The Dollmaker (2019) – Fans of Pet Sematary/Black Mirror/TZ, Watch This Now! Free Screener Inside – A Fitz of Horror Review

Bob Coldicott (Gothic Bob) April 8, 2019

Synopsis- A grieving mother latches on to a magical surrogate for her lost child. But small miracles come with big consequences.

I’m gushing about this amazing short film, so here’s the screener. Watch it first and then continue reading below, as to avoid any spoiling.

Let me explain the title of the article. I worry that you may be asking “Black Mirror?! How is it like Black Mirror?” Well, the big thing about Black Mirror is the “technology aspect” and how it will ruin us. There’s no trace of that here but this film speaks to the human condition and how vulnerable we are when it comes to emotional attachments and indulgences. The Dollmaker shines a light on the beauty of our delicate vulnerabilities. Like Pet Sematary it states, that if given the chance, people would defy nature to stitch their own mortal wounds…and at great risk. Like Black Mirror (or maybe The Twilight Zone), people are incapable of restraint and what seems like a good idea ends up worse for the wear.

Daniel Martin Berkey as The Dollmaker with Perri Lauren and Sean Meehan as Jenna and Rick Deyton.

Rick and Jenna Deyton experience the loss of their child, the film opens with a postmortem shot of the boy in his casket . The Dollmaker gives specific instruction on what he needs. The apprehensive parents see the result, a doll which becomes the boy (at least via the mind’s eye) when touched. Rick is skeptical and after a single, unheeded warning from the Dollmaker, things get worse for everyone. The twist at the end is a pleasant but crushing “woah” moment that makes this Alan Lougher short profound. It’s not so much a horror as it is a psychological…two ton heavy thing.

The cinematography, acting (clearly the direction, as well), editing, sound & score are all top quality and on-point. The Dollmaker is eerily wonderful and mournfully soul-crushing all in a 9-minute beautiful package. It’s easily one of the best films I’ve seen this year, the best short I’ve seen this year and as an actor & producer myself, the type of project I would want to be involved with/in. With shorts, I ask “could it be a feature?” I’m not sure with this one. It is, however, a stellar appetizer that makes you want to skip the main course. I’ve gone heavy with analogies and I apologize but this is one of those films where I hope you watch it, read the review and then tell me what you thought of it afterward. I really do. Kudos to Alter, Director Al Lougher, the writer Matias Caruso, the producers and everyone else on this film. Loved it.

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