Arriving on Shudder on November 1st is Doc of Chucky, the "ultimate account" of the Child's Play franchise from Never Sleep Again and Crystal Lake Memories' Thommy Hutson, who joined us for our latest Q&A feature:
What was your first experience watching Chucky and why is the series so important to you that you wanted it to be the focus of your latest documentary?
I absolutely remember watching the original Child’s Play in the theatre in 1988. I wasn’t sure what to expect, and I remember being quite scared of not just the power of the doll coming to life but also the gleefully evil way Chucky said and did such terrible things. There was this sort of unstoppable joy in being so horrific. I also felt struck by the plight of Andy as a little boy who was looking toward this plaything as a source of comfort, only for it to become an object of horror.
Of course, I watched all the films as the franchise went on. What struck me as interesting was how different each movie was in telling a story that was interesting and layered and saying something. There were so many themes and ideas at play: broken families, broken homes, toxic masculinity, and being the “other,” and they all worked together to tell this overarching story that began from that one film. Because of that, there was so much to explore in a multi-hour documentary that it felt like the right venue to bring all of that to light and dig deeper into how it started, where it went, where it’s going, and the impact it had on audiences in both the genre and cinema in general.
Having previously tackled the Elm Street and Friday franchises, how did those experiences help in putting this doc together?
Absolutely! Those previous documentaries laid the groundwork for this massive "tackle it all" look at horror movies, particularly franchises, that stand the test of time. Really examining more than the "how'd they do that?" and looking at why the films and characters resonate with audiences, what works, what doesn't work, and more.
What I am most excited about in Doc of Chucky is the ability to help expand on the behind-the-scenes information about the fact that Don Mancini has been a part of this franchise since the very beginning. That's such an incredibly rare and wonderful occurrence, and it's why the franchise has the ideas, the themes, the continuity, and the staying power it does. It was fascinating to help shine a light on those aspects of the films and the character of Chucky.
Were there any major challenges in putting together Doc of Chucky, whether it be getting a particular guest or finding footage / props, etc?
I’d be lying if I said these kinds of shows aren’t challenging in a million ways I expect and a million ways I don’t. Getting people to interview is always a vital hurdle to leap because there isn’t a show without them. I was fortunate and excited when both Don Mancini and David Kirschner agreed to interview. This is not only because they are obviously so critical to the first movie happening and the franchise becoming what it has become but also because it helped lend a semblance of credibility and an idea that this is something that should be explored in the best way possible.
The show had an incredible crew of people working tirelessly to put things together, get interviews, make props, and keep things moving daily. We shot in more than one country and multiple states to bring it all together and ensure that we got as many cast and crew as we could to really help bring the story of this franchise and its legacy to life. I'm so proud of what we were able to do with this documentary.
Was there anything significant that surprised you during the course of these interviews and learning more about the films and people behind them?
So many things! When you end up watching the films repeatedly, doing research, and asking questions of the cast and crew who brought them to life, it invariably will bring about new and exciting things to talk about. What was fascinating for me was hearing the story of how and why Don came up with what he did initially, how David Kirschner believed in it, and how the film was ultimately made. As a filmmaker, I find success stories like that to be fascinating and inspiring.
I was also glad to learn new things about every movie, whether it be a cast member's intention about their character, a story from a crew member that altered the course of their career, personal connections made, and more. I hope that people come away from the documentary not only entertained but also able to rewatch all of the movies with a different lens, in a new way, and take something even more from them than they initially did.
What do you attribute to Chucky's long lasting appeal, as well as its ability to continue when other 80s horror franchises are now in limbo?
I don’t think anyone can underestimate the power of the character that Don created and how Brad Dourif brought it to life and continues to find fascinating ways to expand upon it and the story. You never know, in the best way possible, what is going to happen next.
I also think the staying power is a testament to the incredible work of Kevin Yagher and all of the effects people who found ways to bring the Chucky doll to life over and over in a way that was so incredibly believable and terrifying. There’s a continual evolution to Chucky that audiences respond to and will continue to do so.
What's your personal favorite film in the Chucky series and why?
It's probably a tie! I really enjoy Bride of Chucky for the rollercoaster ride, the fun, and the incredible reinvention of things. The animatronic work and the introduction of Tiffany are just so fantastic. The other is Cult of Chucky. I appreciate how gorgeous that film is, how it ties so many things together, and the incredible balance in tone that Don crafted.
It all goes back to Don's consistency and vision. No matter the film, audiences know it will be something special. And scary!
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Streaming on Shudder November 1st
"The ultimate account of the Child’s Play film franchise and Chucky, a horror villain for the ages. With contributions from cast, crew, critics, historians, and experts, as well as clips, photographs, archival documents, behind-the-scenes footage, and more, experience the making-of story that proves you can’t keep a good guy down in a series of films that have created an icon."
After spending more than 10 years as a consultant in the tech and entertainment industry, Jonathan James launched Daily Dead in 2010 to share his interest in horror and sci-fi. Since then, it has grown into an online magazine with a staff of writers that provide daily news, reviews, interviews, and special features.
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