Horror-comedy is a fickle genre. Sometimes they really work, often they don’t. It’s easy to upset the balance when you’re tackling both comedy and horror. For that reason, when one works it spells maximum entertainment value. The new film from director Stephen Wolfe, Doll Factory is a case of horror-comedy done right.
Doll Factory is a film that fully embraces it’s campy nature. There’s a bevy of funny sight gags, ridiculous characters, hilarious cringey dialogue, and the dolls themselves are played for laughs throughout. The style of humor feels reminiscent of an early-2000’s teen comedy like American Pie, Scary Movie, or Road Trip, often juvenile and wholly endearing. The special FX are completely campy as well, blood sprays like mad and a tasteful mix of practical and digital FX is utilized.
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Doll Factory manages to pay tribute to horror classics without being too showy about it. The whole set-up is similar to cult favorite, Night of the Demons, as a handful of Halloween party-goers (still in their costumes) split off to go to a locally infamous haunted factory for a seance. There is also a spellbook in the film that looks a whole lot like the Necronomicon, but for whatever reason, it never feels like a cheap reference. The murderous little dolls also feel somewhat similar to other films like Demonic Toys or Puppet Master. The film clearly comes from the minds and talents of filmmakers who love horror films and wanted to contribute something fun to the genre.
This movie is occasionally reminiscent of the more recent output of Full Moon Features in its use of diminutive creatures and raunchy humor. Doll Factory, perhaps, has a better grasp of the use of humor though and uses every opportunity to fish for giggles. This is a silly movie. It’s fair to say that above all else, this is a comedy film. Even the horror elements are played for laughs in Doll Factory, the characters are goofy stereotypes, the villains are high-pitched voiced yucksters, and the kills are outrageously gory and hysterical. Fans of corny slapsticky horror, like Troma films or The Evil Dead movies take note. This one delivers.
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For a horror-comedy about killer dolls awakened in a seance by costumed Halloween party deserters, Doll Factory is way more fresh and entertaining than it has any business being. Horror fans who are in the mood for something self-aware, silly, splatterific, and wonderfully brainless should consider giving Doll Factory a shot. It’s a very fun watch and perfect for the type of crowd who want to check out a horror flick, but aren’t necessarily trying to delve into something dark or serious.
Doll Factory is now available on DVD and VOD from Wild Eye Releasing.
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