Chucky Episode 1 Review (TV Series, 2021)
content warning: blood, gore, homophobia, grieving, animal cruelty/death, foul language
Whoever had “a new Chucky series canon to the Child’s Play films” on their 2021 bingo card got really lucky. That is, in fact, what writer/director Don Mancini is bringing to the table with the new Chucky series, airing on both SyFy and USA.
Jake Webber is a 14-year-old aspiring artist. His chosen medium is sculptures with dolls. He picks up a Good Guy doll named Chucky at a yard sale and can’t figure out how to actually take it apart. Soon enough, Chucky starts talking and has claimed a new best friend. When Jake tries to sell the doll to fund a summer art program, he receives a concerning phone call from someone who knows a bit too much about Chucky and his past to be ignored.
Don Mancini assembled a talented team of writers, directors, and film artists to help bring his new vision of the series to life. He wrote and directed the season premiere and it feels like a brand new Child’s Play film in the best ways possible.
Jake is a bit of a loner. He’s ostracized by his wealthier peers at the middle school for being gay. This pushes his father to lash out in unpredictable ways, as his own homophobia goes down to the bone. Jake’s aunt and uncle are a little better about it, but his cousin Junior makes it a point to bully him every chance he gets for his sexuality.
It’s not all negative, though. Jake is flirting a bit with Devon, a classmate who runs a true crime podcast all about the covered up murders in their hometown of Hackensack. The school is on Jake’s side, as well, mostly. Some things can’t be ignored even if they put a bully in their proper place.
The technical quality of the series is excellent. Chucky looks great. It’s a mix of practical and digital effects and it looks real. The digital elements really just allow for a little more fine motor control of the doll and it’s worth it. The sound, score, editing, and cinematography build so much tension. You know Chucky is doing something without having to see him do it and it works beautifully for the show.
The biggest noticeable difference between Chucky and the theatrical Child’s Play films is the violence. There are still things you can’t show on TV and the episode is cleverly edited to not directly show any of the violence occur. You’ll hear it. You’ll know it’s happening. You just won’t get to see it while it happens. The aftermath? As much as they can show. It’s surprisingly effective.
What’s not missing is the adult language. Chucky is not being censored by the networks. As revealed at a Q&A at the world premiere screening at New York Comic Con, each episode of the series can feature up to 10 uses of the f word. Other swear words are used, as well. The premiere episode only features one f word, but do not expect any monkey-fighting snakes on this TV series.
The characters and stories set up in the first episode surrounding Jake are enough to carry a season of a TV series, for sure. The final sequence teases something never before seen in the Child’s Play series. Ever wonder about Charles Lee Ray’s childhood? You’re going to learn all about it in Chucky.
The coming soon for the series shows us that Chucky will not be the only returning character on the series. Jennifer Tilly is heavily featured, and both Tilly and Don Mancini encouraged the audience at NYCC to “keep watching” when asked about Tiffany, Glen/Glenda, and many other characters. The series is confirmed to be canon with all the films (Seed of Chucky included), with Alex Vincent already reprising his role as Andy for the phone call scene and more connections to come.
Chucky is airing on SyFy and USA Network on Tuesday nights.
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Check out the NYCC 2021 gallery here.
