By: Myriam Akbar
Dolly is an indie slasher film written, produced, and directed by Rod Blackhurst. It’s based on his 2022 short film, Babygirl. The plot is contained, following a woman’s (Macy) journey of survival against a masked killer (Dolly) attempting to capture her and raise her as their child. It was a highly anticipated film among the horror community, who has been longing for a new slasher icon. Reviews were mixed for the most part, satisfying some and disappointing others. Many viewers found themselves in the middle. I was one of the people that was let down, yet also in the middle. I say let down, because slasher is one of my favorite subgenres and I truly wanted to love the film. However I found it to be a bit uninspired, despite gravitating towards and enjoying several aspects. Upon a second watch, I did go from thinking it's just "okay" to being a fan.
Spoilers Ahead…
Beginning with the Positives:
My favorite part about Dolly is that the concept and killers’ aesthetic reminds me of my favorite television show, Pretty Little Liars. In both works, there’s a villain who kidnaps their victims and takes them to what looks like a life-size dollhouse. Dolly kidnaps Macy, taking her to dollhouse-like baby room and treats her like a baby. While in the show, the villain takes their victims to a life-size dollhouse inspired by their bedrooms and treats them like her own personal Barbie dolls. The use of dolls as a confusing scare tactic, being hung up or placed around is another similarity. The relentless and possessive nature of the motives in both works, adds a lair of terror because the mission of the villain isn’t to kill them right away—it’s to give them a prolonged experience. The ongoing torment and panic makes for an anxiety inducing watch. In terms of similarity in aesthetic–I’m referring to the use of red attire, blond hair, and a porcelain babydoll mask. Initially, I didn’t notice any connections. It wasn’t until I was about half way through and it was a pleasant surprise. The original Pretty Little Liars series never went full slasher, so it was satisfying to make the comparison and conceptualize a world in which this took place in the show.
In general, I think Dolly is an impressive slasher villain and the most interesting part of the film. The name itself is catchy and memorable. Their large, towering build gives for a dreadful appearance similar to Rob Zombie’s version of Michael Myers or Jason Voorhees. They’re strong and ruthlessly violent, creating some unforgettable gory kill scenes. If you’re a fan of the original versions of The Strangers and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, I think you’ll enjoy this film due to its brutal and gritty nature.
Another aspect of the film that worked for me is the themes of motherhood, in relation to Macy’s backstory and Dolly’s twisted behavior. Given that there’s minimal characters, this link is clever in its focus on Macy’s uncertainty of becoming a step-mother.
Why the Film Fell Short for me:
How much depth does a slasher film need? Does it need any at all? Does Dolly bring anything new to the slasher subgenre? I asked myself these questions after finishing the film, as I often do after watching a modern slasher film. I think this is because my favorites found a way to be inventive; for example, the mashing of genres in A Nightmare on Elm Street (slasher, supernatural, fantasy). Or, the unique and culturally relevant storytelling in Candyman. Outside of expectation and preference, Dolly certainly accomplishes what it set out to. It’s a self-aware film that was executed well and I don’t want my stance on that to be confused. However, I personally was hoping for more story and world-building. I said in my TikTok initial-quick-thoughts video that due to its simplicity, it would have made a better short film. It wasn’t until after I rewatched and began my review writing process that I learned it’s actually based on one. Babygirl is available to watch for free on YouTube and it’s everything I like in a slasher short.
It’s clear that the filmmaker’s vision for the full-length version came to life on screen. From the setting, to plot, to Dolly’s essence as this monstrous killer.
What’s the Future Look Like for Dolly?
I’d like a sequel and given the film’s ending, it’s likely there will be one. There’s scenes that attempt to give viewers some insight into Dolly’s family system, an upbringing that created the monster we see throughout the film. It’s there and I want to learn more, especially because I was yearning for that from this film. Despite my negative criticism, there’s potential for a franchise—I absolutely see that and think the sequel could be even better than the first.
Photo Creds: IMDB.com
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