A filmmaker who grew up with Chucky the killer doll, seeks out the other families surrounding the Child's Play films as they recount their experiences working on the ongoing franchise and what it means to be a part of the "Chucky" family.
Going back to my confused, horror-filled brain, I think the first two horror movies I ever saw were the original Little Shop of Horrors (which is, admittedly, a more macabre comedy) and the original Child's Play. My older sister convinced me to secretly watch a VHS; I think she was five years old at the time. Needless to say, 90-something minutes later, my My Buddy doll was thrown right into the dumpster. Mild trauma aside, this started me on my path to being completely and deeply in love with the genre.
Director: Kyra Elise Gardner
Writer: Kyra Elise Gardner
Stars: Lin Shaye, Marlon Wayans, Brad Dourif
Around the same time, my uncle had a Chucky doll that he was, as my mom and dad later told me, "totally obsessed." So much so that he ended up giving it to me. This was my new Buddy. More than that, he was my good boy. A true friend to the bitterest of ends. Director Kyra Elise Gardner, however, beats me by about a hundred miles. She's literally grown up with the pint-sized bad guy, seeing how her father is the legendary Tony Gardner. You don't know who in this? Well, he is a magician of special effects, puppets and makeup. Chances are you've seen his craft in movies like Hocus Pocus, Army of Darkness, Michael Jackson's "Thriller" video, and many more. In fact, he has, as of this writing, over 200 credits in makeup and special effects alone. It is through this lens that Kyra goes on a journey to unite not only the making of these films, but also her connection to a second spiritual family in the various actors and crew.
I've always felt that the best documentaries have a personal thread to tie it all together. If it had just been a movie about the movie series, it would have been a very solid and entertaining outing. However, she takes this one step further and injects a deeply personal aspect that honestly makes it as moving as it is informative. I've talked to some critics who caught it during her festival and they told me the ending made them cry. Yes, I completely understand that reaction as Kyra gives us a glimpse into her childhood, her love for her talented father, and most importantly, the challenges of having him away while she works. This is something she can relate to and also gain some insight from others who work in the industry.
From a technical point of view, the film is extremely careful in the way it is presented with interviews that are very engaging and at times beautifully candid. I also really enjoyed that people like Lin Shaye, Abigail Breslin, and Marlon Wayans brought her unique perspective to working on the genre. Also, for those who think these movies are just a slap in the face, this documentary highlights the incredibly hard work and sacrifice that goes into making these movies. As Kyra rightly states, she missed out on her father and this is certainly the case with the families of the cast and crew. This also acts as a love letter to the dedicated fans who proudly wear the Childs Play legacy on their damn Good Guy sleeves. It was a nice touch to include images of die-hard Chucky-heads.
Living with Chucky is a wonderfully warm and joyous celebration of the Child's Play series brought home by someone who literally grew up with this little terror. It is an unmissable documentary, and perhaps the favorite documentary of 2022.
Watch Living with Chucky 2022 Movie Trailer
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