Everyone’s favorite killer doll returns for more chaos in Chucky. Following the events of Cult of Chucky, Chucky has returned to his roots of Hackensack, New Jersey where he meets Jake Wheeler. A young man currently suffering from identity crisis among other things. As Jake finds out Chucky’s secret the latter in turn becomes invested in Jake’s life after witnessing his victimization at school creating an unexpected bond between them.

Chucky is a 2021 TV sequel of the original Child’s Play franchise, it is produced by Universal Content Productions. It currently airs Tuesday nights on USA Network & Syfy, episode one is available for free on USA’s YouTube channel.

Editor’s Note: Screener access to the pilot for Chucky was provided by NBC Universal in support of this review. Slight to medium spoilers for the first episode of Chucky as well as the overall Child’s Play lore may be present within this review.

I’ve been a huge fan of the Child’s Play franchise in my 30ish years of life. Ever since it scared the piss out of me as a kid when I was somewhat forced to watch the first film as it premiered on TV for the first time on USA Network ironically enough. Now over thirty years later Chucky has made his debut on TV as a new series based on the seven film franchise it originates from. In this TV sequel Chucky returns home to Hackensack where he’s looking to enact revenge while taking a friend a long for the ride.

THE GOOD: In the first episode of Chucky we’re introduced to Jake Wheeler a kid dealing with typical high school angst. A family that seemingly hates him, classmates that torture him, he’s dealing with an identity crisis as well as his recent coming out as gay, and as the episode goes on it becomes apparent that he has some mental health issues. This makes him a prime target for Chucky whom he purchases at a yard sale. If you recall the films left us with Chucky resolving to remain a killer doll (Seed of Chucky) and him growing a killer family & cult of devotees ( Curse & Cult of Chucky). Jake is an aspiring artist who uses discarded dolls for his art projects, his mother died in a car crash with his abusive father surviving. During a talent show Chucky reveals himself to Jake after the latter is informed of Chucky from a mysterious phone call. Chucky embarrasses one of Jake’s bullies at the show gaining Jake praise from his peers.

Later that night Jake and his father get into a heated discussion after Jake’s father destroys his art project feeling embarrassed by a visit from Jake’s uncle and his family. Chucky kills Jake’s dad via electrocution and Jake is sent to live with his wealthy uncle and cousin who hates him. As Jake unpacks he threatens Chucky who reveals himself in full and tries to get Jake to join his side. Episode one does an excellent job with character development, at least as far as Jake is concerned. And when you consider everyone else is a character type meant to increase Chucky’s (and Jake’s?) kill count it gets away with this. I’m sure Jake’s relationship with his cousin will improve especially if his reaction to the talent show was any indication. Jake also has a crush on his cousin’s best friend which will likely play a role on their relationship. 

As I said earlier we last left Chucky looking to build a cult & pseudo family and that continues here. The idea explored throughout the series will be Chucky attempting to lure Jake into his new cult. Possibly through possession or perhaps his own free will given Jake’s mental health. This is an interesting dynamic to Chucky’s past relationship with kids when he was either trying to kill them or take their soul including Andy, Tyler, and his own kid Glenn/Glenda. The latter is especially interesting due to them also being LGBT+ like Jake which could lead to a genuine bond between Jake & Chucky. There’s also hints that Glen/Glenda could return in the series as well. There was a surprising lack of kills instead focusing on character and world building for Jake and it’s Chucky’s turn next episode the latter of which is sure to he a treat for major fans.

THE BAD: One thing that annoyed me about the first episode and this isn’t exclusive to Chucky is the odd choice to include lyrical music. When I think Chucky I don’t think pop music that’ll get teenagers dancing. Maybe this was meant to be an on the nose joke and considering Don Mancini wrote & directed this episode that wouldn’t at all be too far fetched. If this was 100% intentional beyond a joking manner I hope this was just a one and done situation as it didn’t fit at all. I said this issue wasn’t exclusive to Chucky and what I mean by that is I’ve seen so many TV spinoffs/adaptions that do this same thing (namely horror) and it really takes you out of the immersion of it all. 

OVERAL THOUGHTS: Chucky’s first episode is an excellent piece of evidence that TV spinoffs can indeed work. It’s clear the series is intended to be a slow burn to build up Jake and to explore Chucky’s past which is fine. The side characters as of episode one feel a bit one note, but I’m sure they’ll be fleshed out later. Even if not they’re kind of just there for Chucky’s kill count which again is also fine. There was an odd decision to use pop music throughout the episode. I’m hoping this was just meant to be as a joke by Mancini as it doesn’t fit the series at all. That being said though with one episode in Chucky already impresses compared to past TV adaptations and as the remaining seven episodes air it has a ton of potential to go down as one of the greatest small screen adaptations ever. Otaku Dome gives Chucky “Death by Misadventure” a 90 out of 100.