Child's Play (1988)

A single mother gives her son a beloved doll for his birthday, later they find out that the doll is possessed with the soul of a serial killer, who try to put his soul into the boy's body in order to become human.

Director:

Tom Holland

Writers:

Don Mancini (story), Don Mancini (screenplay),

Stars:

Catherine Hicks, Chris Sarandon, Alex Vincent

1 win & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Catherine Hicks	...	Karen Barclay
Chris Sarandon	...	Mike Norris
Alex Vincent	...	Andy Barclay
Brad Dourif	...	Charles Lee Ray / Chucky
Dinah Manoff	...	Maggie Peterson
Tommy Swerdlow	...	Jack Santos
Jack Colvin	...	Dr. Ardmore
Neil Giuntoli	...	Eddie Caputo
Juan Ramírez	...	Peddler
Alan Wilder	...	Mr. Criswell
Richard Baird	...	News Reporter at Toy Store
Raymond Oliver	...	Dr. Death
Aaron Osborne	...	Orderly
Tyler Hard	...	Mona
Ted Liss	...	George

Storyline

When Charles Lee Ray needs to get quick escape from cop Mike Norris, he takes his soul and buries it into playful, seemingly good guy doll Chucky. Little does he know a little boy by the name of Andy Barclay will be the new owner of him soon-to-come. Charles confides in Andy while he commits numerous murders. Once the adults accept Andy's story as truth, it's too late.

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Plot Keywords:

doll | charles lee ray | chucky | birthday | serial killer | 

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Taglines:

This doll is killer.

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Genres:

Horror | Mystery | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Details

Official Sites:

MGM

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 November 1988 (USA)

Also Known As:

Blood Brother

Filming Locations:

Brewster Building Apartments - 2800 N. Pine Grove Avenue, Lake View, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$9,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$33,244,684 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

United Artists

Technical Specs

Runtime:

87 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Don Mancini and John Lafia were barred from the set after threatening to sue Tom Holland over a writing credit dispute.

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Goofs

When Chucky is strangling Norris in the car, Norris burns Chucky's face with the cigarette lighter, to which Chucky screams in pain and eventually lets go of the rope. However, after the crash, Norris shoots at Chucky and Chucky laughs saying that he cannot be hurt. Then later when he goes to see the voodoo priest, he references being shot as causing pain, but not the cigarette lighter.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Mike Norris: I got the strangler! Wabash and Van Buren.

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Connections

Referenced in What I Like About You: Don't Kiss the Messenger (2005)

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Soundtracks

"I'M HANGING"
Written by B. Boyle
Performed by D.B. Night

User Reviews

Glad I finally watched it.

Well after years of the movie scaring me(I first saw parts when I was 3) I finally sat down and watched a little movie called "Child's Play" Boy am I glad I did. I watched #1 straight through to Bride, and can't wait for Seed. I will do this in a typical review format.

Story: 10/10

An original concept!?! Yes it is. A rarity these days. Serial killer Charles Lee Ray is being chased, after being mortally wounded he uses voodoo to transfer his spirit into the most populare child's toy on the market, the Good Guy's doll. He is purchased for young Andy Barclay, and soon after his baby sitter dies, and is Chucky his doll accused, of course not, Andy swears it was his doll. Chucky soon discovers that he is becoming human and has to transfer his soul to the body of the person he first told his true identity to, Andy!

Violence: 8/10

I liked the violence in the movie, but it didn't have enough in my taste, but don't get me wrong I love the movie enough to not care.

Language: 10/10

Horror movies should keep then language at about this level, and save the excessive swearing for comedies.

Main Villain: 11/10

Seriously, Chucky is the man. Both voices fit, and the effects used on him are perfect.

Effects: 10/10

Great effects, even by today's standards.

Overall: 10/10

I love this movie.

Buy or Rent: BUY!!