By Jacob Cameron

Dolly is a horror film that takes a few beats from the Texas Chainsaw Massacre playbook. There have been many films that have borrowed liberally from the Tobe Hooper classic to varying degrees of success. On the surface, there’s not much to say about this film beyond its influences. But this was a pleasant surprise, to say the least.

Dolly was directed by Rod Blackhurst, who is primarily known for directing the short film that inspired 2024’s Night Swim. The film stars Fabianne Therese as Macy, a young woman who is traveling with her boyfriend on a romantic getaway. The pair are attacked in the woods by a deranged individual dressed as a mother, complete with a broken mask. The individual, known as the titular Dolly, treats Macy like a baby as a means of torture. Macy must find a way out while not incurring the further wrath of Dolly.

Immediate praise should be leveled at the atmosphere of the film. From the very first shot, the film grounds itself in a grisly and gruesome reality. The film was shot on a 16MM film, which adds to the grisly experience. Fabianne Therese does a good job alongside Seann William Scott in a minor role. The most praise should be given to Max Lindsey , independent pro wrestler Max the Impaler, who plays the titular Dolly. Their physical performance was very well done and should receive more roles in the future.

The influence of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre does show quite clearly, as mentioned. There is even a character named Tobe, played by veteran character actor Ethan Suplee. Tobe acts quite similarly to one of Leatherface’s kin. The amount of similarities between the two films can be distracting, and it diminishes from the overall quality. When the film does try for more original scares, these don’t always work. As an example, Macy jumps out of a window at a point in the film, which triggers a CGI effect that is highly questionable, with most of the CGI being mediocre at best.

The film has a level of gruesomeness that will be off-putting to some without question. This gruesomeness is both a blessing and a curse for the film. There is a clear intent to make the audience feel uncomfortable, and in certain cases, it succeeds . This can be seen as a negative, but it nevertheless serves as a warning. There are some deeply disturbing moments seen on screen. That which combine with potential implications made about certain characters can lead to some deeply unpleasant feelings.

Ultimately, this film is a mixed bag, with enough good elements to give a modest recommendation. Fabianne Therese and Max Lindsey are the standouts for performances. Additionally, there are enough good horror moments to make it worthwhile. The person who is debating on watching this film will have to know their limits when considering watching the film. But if one has the stomach for something like this, then give it a chance.

3 stars