Dolly (dir. Rob Blackhurst)
By: Dave Hughes
Every year, there is a select group of horror movies that challenge the tolerance of even the most devout aficionado. In previous years, films like Terrifier(2016), When Evil Lurks(2023) and Bring Her Back(2025) have pushed the boundaries of fans while also creating buzz online to see what horror fans will stomach. This year Dolly hopes to be considered within that category. Directed by Rob Blackhurst, Dolly is a grotesque, low budget horror film that tells the story of hikers who get kidnapped by a deranged woman serial killer who dresses up like a dolly while making her victims into her playtoys. Technically, Dolly excels in its visceral execution of stomach churning horror, yet it lacks the narrative to stand out from other films in the genre.
Dolly begins with Macy and Chase, a couple questioning what their future looks like, hiking in the remote woods near Chattanooga, Tennessee and stumbles upon a disturbing collection of dolls. The couple moves forward but haunting music lures them into Dolly’s twisted web of madness and gore. Macy, played by Fabienne Therese (John Dies the End, Teenage Cocktail), is the victim of most of Dolly’s madness and games. As Macy is trapped in Dolly’s home, Chase, played by a surprisingly serious Seann William Scott(American Pie, The Dukes of Hazzard), recovering from Dolly’s attack, wanders the woods looking for Macy. The film mainly showcases the battle between Macy and Dolly inside the house of horrors.
Director Rob Blackhurst’s decision to shoot Dolly on 16mm film will likely remind viewers of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974). The grainy feel of Dolly gives it a gritty aesthetic to live in effectively honoring those that came before. By using 16 mm, Blackhurst improves the quality of a film and gives it an opportunity to stand out among so many horror films being released this year. The film is a grotesque study in depravity and boundary pushing much like Tobe Hooper’s 1974 classic film. There is an unapologetic quality to its dark nature where its brutality does not let up or give the audience a break from its gore. Blackhurst’s choice of 16mm gives the audience familiar with Texas Chain Saw Massacre an idea of his inspirations but also prepares them for scenes that are stomach churning.
Dolly will be known for its grotesque, envelope pushing brutality and there is plenty of it to go around. Seasoned horror veterans will appreciate Dolly for these blood filled moments but this is not for fans who are turned off by disturbing visual elements. Dolly is not just about carnage, it is about the haunting imagery that fills up Dolly’s house. From the suffocating deteriorating structure of the house to the creaky floors, the imagery is as harrowing as any moment of practical effects. Dolly’s house is also cluttered with dolls which gives the audience a feeling of unease and uncertainty that runs parallel to the film’s unpredictable and volatile nature.
Target Score 5/10: Dolly will not play for large audiences. Director Rob Blackhurst does showcase individual moments that fans of the genre will appreciate. However, Dolly does not do enough to set itself apart from other genre defining films in an era that continues to see horror in the midst of a meaningful evolution.