Whether you are new to this absolutely groundbreaking franchise or a seasoned veteran just curious on how Spence ranks the franchise as a whole, we’re so excited to kick off our first Monster Mash Monday to celebrate the success of Don Mancini’s Child’s Play films with an unapologetic, but perhaps somewhat borderline chaotic, ranking of the Child’s Play cinematic universe.
- Seed of Chucky (2004) (5)
When someone mentions this sequel in the horror community, I’ve personally found the reaction to be mixed. You either adore it or you despise it. The fifth in the franchise, Seed of Chucky, opens with the audience meeting Gentle Glen, a ventriloquist dummy, who unbeknownst to him at the time, has more than a distant connection to the infamous Chucky doll and Chucky’s bride Tiffany. One of my favorite modes of storytelling, most specifically in horror films, is when the film’s cast portrays real versions of themselves. Think Elm Street’s New Nightmare where the original stars of Nightmare on Elm Street, Heather Langenkamp and Robert Englund play themselves. Let’s just say Jennifer Tilly, the voice of Chucky’s Bride, Tiffany, plays herself in Seed and she does NOT disappoint. It may be the most outrageous and most fan divisive film that Mancini has ever made, but it’s number one on this list for a reason. There may be a delightful Hannah Spearritt of S CLUB 7 fame involvement but that isn’t the most important take-away from this film (although as a life-long, die hard S Club 7 fan, it’s kind of a huge deal to me!) As we go through the film’s narrative, it explores a ton about gender identity as young doll Glen/Glenda explores their identity throughout the film and what that means when being related to the most notorious killer in the world. As somebody who is currently on their own gender identity journey and what that means when presenting oneself in a society that isn’t too keen on anything but the gender roles that society has created for it’s own, it’s absolutely huge to see this so delicately done and celebrated in horror.
2. Child’s Play 2 (1990) (2)
Child’s Play 2. Taking off right where the original Child’s Play left off two years prior, Chucky is back to attempt to get his revenge on little Andy. Because this film came out at the beginning of a new decade and took place at the end of the last one, the 80s vibe is strong in the setting of Chicago, as is the believable brother/sister relationship between Andy and his foster sister, Kyle. Out of the original trilogy of films, I would rank this #1, and it’s so difficult to explain why, other than the atmosphere, without spoilers. But it’s super great.
3. Bride of Chucky (1998) (4)
If not for Seed of Chucky, this would be my absolute favorite in the new spin on the franchise during that time. With the introduction of Jennifer Tilly’s character Tiffany, an ex-girlfriend of pre-doll Chucky, the audience is introduced to Chucky’s past as killer Charles Lee Ray and his interactions with society. Bride is truly a masterpiece in storytelling as it pays tribute to a number of horror films of yesteryear, including a fantastic scene of the creation of Tiffany the Doll, as an ode to the classic monster film, The Bride of Frankenstein (1935). My favorite piece of trivia that I totally made up for myself, is that with the addition, but very brief appearance of Alexis Arquette, every single Arquette sibling has acted in the horror genre. Fun, useless fact, but I adore it. Although masterful and incredibly smart, this was the first film of the franchise that I’m almost certain broke the boundaries when it comes to societal taboos. Just watch that scene in the honeymoon suite. You’re welcome.
4. Child’s Play (1988) (1)
There’s something about the one film that kicks off a franchise. The OG if you will. When Child’s Play was first being created and then filmed, it was at the height of the Cabbage Patch kids craze, as well as the My Buddy Doll popularity with boys of the 80s. At the beginning of the film, we meet killer Charles Lee Ray, who uses magic to transfer his spirit into a manufactured Good Guy doll named Chucky. After being bought by Karen Barclay (Catherine Hicks), as a gift for her young son, Andy, Chucky will go to every violent length possible to escape his doll body, and transfer his soul into the first person he was revealed to. Andy.
As the first film in the original trilogy, it’s incredibly compelling and keeps you hooked, and is a wonderful addition to the other slasher films of the 80s. As a person terrified of dolls in real life, I can only imagine what this film did to young kids in the 80s.
5. Curse of Chucky (2013) (6)
This was the first revisit to the character of Chucky since Seed, and from the widely mixed reactions of Seed years prior, I can understand why. Although for me personally these new string of films, especially this one, didn’t quite do it for me. Sure, we had the addition of Fiona Dourif (Chucky actor Brad Dourif’s daughter!) who absolutely holds the film on her shoulders, but story-wise I wasn’t feeling it, and I still can’t put my finger on exactly why. It may have been the pacing. It may have been the story itself. This film just didn’t make me care as much as the previous ones did.
6. Child’s Play 3 (1991) (3)
Child’s Play 3! After watching the 2nd, which ranks so highly on this list, and never having seen the third before, my expectations were extremely high, which usually does more hurt than good in my experience. 3 takes place eight years after 2, and protagonist Andy, is now in military school. When he thinks that his traumatic childhood is behind him, surprise…. Chucky returns! When I first viewed this film, I don’t think I really digested exactly what was happening until after it was over. After it was over, I just felt extremely uncomfortable about the story and how it was portrayed in relationship to Chucky.
7. Cult of Chucky (2017) (7)
I’m going to be completely honest with you and say I couldn’t finish this one, but please don’t think that this is me telling you not to view it and make your own opinions. Horror is subjective!
Stay tuned for a future Monster Mash Monday blog post that delves into the new Chucky series that you can currently catch on Syfy, Tuesdays at 10pm or catch up with on the Syfy site as well as on VOD.
Spencer's House of the Otherworld 