Dolly Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		3.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		3.0

Dolly Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf August 18, 2026

“Who will survive and what will be left of them?” was the famous tagline for 1974’s horror classic, “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre,” and such a question of survival also applies to “Dolly.” Co-writers Brandon Weavil and Rod Blackhurst (who also directs) are obviously huffing “Chain Saw” fumes with the endeavor, which follows a collection of characters spending time in the middle of nowhere coming into contact with a special, brutal kind of evil. Blackhurst isn’t messing around with the picture, which is incredibly violent and often gross, hoping to bring viewers back to the wilder days of exploitation cinema from the 1970s with its displays of bodily harm and functions, coming pretty close to fetish film territory. “Dolly” is often caught trying to fill a short run time (77 minutes before end credits), but it’s vividly sold with all kinds of gruesomeness, putting on a big display of nastiness for those who really enjoy such extremity.

Chase (Seann Willliam Scott) is preparing for a short hiking trip with his girlfriend, Macy (Fabianne Therese), making secret plans to propose to her when they reach a special spot on a cliff. He’s handed over his young daughter to his sister, ready to enjoy private time with Macy, who’s aware that something’s up, unsure if she wants to commit to a whole new life. As the pair make their way through a forest, they encounter a shrine filled with dolls, puzzled by such a find. Curiosity turns into horror when Dolly (Max the Impaler) arrives to make them pay for disturbing her sacred ground, pushing a shovel through Chase’s head while Macy is kidnapped, returned to the killer’s home. Faced with the wrath of Dolly and her childlike ways, Macy tries to resist personal attention from the monstrous masked ghoul, hunting for any kind of escape while Chase remains in the woods, crawling his way to help.

The screenplay attempts to create some emotional texture for Chase, who’s trying to raise his daughter and maintain a romance with Macy, ready to make a major commitment to his girlfriend as he hides a ring inside his backpack. Macy has hesitations, ready to see how the hiking trip plays out as she wrestles with her response to a question of long-term commitment. That’s about it for deep feelings in “Dolly,” which also follows the eponymous killer’s home life, recently losing her mother, inspiring the monster to take on parental responsibilities of her own, which involves kidnapping victims. Macy and Chase are in the wrong place at the wrong time, soon facing the power of Dolly, who keeps her shovel close, managing to separate Chase’s jaw from the rest of his head, leaving him for dead as Macy is collected as a prize.

Dolly is a very Leatherface-ian creation, dressing to resemble the dolls she prizes more than anything. She’s strong and prepared to explore a mothering experience with Macy, creating an extremely weird sequence where the victim is treated like a special toy. She’s dressed up in baby clothes, forced to suck on a pacifier, and when the terror of the situation is too much for Macy to process, Dolly goes in for a diaper change. There’s a feeding, and when Macy doesn’t take to a bottle, you better believe there’s a breast coming for her. Blackhurst doesn’t aim for campiness, but he comes close with certain scenes in “Dolly,” though he’s primarily interested in macabre situations, including doll repair time when Macy’s ear is nearly torn off. Gore is plentiful and torment is prized, extending to Chase’s long game of survival in the woods, struggling to breathe as he attempts to crawl his way out of danger.

Dolly Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The image presentation for "Dolly" deals with a shot-on-film production. 16mm cinematography delivers a grungy viewing experience, and grain is acceptably resolved, maintaining heaviness throughout, though blockiness is encountered. Detail reaches as far as possible, exploring skin particulars on damaged characters, with makeup effects open for inspection. Dolly's rubber mask also offers a bit of texture, along with costuming choices, which retain some fibrousness. Forest tours are dimensional, occasionally delivering expanse with mountain views. Household interiors stay deep, exploring the decrepit state of Dolly's home. Color is capable, favoring intense reds with childlike decoration and bloodshed. Whiteness of clothing is distinct, along with greenery. Delineation is satisfactory, handling stretches of darkness. Compression issues do flare up periodically, with banding present.

Dolly Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA MIX provides clear dialogue exchanges, balancing human moments in the beginning of the picture with more feral responses found later in the story. Scoring supports with defined instrumentation and dramatic position, maintaining surges of suspense. Surround activity isn't vigorous, but musical moods are understood, and some character movement triggers panning effects. Atmospherics are also appreciable. Low-end isn't challenged, but some heavier music stings and acts of violence offer milder weight.

Dolly Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features co-writer/director Rod Blackhurst.

• "The Making of 'Dolly'" (21:35, HD) examines the creation of the picture, featuring an introductory interview with co- writer/director Rod Blackhurst, who explores the labor of creative endeavors, requiring personal dedication to the cause when others can't offer such commitment. The featurette takes viewers to Chattanooga, Tennessee in May 2024 for the production experience, following crew members as they examine the possibility of a warehouse space for a picture that was originally titled "Babygirl." Construction designs are examined and tape outlines are put in place as set manufacturing begins for Dolly's house. Props are examined, with the gang finding all kinds of grossness in the wild to help fill household shelves. Perhaps most interesting in the formation of the eponymous character, with cameras catching Max the Impaler's initial fitting for the Dolly mask, giving the crew an early display of the character's unsettling appearance. The first day of the shoot is also captured, following Blackhurst as he assembles shots and handles his cast. This all ends with a "To Be Continued" card, but there's not another documentary on this release.

• A Theatrical Trailer has not been included on this release.

Dolly Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Dolly" is grisly stuff, and some attempt is made to complicate matters for Macy, who hears a voice behind the wall offering advice and pleading for help. Blackhurst has a vivid imagination for viciousness as well, keeping everything rough in the picture, which demands a lot of panicked acting from Therese and ghoulish pantomime from Max the Impaler. Simplicity works best in the offering, but the helmer is certainly striving to beef up the run time, turning to lengthy scenes of household exploration and a few artful depictions of psychological break to fill in the gaps. Momentum is throttled, but "Dolly" maintains hostility and darkness, paying tribute to genre classics while submitting its own brand of visceral entertainment for viewers in the mood to be rattled a bit by the horrors of infantilization and the reliability of rural dangers.