Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich

Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich, a 2018 American horror comedy film directed by Sonny Laguna and Tommy Wiklund, is a thrilling new addition to the Puppet Master franchise. A compelling blend of horror, comedy, and grotesque puppetry, the film stars established actors such as Thomas Lennon, Jenny Pellicer, and Nelson Franklin, who maneuver their way through a finely tuned narrative, painstakingly shaped by screenwriter S. Craig Zahler.

Our protagonist, played by Lennon, is a disarmingly casual, recently divorced comic book artist named Edgar. Upon returning to his childhood home after his divorce, Edgar discovers a grotesque puppet inside his deceased brother's room. Driven by an irrational curiosity and the thrill of exploiting such an eccentric find, Edgar decides to sell it at a convention celebrating the 30th anniversary of the infamous Toulon Murders.

The convention is a chilling homage to Andre Toulon, the sinister puppeteer from the original Puppet Master Series. Toulon is famously remembered for his creation of murderous marionettes, lending a foreboding element to the event's festivities. Jenny Pellicer plays Edgar's new girlfriend, Ashley, who decides to accompany Edgar on this eerie excursion despite her initial reservations.

The storyline is further bolstered by Nelson Franklin comically embodying Edgar's best friend and comic book store boss, Markowitz. His nerdy disposition and his unquestionable loyalty to his friend add a humanizing element to the predominantly horrifying narrative, making the audience care about these characters' fates.

Once at the convention, the attendees begin to experience unnatural, horrific occurrences. Edgar's puppet, along with others offered for auction at the convention, starts coming alive with a motive as deadly as their creator's legacy. Being inhabited by a malevolent force, they embark on a killing spree, targeting specific convention attendees for reasons that are slowly unraveled.

The film pushes boundaries when it comes to horror, gore, and puppet play. The unique murder scenes are shocking, relentless, and graphic, truly reinstating puppets' iconic status in the horror genre. The sheer number of individuals who meet their demise in appalling, spectacularly twisted manners underscores the unyielding thrill that seeps into every frame of the film.

Controversial, unapologetic, and audaciously violent, Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich manages to create an invigorating new world while paying homage to its source material. The character design and the practical effects used for the puppets are top-notch, making these lifeless killers more terrifying than ever. They may be miniature in size but make no mistake; their path of destruction is vastly extensive.

However, what truly sets Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich apart is the dark humor coursing subtly throughout the film. It acknowledges its amusing concept and embraces it wholeheartedly. Creepy puppets murdering people might come off as laughable, but it is this laughter that the movie uses to its advantage. It constantly juxtaposes ghastly scenes of bloodshed with absurdly amusing moments of marionette malice, adding a distinct quirkiness to the picture.

With Thomas Lennon as the somewhat reluctant hero, Jenny Pellicer as the optimistic love interest, and Nelson Franklin as the loyal friend, we get a trio of characters who are easy to root for in this violent puppet pandemonium. Their performances only add to the stellar horror-comedy blend, with each character bringing something unique to the table. The chemistry amongst the lead trio makes it easier for viewers to be drawn into their bizarre predicament.

Overall, Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich is a cult horror gem that isn't afraid to tap into its bizarre potential, delivering a plethora of blood, jest, and twisted puppetry. It takes the viewer on an unexpected journey, filled with laugh-out-loud moments, grisly puppet attacks, and subtle character development, all wrapped in a horror-laden premise. It's a ride into the wickedly imaginative world of Andre Toulon and his murderous marionettes, one that's worth taking for any fan of the horror and comedy genre crossover.