A woman is kidnapped deep in the woods and must fight for her survival in the gritty Dolly, playing at Fantastic Fest 2025.
Dolly is the kind of horror film that’s for the advanced viewer only. The kind of film that takes its inspiration from the 70s era grindhouse horror, directed by Wes Craven and Tobe Hooper. The shot-on-film, the take-no-prisoners film, is sure to be a crowd-pleaser at Fantastic Fest.
Chase and Macy (Sean William Scott and Fabianne Therese) simple hike into the woods of Chase’s childhood goes terribly awry when they come into contact with Dolly (Max the Impaler). Chase and Macy become a part of Dolly’s sick, violent, twisted game in her home, now Macy’s prison. Macy must figure out a way to not just endure but outsmart Dolly if she is to survive this game with seemingly no rules and demented consequences.
Make no mistake, Dolly is not for the weak at heart. 70s era Craven is not just a reference point but a warning to a viewer for the kind of transcendent horror film one is in store for. There is a sadistic streak a mile wide in this film. One that does not relish but certainly dives deep into the violence and gore of the story. The fate of Sean William Scott’s character alone is enough for many with weaker constitutions to turn away.
Those who are horror proficient will be treated to an expertly executed horror film. One that uses its stylistic homages (shooting on film, backwoods settings, artful production design, amazing gore FX) to invoke that feeling and aesthetic of the grindhouse/drive-in heyday, though the film is set in the modern era. Credit is due to co-writer/director Rob Blackhurt, cinematographer Justin Derry, and co-writer Brandon Weavil for their understanding of the ebbs and flows required of this kind of venture into horror.
Dolly may not be for everyone, but for those attuned to its specific vibe, will find a new horror film to obsess over.
Dolly plays Fantastic Fest 2025 on September 21st and September 25th
A woman is kidnapped deep in the woods and must fight for her survival in the gritty Dolly, playing at Fantastic Fest 2025.
Dolly is the kind of horror film that’s for the advanced viewer only. The kind of film that takes its inspiration from the 70s era grindhouse horror, directed by Wes Craven and Tobe Hooper. The shot-on-film, the take-no-prisoners film, is sure to be a crowd-pleaser at Fantastic Fest.
Chase and Macy (Sean William Scott and Fabianne Therese) simple hike into the woods of Chase’s childhood goes terribly awry when they come into contact with Dolly (Max the Impaler). Chase and Macy become a part of Dolly’s sick, violent, twisted game in her home, now Macy’s prison. Macy must figure out a way to not just endure but outsmart Dolly if she is to survive this game with seemingly no rules and demented consequences.
Make no mistake, Dolly is not for the weak at heart. 70s era Craven is not just a reference point but a warning to a viewer for the kind of transcendent horror film one is in store for. There is a sadistic streak a mile wide in this film. One that does not relish but certainly dives deep into the violence and gore of the story. The fate of Sean William Scott’s character alone is enough for many with weaker constitutions to turn away.
Those who are horror proficient will be treated to an expertly executed horror film. One that uses its stylistic homages (shooting on film, backwoods settings, artful production design, amazing gore FX) to invoke that feeling and aesthetic of the grindhouse/drive-in heyday, though the film is set in the modern era. Credit is due to co-writer/director Rob Blackhurt, cinematographer Justin Derry, and co-writer Brandon Weavil for their understanding of the ebbs and flows required of this kind of venture into horror.
Dolly may not be for everyone, but for those attuned to its specific vibe, will find a new horror film to obsess over.
Dolly plays Fantastic Fest 2025 on September 21st and September 25th
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