Killer doll “Chucky” is back
Season two refines the recipe for success
“A Clockwork Orange” says hello: In season two, “Chucky” not only quotes its own film series with a lot of charm.
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The first season of the “Chucky” series turned out to be an amazingly profound surprise hit. Can round two keep up?
A bloodbath in the cinema, amputated body parts and a whole army of rampaging “Good Guy” dolls: For fans of the horrendous gait, the finale of the first season “Chucky” was a single highlight. But the premiere season, which comprised eight episodes, also knew how to convince audiences and critics in general – not only thanks to the considerable kill count of the killer doll, who has been murdering her way through pop culture for 35 years now.
The “Chucky” series, which was once again penned by franchise creator Don Mancini (59), combines red-hot topics such as bullying, homophobia and (sexual) identity with the deep black humor of the film series. She also provides old fan favorites and new insights into the antagonist Charles Lee Ray aka Chucky, once again embodied by veteran Brad Dourif (72). The eight episodes of season two, which celebrate their German premiere every Thursday at 8:15 p.m. on pay-TV broadcaster SYFY and on-demand on Sky, among others, from January 26, hit the same note with thieving joy.
What was and how does it continue (spoiler-free)?
Due to the abundance of characters, almost as many deaths and various cliffhangers, it is quite difficult to summarize the first season. As the story progresses, a young trio has emerged as the driving force behind the good: Jake Wheeler (Zackary Arthur, 16), a teenage high school student who got the plot started in the first place when he found the Chucky doll at a flea market. Devon Evans (Björgvin Arnarson, 17), Jake’s classmate and later partner. As well as Lexy Cross (Alyvia Alyn Lind, 15), who has blossomed from Jake’s bullying nemesis into a key ally in the fight against Chucky. The three get help from, among others, Andy Barclay (Alex Vincent, 41), Chucky’s first owner from the original 1988 film.
On the opposite side, next to said murderer doll, is his “conbrutal” bride Tiffany Valentine – as played in the films and in a wacky double role by Jennifer Tilly (64). In the first season, Tiffany was as crazy and vicious as ever. As the finale progressed, however, her madness increasingly turned to her murderous doll friend.
The meeting of all parties in the showdown of the first season turned out to be bloody: Chucky had managed to set up an entire army of killer dolls. Tiffany demonstrated that there are fates worse than death. And the trio of heroes faced a highly uncertain future.
Season two starts about half a year after these events. Orphaned Jake has since found a home with a new foster family and no longer lives in the town of Hackensack but in Salem, also in the state of New Jersey. But neither he nor Devon nor Lexy are spared from the past for long. Chucky keeps harassing her with threatening phone calls. Consequently, it doesn’t take long before the next loved one ends up as a corpse – and the trio ends up as punishment in a Catholic facility where a certain Charles Lee Ray was once up to mischief.
Once again, it’s the mix that makes the difference
With the both nostalgic and progressive orientation of the “Chucky” series, Don Mancini has succeeded in creating an unusual fan camp. Devotees of the long-running franchise hailed the series for its numerous references to the seven films (excluding the 2019 remake) and for the feat of letting Chucky still find creative ways to kill. Not to mention the exaggerated charm of the original and the vulgar one-liners of the title character. The LGBTQ+ community, meanwhile, is enthusiastic about the prominent representation, for example by the homosexual main character of the series.
Without wanting to give too much away, season two continues in both areas in an innovative way and takes up the plot of “Seed of Chucky” from 2004. All in all, fans can welcome a non-binary character, portrayed by non-binary “Chilling Adventures of Sabrina” star Lachlan Watson (21). Those who prefer to watch the series in the English original can also look forward to the voice of a famous hobbit. And movie buffs in general will spot one or the other endearing homage to a classic – like “A Clockwork Orange” or “Apocalypse Now”.
Lots to discover – or catch up
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that lateral entrants into the “Chucky” cosmos must have seen at least the first season of the series, otherwise they are hopelessly lost. In view of the countless Easter eggs and returnees from the film series, the second season can also be seen as a good reason to invite people to the humorous “Chucky” film marathon in advance. Then the series can unfold its full nostalgia potential without any loss of friction.
A look at the USA, where the second season has already been broadcast in its entirety, proves that it’s worth it. In direct response to the US finals, the hashtag “RenewChuckyUSA Network and SYFY have since heard that wish, recently announcing that the plastic beast will indeed return: “See you in 2023 to what Chucky himself promises , to become his scariest season ever,” Mancini announced on behalf of his cult figure. The morbid fascination for the bloodthirsty little doll seems to be greater after exactly 35 years than it has been for a long time.