Brandon Christensen’s The Puppetman arrives with a premise steeped in classic horror tradition: a condemned killer insists he’s merely a puppet for an evil force, and his daughter must confront the chilling possibility that his claim is true. The film, distributed by Shudder and clocking in at a brisk 96 minutes, attempts to blend supernatural horror with coming-of-age drama, but the results are as uneven as they are grisly.
A Familiar Story with a Supernatural Twist
The film opens with a jolt-a husband, seemingly possessed, murders his wife in front of their young daughter, Michal. Years later, Michal (Alyson Gorske) is a college student haunted by her father’s infamy and the trauma of her childhood. As her father faces execution, Michal’s life spirals when her friends begin dying in brutal, inexplicable ways. The deaths are not mere accidents; they’re orchestrated by a malevolent force that may have been passed down to her, making Michal both a victim and a potential vessel for evil.
Performances and Characters
Alyson Gorske delivers a committed performance as Michal, anchoring the film with a blend of vulnerability and resolve. Her chemistry with the supporting cast-particularly Angel Prater as her roommate Charlie and Kio Cyr as her love interest Danny-brings some warmth to the otherwise cold, foreboding atmosphere. The group dynamic among the college friends echoes the familiar beats of slasher and supernatural horror, with rooftop parties, late-night séances, and secrets that inevitably lead to disaster.
Atmosphere and Kills: Where The Puppetman Shines
Christensen’s direction is at its best during the film’s set pieces. The library fire and gym sequences stand out for their intensity and inventive violence, delivering the kind of gnarly, over-the-top deaths that genre fans crave. The film doesn’t shy away from gore, and its most shocking moments are visually arresting, if not always narratively justified.
Shortcomings: Pacing, Originality, and Emotional Depth
Despite its promising setup, The Puppetman struggles to distinguish itself from its influences. The film’s first act is sluggish, taking nearly half an hour before the supernatural elements kick in, which may test the patience of viewers expecting a more immediate payoff. The plot, while serviceable, leans heavily on tropes from films like Final Destination and A Nightmare on Elm Street, making the story feel derivative rather than fresh.
Critics note that while the film aspires to subvert possession-horror conventions, it ultimately falls short of delivering a truly satisfying narrative. The emotional core-Michal’s struggle with her family’s legacy and her own potential for darkness-never fully resonates, leaving the film feeling more like a patchwork of familiar horror beats than a cohesive, original story.
Reception: Divided but Not Disastrous
Reception to The Puppetman has been mixed. Some reviewers praise its resourceful use of character and mood, and its willingness to embrace grisly violence. Others find it lacking in direction and emotional impact, with a finale that feels abrupt and unearned. With an IMDb rating hovering around 5.3/10, the film lands squarely in the middle of the horror pack: not a failure, but far from a standout.
“A supernatural shocker that boasts some of the year’s most brutal moments in horror. Condenses an entire season of television into an hour-and-a-half feature.”
Final Thoughts
The Puppetman is a workmanlike horror film that delivers on gore and atmosphere but falters in originality and emotional engagement. It’s a decent watch for fans of supernatural slashers who don’t mind familiar territory and are in it for the kills rather than the story. If you’re looking for the next great possession film, you may want to look elsewhere-but if you’re in the mood for a bloody, trope-filled ride, The Puppetman offers just enough to keep you entertained for its short runtime.
Rating: 3/5
You can watch on: