Chucky (TV SERIES)
Created by Don Mancini
★★½
CHUCKY -- "Death by Misadventure" Episode 101 -- Pictured: (l-r) Chucky, Zackary Arthur as Jake Wheeler -- (Photo by: Steve Wilkie/SYFY)
Tuesday, October 12 on SYFY (10-11 p.m. ET)
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2021 SYFY Media, LLC
Personally, I’ve always had a weird relationship with the Child’s Play ip. Though distinct in its tone, somehow being similar to both the Leprechaun series and a straightforward slasher simultaneously, the films (with the exception of the recent 2019 remake) have never quite worked for me, and I think that has to do with my preferences not necessarily lining up with the singular vision of the series’ creator Don Mancini.
Mancini also takes control of the new series (premiering simultaneously on SyFy and the USA Network October 12), though despite its uncomfortable familiarity, the series, titled simply Chucky, is more intriguing than the creepy ass doll’s past outings. People will also be happy to know the iconic Brad Dourif returns as the voice of Chucky and delivers, as expected, his menacing schlock. Also 90’s heartthrob Devon Sawa has returned from obscurity to play dual roles in the series.
Chucky makes a move to following young teens in middle school, rather than the usual 6 or 7 year old. This move is a refreshing choice for the series that often retreads it's well-trod territory. This jump creates a chance for Chucky to enter the ‘teen drama’ genre of television that surprisingly works. Sure, seeing horny 13-year-olds hookup, speak vulgarly and get murdered takes a little time to adapt to, but once you do, there is a fun, ham-fisted and surprisingly shocking good time.
The best and most surprising chance the show takes is implementing a queer love story at its center, which is honestly the best part of the show (sorry Chucky). Actors Zackary Arthur and Bjorgvin Arnarson are able to effectively capture the awkwardness of falling for someone for the first time. But the show handles it in such a matter of fact way, that it isn’t about to gay kids falling for each other, but just two normal kids and I love that (though there is some annoying cliche talk about queerness by one of the kid’s father in the pilot). Alyvia Alyn Lind is also quite fun to watch as the delightfully bitchy Lexy as well as her jock boyfriend Junior, played by Teo Briones, who plays a more empathetic, introverted jock than we are used to seeing.
Some of the characters are defined and some are cardboard cutouts of generic archetypes. The show doesn’t always succeed in portraying adolescents (seriously what 14 year old has font that big??), but manages to walk a thin line between entertainment and nuisance, and mostly lands on the side of the former.
While it still is a mess, like most of the other Mancini productions, Chucky manages to draw in more appeal with each episode, delivering unexpected outcomes to a well worn genre.
