There are certain horror franchises that seem to have infinite staying power; standing the test of time not only through frequent sequels, but also fervent fanbases. Living With Chucky takes an intimate, comprehensive look at one such iconic set of films, and one of the most lovable villains of all time.

Director Kyra Gardner crafts a loving, informative memoir of the entire Child’s Play franchise, conducting interviews with cast and crew from all the films, as well as other celebrities such as Abigail Breslin, Marlon Wayans, and former Fangoria editor Tony Timpone. Gardner adds a unique perspective to an impressively educational, and surprisingly emotional documentary that provides a wealth of information, without ever feeling dry or repetitive. It weaves first-person accounts from Child’s Play icons such as Producer David Kirschner, Writer Don Mancini, and actors Brad Dourif and Fiona Dourif, Alex Vincent, and Jennifer Tilly, with delightfully eye-catching graphics to segment out the different films. 

While the first half of Living With Chucky feels very much like a standard documentary narrative, with intriguing nuggets of facts about casting, effects, puppeteering, and the writing and creation process, the second half delves much deeper into the touching family affair that evolved throughout the years. We learn that Gardner is the daughter of makeup and effects artist Tony Gardner, who worked on Seed of Chucky, Curse of Chucky, and Cult of Chucky. For her, it wasn’t just growing up loving the films – the films themselves, and Chucky, were an integral part of her childhood. 

From this point on, the movie collects deeply personal retrospectives as the cast and crew reflect back on their time with Child’s Play, and how they all bonded through the process. We’re treated to dual interviews featuring both Brad Dourif (the voice of Chucky), and daughter Fiona, who joined the franchise with 2013’s Curse of Chucky, playing lead character Nica Pierce. Their interactions are sweetly sentimental, with their shared pride and adoration clearly showing through.

The love and dedication felt by each person involved in the movies is evident both in their interviews and by the way Gardner allows Living With Chucky to present itself. While most documentarians choose to stay behind the camera, we actually get to see Gardner interact with her father, as well as other Child’s Play members. It’s done in a way that feels natural, and never forced, and gives the viewer a much more personal experience. You walk away feeling as though you really know everyone and their relationships, which is the most unanticipated aspect of the film.

When considering the consistently outlandish gore and disturbing nature of the Child’s Play movies, and Chucky himself, it seems nonsensical to think that a retrospective could pack such an emotional punch. Yet Living With Chucky succeeds. That’s not to say there aren’t plenty of entertaining anecdotes and recollective looks back at the campiness that makes Chucky so iconic. Plenty of time is spent on the character, how he was created, and how he evolved, particularly after 1998’s Bride of Chucky, when a continuing love interest was introduced. There’s also an extensive look at the passionate, dedicated fanbase, and how a murderous doll containing the soul of a serial killer has become one of the most recognizable and important horror villains of all time.

While the inclusion of interviews with those not directly involved with the films does seem slightly out of place, and truthfully could have been cut altogether to trim down the runtime, overall it doesn’t impede enough to make a difference. 

No matter what your reason for watching – whether you’re an impassioned fan looking for a sense of nostalgia, or simply want to learn more about the evolution of one of the most popular series of horror films of all time, you’re bound to be satisfied once the credits roll.