Chucky Season 2 Review: More Chuckys Equals More Campy Goodness

All three seasons of "Chucky" are currently viewable on Shudder. The TV show picks up where the eight movies leave off. There's lots of crossover between both the movies and the series (which makes for tons of fun Easter eggs). "Chucky" is one of the most cohesive horror franchises out there. That's because Don Mancini has been at the helm the whole time.

Season 2 has a 92% (critics) and 85% (audiences) on Rotten Tomatoes (so very high). See my previous reviews here

To catch you up to speed (because it's very confusing), the Chucky doll is evil and likes to kill people in horrible, gruesome ways. That's because the soul of serial killer Charles Lee Ray possesses the doll. Chucky has been voiced by Brad Dourif since the beginning (except for one film where Mark Hamill took over).

Charles' girlfriend Tiffany Valentine's soul was put into a doll by Chucky via a voodoo curse. They have a non binary doll child named Glen/Glenda. More on them later. Tiffany ends up inhabiting the body of actress Jennifer Tilly (but of course Jennifer's friends and family dont know this).

The TV series focuses on Chucky terrorizing three teenagers-- Jake (Zachary Arthur), Devon Bjorgvin Amarson) and Lexy (Alyvia Alyn Lind). Jake and Devon have a budding romantic relationship. Lexy is initially a mean girl but later becomes their friend. Chucky eventually kills everyone close to the kids-- Jake's abusive father, Devon's mother, Lexy's father, Lexy's boyfriend Junior etc.

Jake, Devon and Lexy are blamed for the deaths. They are sent to a Catholic reform school for troubled teens (instead of juvie). The Church of the Incarnate Lord turns out to have previously been the Burlington County Home for Wayward Boys. This is the same facility that Charles Lee Ray was in years earlier. Chucky is not far behind.

Chucky's plan in season 1 was to raise an army of Good Guy Dolls and take over the world. Andy (from Child's Play 2) tried to thwart his plans by driving the truckload of dolls off a cliff. It looked like Andy and the dolls died in the explosion (but we know that's not true).

I continue to love all the fan service and inside jokes the show provides. Case in point Devon Sawa returns to the series. Last season he was twin brothers (Jake's father and uncle). This time he is Father Bryce (no relation).

My favorite episode of the season was episode 4 "Death on Denial". Tiffany (disguised as Jennifer Tilly) throws an 18th birthday party for Glen and Glenda (played by Lachlan Watson from "Chilling Adventures of Sabrina"). Who arrives but Jennifer's old "Bound" costars Gina Gershon and Joe Pantoliano. There are several shot by shot remakes of several scenes from "Bound". Hopefully most of the viewers caught them. Jennifer's IRL sister Meg Tiffy (who won a Golden Globe for "Agnes of God") also arrives. She knows something is wrong with her sister (because it's Tiff just pretending to be her sister). Sutton Stracke who is Jennifer's IRL best fiend and costar on "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" also attends. Hilarity ensues. After a actor who was playing a butler is murdered, Jennifer/Tiffany declares the party a murder mystery party. Too funny!

Tiff tries to keep Nica hidden from the others. Nica is a paralyzed woman that was terrorized by Chucky in previous movies. Chucky ended up possessing her body. Chucky surfaces if Nica sees blood. Nica is played by Fiona Dourif (who is Brad Dourif's daughter IRL). Tiff has held Nica/Chucky captive for years and ended up cutting off her arms and legs so she/Chucky couldn't escape. It's all crazy stuff.

I enjoyed the exorcism scenes and the references to "The Exorcist". Trying to do an exorcism on a doll is hilarious. It's also a way to get all the core characters together. Andy and Kyle return to help with the fight. You also have Dr Mixter (Rosemary Dunsmore). Remember she was Caroline's (Lexy's little sister) therapist? Turns out she was Charles Lee Ray's therapist years ago? That woman is really playing a long game. You've also got a whacky nun that believes Chucky is the second coming of Jesus.

I remember wondering if this season might be offensive to more religious viewers. But there is plenty of other stuff about this show to be offended by. The "Chucky" franchise is the most "gay positive" series out there. You have Jake and Devon's relationship. You have the relationship between Tiffany and Nica/Chucky. You have Glen and Glenda. You have Gina and Joe fighting over Jennifer (which each saying they have a long term relationship with her. And the list could go on and on.

Special kudos to the puppeteers. Chucky never looked better. I really appreciate that the show does not rely on CGI for the doll. When you see Chucky it's actually 6-8 puppeteers controlling his actions. After all these years, they definitely have it down to a science.

I wont give away all the details of the ending but suffice to say season 3 of "Chucky" so we havent seen the last of this pint sized serial killer.

Grade: 4 1/2 (out of 5) Monsters. The change in scenery for the "core 3" and intro of new supporting characters helped freshen up the series. I'm still LOVING the campiness of this franchise. My favorite is episode is "Death on Denial" where Jennifer/Tiffany throws a birthday party for Glen and Glenda and all her IRL pals show up. The exorcism in the finale was also a hoot. My only criticism is the pacing seemed a bit off at times.