets with distinct personalities and methods of dispatching their victims, similar to Dolls.
• Child’s Play (1988): Another killer doll movie released shortly after Dolls, although focused on a single doll possessed by a serial killer’s soul.
• The Old Dark House (1932): A classic pre-code horror film featuring a group of travelers taking refuge in a strange and sinister house during a storm.

🛒 Dolls Related Products

• Dolls (1987) [Blu-ray]: High-definition restoration for superior picture quality, includes behind-the-scenes footage and director commentary.
• Dolls Movie Poster (Reproduction): A high-quality print of the original movie poster, perfect for framing and displaying your love for the film.
• Custom Designed Dolls T-Shirt: Features iconic imagery from the film, made with high-quality materials for lasting comfort and style.
• Horror Movie-Inspired Collectible Doll: Handcrafted doll inspired by the aesthetics of Dolls, features intricate details and high-quality materials, a standout piece for collectors.

🎧 Soundtrack

Dolls features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Original Dolls Theme” – performed by Victor Spiegel
• “Score Pieces” – performed by Richard Band

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Nanny Assigned To Babysit A Mysterious Doll | Movie Story Recapped

If you love the creepy doll vibe from “Dolls,” you HAVE to check out this recap of a movie where a nanny gets way more than she bargained for babysitting a VERY strange doll. Honestly, after watching this, I’m side-eyeing all my childhood toys!

✨ Rate