The Harbinger XI: Child's Slay 🔪
When you think of the great slashers of our time, Chucky (a.k.a. Charles Lee Ray, a.k.a. The Lakeshore Strangler) may not be the first to come to mind, what with the hulking Michael and Jason literally overshadowing him both in physical size and output. But after digging into the brilliant Chucky series (airing Tuesday nights on USA Network and Syfy), I truly believe that our "friend to the end" may also be the slasher villain to outlive them all. 😈
Unlike Freddy Krueger, Chucky has been a jokester since Day 1, with Brad Dourif's devilish voice work bringing a twisted likeability to what could have been a one-note character. So when the franchise went in a campier route (see: my personal faves, Bride of Chucky and Seed of Chucky), it didn't feel out of place. And creator Don Mancini surprised us again with the genuinely creepy and underrated Curse of Chucky, it felt right too, as the series returned to its scarier roots.
It all comes back to Child's Play's daddy, really. With every new instalment, Don finds a new way to bring Chucky into the evolving horror narrative, while also always staying true to the character we've come to love in all his lovingly restitched parts. 🧵
Don's latest entry in the Child's Play saga expertly strikes that tricky balance between horror and comedy. And it does it while also speaking to a new generation of horror fans, particularly the queer kids who may have first found Chucky when he met Tiffany. It helps that Brad's cool-as-hell daughter, Fiona Dourif, co-stars in the series, playing not only possessed final girl Nica but also Charles Lee Ray (more on that in our recent interview with her).
With Fiona becoming the new face of franchise (standing alongside returning stars Jennifer Tilly, Christine Elise and Alex Vincent), I really do think Chucky, the character, will be here to slay many more days. That being said, Chucky the series hasn't been officially renewed yet. So give the ol' Good Guy some love by tuning in to next week's season finale, why don't ya? 📺
After all...
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