The Puppet

A young woman, haunted by a traumatic childhood event involving a sentient puppet, returns to her estranged family home. She discovers that the malevolent entity from her past has followed her and is now targeting her loved ones. With the help of a skeptical local detective, she must confront her deepest fears and unravel the dark history of the puppet to save herself and her family from its sinister grip.

The Puppet received mixed to positive reviews, with critics praising its unsettling atmosphere and strong performances, particularly from Sophia Lillis and Ethan Hawke. However, some found the plot predictable and the horror elements derivative of earlier genre films. Audience reception was generally favorable, appreciating its suspenseful build-up and jump scares.

• Praised for its creepy atmosphere and unsettling imagery.

• Sophia Lillis and Ethan Hawke deliver compelling performances.

• Some critics noted a lack of originality in its horror tropes.

Google audience: Audiences found 'The Puppet' to be a genuinely scary and suspenseful horror film that effectively uses its premise to create tension. While some felt it relied on familiar horror beats, the overall consensus pointed to strong acting and a disturbing central antagonist as major strengths.

Nominated for Best Horror Film at the Critics' Choice Awards.

The design of the titular puppet was inspired by antique marionettes and was intentionally crafted to have a slightly off-putting, yet childlike appearance to enhance its creepiness.