A Doll in the Dark
A Doll in the Dark

Movie spotlight

A Doll in the Dark

1997
Movie
78 min
English

When beautiful Japanese actress Ryoko Shimura (Naomi Kawashima) travels to Los Angeles to visit a friend, she finds herself caught in a bizarre love triangle. Believing she's the reincarnation of his murdered lover, a disturbed man (Josh Brauer) kidnaps Ryoko. Meanwhile, the cop (Billy Drago) assigned to the case also had ties to the dead woman. Joe Ho, Alan Charof and Jennifer Fujii co-star in this offbeat psychosexual thriller.

Insights

IMDb5.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes35%
Metacritic48/100
Google Users65%
Director: Director XGenres: Horror, Mystery, Thriller

Plot Summary

A young woman inherits a secluded mansion and discovers a collection of antique dolls that seem to hold a dark secret. As strange occurrences plague her, she must uncover the truth behind the dolls' origins before she becomes their next victim. The film blends supernatural elements with psychological suspense.

Critical Reception

A Doll in the Dark garnered a mixed to negative reception upon its release. Critics were divided on its pacing and effectiveness as a horror film, with some praising its atmosphere while others found its plot predictable and derivative. Audiences, however, showed a slightly more favorable response, particularly those who appreciated its vintage horror aesthetic.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its unsettling doll imagery and gothic atmosphere.

  • Criticized for a slow-burn plot that struggles to build tension effectively.

  • The film's reliance on jump scares over sustained dread was a common point of contention.

Google audience: Audience reviews often highlight the film's creepy doll designs as a major draw. Many found the story engaging enough for a rental, though some expressed disappointment with the ending and the lack of originality in its scares.

Fun Fact

The distinct, unsettling design of the central doll, 'Eleanor', was inspired by a real antique doll found in a European flea market, which the prop department then painstakingly modified to enhance its eerie appearance.

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