I know it may be coming up to Christmas but horror has very quickly my favourite genre, so another horror review it is. Nightmare on Elm Street and Halloween Reviews are on their way!

Cult of Chucky is a direct sequel to the 2013 direct-to-video Curse of Chucky. Written and directed by Don Mancini, it stars many actors from previous installments, including Jennifer Tilly, Alex Vincent and Brad and Fiona Dourif. It follows Nica Pierce’s time in a mental hospital, after being charged with Chucky’s murders in Curse of Chucky. After having a limited release in cinemas, it was quickly distributed on Netflix and home release; this is usually a red flag, as it means that the film panned terribly critically and financially, and the distributor is trying to find any means possible to make money. Surprisingly, Cult of Chucky stands out among many films in this category and horror films in general.

The self-spoofing component works well for Cult – except when it doesn’t. Although its unique ability to laugh at itself is entertaining, it does fall victim to many horror cliches, such as the fake-out jumpscare, or stupid characters making stupid decisions. Its self criticism falls especially flat when Cult immediately indulges in the cliche it has just mocked. The light-hearted mood creates a tonally confusing movie; I could never understand which parts I was supposed to laugh at and at which moments I was supposed to be scared. Despite this, Cult does manage to create some tense moments with creative kills, which are, of course, always followed by a famous Chucky one-liner.

There is a definitive style to Cult, closely matching the style of Curse, except with a higher budget. The cinematography does lack consistency as it can range from plain, boring mid-shots to more elaborate and artistic shots. The effects can be puzzling, as rather than opting for practical effects or digital effects, they poorly mix the two together, creating a paradox;  something that both looks incredibly realistic but also incredibly fake. Luckily, shots like these don’t last for too long, so only those with a keen eye would notice.

The acting is remarkable – particularly for a horror film, as I can only imagine the difficulty of acting to a doll. It helps bring to life the eccentric characters, and make the absurd situation more believable, if only a little. Fiona Dourif as Nica Pierce, stands out as one of the better actors, and Brad Dourif, as Chucky, is particularly exceptional in this installment.

Regardless of its flaws, Cult is an enjoyable horror flick. Its ability to laugh at itself means it’s perfect for fans well acquainted with the series. It’s also perfect for fans of the horror genre, as, despite the humour, there are more than enough hair-raising moments. Overall, as long as you don’t question it too much, Cult of Chucky can make for a perfect night in.