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It is hard to imagine that even for the most dedicated and loving mothers that there won’t be days you’ll want to just scream. Screaming in frustration that maybe your child is driving you mad or maybe out of fear that you are not enough for your child. Motherhood is without question is one of the hardest if not the hardest thing many people will go through. After that I think it would be fair to say running for your life through the woods as a mysterious figure tries to kill you would be a close second. DOLLY directed by Rod Blackhurst is a mean spirited and darkly comical look at motherhood and how running away from it sometimes brings you right back. It is the rare horror film today that actually makes you squirm while still chuckling to yourself over how grotesque it can get. And yet DOLLY somehow is able to find a sense of empathy not just for its likeable lead, but even its deadly yet tormented masked killer. A film that heavily and proudly wears its grindhouse influences on its sleeve DOLLY may follow some familiar beats but it still holds its own self contained story that leads to one of the most fun films at this year’s Fantastic Fest.

Macy (Fabianne Therese) doesn’t want to be a mother. A young woman who is not only afraid that her boyfriend Chase (Seann William Scott) is going to propose to her on their hike today but also that she will now become a step-mother to Chase’s daughter. Chase himself is nervous enough for the proposal that neither of them take full consideration how deep into the woods they are going, that is until they come across some creepy dolls hung up on trees throughout their hike. DOLLY may start off quickly with some conventional “do not go further” humor but what makes it stand beyond just two dumb travelers is that as scary as these dolls are getting ready to propose is far scarier than any porcelain doll. And maybe that’s why they make even the dumber decision to go check out a mysterious noise off the beaten path, but even with all this Blackhurst knows how to sell each moment especially with his actors that already make their poor decisions and gullible behavior all the more endearing. But hey sometimes you fuck around and you find out. It isn’t long (in an already breezy 82 minute movie) before Dolly a mysterious figure with wide shoulders, wearing a round dolls dress and what appears to be a doll’s mask made out of glass appears and takes over. DOLLY is not shy with its violence and in fact it is pretty bloodthirsty delivering an early beat down that will have any avid horror watcher feeling queasy. Dolly themselves portrayed by professional wrestler Max the Impaler, seems destined to become not just a new horror icon but one that will have hardcore fans waiting for a Bloody Disgusting acquisition so they can buy their own masks at a local Spirit Halloween. Art the Clown may have been the takeover last year, but if they play their cards right we could eventually get a Dolly Halloween.

Before she knows it Macy’s run for her life is cut short when she finds herself in the home of Dolly, a home that yes may evoke “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre,” but more so it just feels like your grandma’s creepy house that for some reason you just can’t wait to get away from. But for Dolly home is where their heart is as the masked killer’s more bizarre yet possibly endearing attitude comes out. For Macy it is pure hell, but for Dolly it is a chance to have not just a new toy, but possibly a child. As the film starts to reveal Dolly’s true fascination with Macy the film starts to display some incredibly disrobing visuals thanks to a fantastic makeup and prosthetics team that gives a whole new meaning to a mother’s embrace. Macy the once fearful future mother now finds herself the scared for shit little daughter. A giant hint of irony that is never lost on the film delivering sadistic humor alongside a bloodbath big enough to fill up a dollhouse. But DOLLY doesn’t just rely on guts and gore, what also makes the film rise above is its performers, Fabianne Therese may spend most of the film scared for her life, but there is a great balance of having to give in to the madness as both a mother and daughter figure. To understand both sides no matter how disturbing they get. As for Max the Impaler their physical performance feels vaudeville in their ability to jump from mutilator to innocent all in a blink of an eye. As the masked Dolly they find this charm that no matter how wicked they get you are curious to see the next move because they always keep you on your toes.

DOLLY eventually finds itself at an ending that feels straight homage but still has a one or two surprises saved for its final moments, including an original song that can delight any honkytonk bar, and even with a promise of a possible return DOLLY is a reminder that while she may piss you off at times, mother does know best, so give her a call and be sure to come back home.

B+

DOLLY SCREENED AT THE 2025 FANTASTIC FEST IN AUSTIN TEXAS. IT IS CURRENTLY SEEKING U.S. DISTRIBUTION