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Movies / On DVD / Child's Play
Child's Play

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Child's Play (1988)

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Reviews Counted:27

Fresh:19

Rotten:8

Average Rating:6.3/10

Runtime: 90 mins

Genre: Horror/Suspense

Synopsis: The Lake Shore Strangler, a mass murderer who has plagued the Chicago area for months, meets his untimely end when he gets shot in a toy warehouse. Left for dead, the killer summons the strength to... The Lake Shore Strangler, a mass murderer who has plagued the Chicago area for months, meets his untimely end when he gets shot in a toy warehouse. Left for dead, the killer summons the strength to recite a voodoo chant which causes his soul to be "reincarnated" into one of the dolls resting on the shelves. The incantation also sparks an unnatural lightning storm, and when lightning hits the warehouse, it burns to the ground. Only one doll survives: the doll possessed by the killer's soul. Later, a mother innocently buys this doll as a present for her son. At first, everything seems fine, but soon the doll starts communicating with the young boy. Then he slays the child's babysitter. That's only the first of his many gruesome exploits, however. So watch out...because just when you think Chucky's gone--he might be coming back. Horror master Tom Holland (FRIGHT NIGHT) directs this horror classic that spawned several sequels. [More]

Starring: Catherine Hicks, Chris Sarandon, Brad Dourif

Starring: Catherine Hicks, Chris Sarandon, Brad Dourif

Director: Tom Holland

Director: Tom Holland

[See More Credits]

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Reviews for Child's Play

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1 - 20 (sorted by fresh rating; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 >> >|
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Holland's sure handling of the suspense and shock moments lends the film a sharp and scary edge.

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
02/09/06
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

It's nothing wildly original, but it is pacey and entertaining when it gets going.

Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
10/21/08
Kim Newman
Kim Newman
Empire Magazine
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

It does, however, have some decent scares, a lot of good lines and a memorable villain.

Full Review Source: Channel 4 Film | comment Comment
10/21/08
Richard Luck
Richard Luck
Channel 4 Film
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

[A] clever, playful thriller.

Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
08/30/04
Caryn James
Caryn James
New York Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

For what it is and the era in which it was forged, Child's Play is a solid scary movie.

Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment Comment
01/01/00
Christopher Null
Christopher Null
Filmcritic.com

An inadvertently silly but effective shocker. Director Tom Holland definitely knows how to spin a scary yarn.

comment Comment
03/04/06
Chuck O'Leary
Chuck O'Leary
FulvueDrive-in.com

With humor taking a backseat to good, old-fashioned suspense, Child's Play is an impressive horror highlight of the late-'80s film scene.

Full Review Source: DustinPutman.com | comment Comment
10/15/08
Dustin Putman
Dustin Putman
DustinPutman.com

Insidiously effective.

Full Review Source: Combustible Celluloid | comment Comment
09/18/08
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Combustible Celluloid

One of the few decent entries in the slasher genre.

comment Comment
07/26/02
Jeffrey Westhoff
Jeffrey Westhoff
Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL)

'Child's Play' is one of the scariest movies ever.

Full Review Source: ESplatter | comment Comment
09/27/08
Lucius Gore
Lucius Gore
ESplatter

A gem, with one of the best "sudden reveals" ever committed to celluloid

comment Comment
09/09/04
Luke Y. Thompson
Luke Y. Thompson
New Times

Director Tom Holland keeps things moving without rushing them. Unfortunately, Child's Play gets a little ugly at the end.

Full Review Source: Washington Post | comment Comment
01/01/00
Richard Harrington
Richard Harrington
Washington Post

A deluge of wretched sequels has diminshed what was originally a nifty little horror film.

comment Comment
08/30/02
Rob Vaux
Rob Vaux
Flipside Movie Emporium

Child's Play is a cheerfully energetic horror film of the slam-bang school, but slicker and more clever than most.

Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times | comment Comment
01/01/00
Roger Ebert
Roger Ebert
Chicago Sun-Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

No review available.

comment Comment
05/05/05
Ryan Cracknell
Ryan Cracknell
Movie Views

While the sequels may have gotten progressively more campy, I'm pleased to note that the original Child's Play holds up just as well as I'd hoped. (And the new DVD rocks.)

Full Review Source: FEARnet | comment Comment
09/10/08
Scott Weinberg
Scott Weinberg
FEARnet

No review available.

comment Comment
12/25/03
Spence D.
Spence D.
IGN Movies

°classic horror

Full Review Source: sbs.is | comment Comment
04/16/05
Stefan Birgir Stefansson
Stefan Birgir Stefansson
sbs.is

Even after twenty years, Child's Play shows no ring rust. The little flick plays just as well now as it did in its heyday.

Full Review Source: Dread Central | comment Comment
09/05/08
Uncle Creepy
Uncle Creepy
Dread Central

Is anyone ever going to make a really good movie about toys coming to life to kill people?

Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | comment Comment
10/21/08
TV Guide's Movie Guide
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by fresh rating; UK critics are listed first)
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Latest News for Child's Play

September 09, 2008: Child's Play Partners Look Back, Discuss Remake Opens in new window
A brand new 20th anniversary edition of "Child's Play" hits store shelves today; to celebrate, Don Mancini and David Kirschner talked with ShockTillYouDrop about the little... More...

August 22, 2008: Weekly Ketchup: Superman gets rebooted, Poltergeist gets remade
This week's Ketchup bottle has news about a Superman franchise reboot, and remakes of Poltergeist, Child's Play, and Highlander. More...

October 23, 2007: Here Comes a Child's Play Remake
Well, we knew it was only a matter of time, right? Shock Till You Drop reports that Child's Play producer David Kirschner is preparing to give his franchise the remake/reboot... More...

See All

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