Shudder - Doc of Chucky : Let’s talk with Director Thommy Hutson

By Mulder, Los Angeles, 28 october 2024

In anticipation of the release of Doc of Chucky, premiering on Shudder this November, I had the pleasure of speaking with director Thommy Hutson. He dives deep into the making of one of horror’s most iconic franchises. With over 30 years of killer doll mayhem to explore, Doc of Chucky offers fans unprecedented access to behind-the-scenes footage, cast interviews, and a comprehensive look at how Chucky slashed his way into pop culture history. Here's what they had to say about creating this 295-minute homage to everyone's favorite killer doll : 

Q: Hi Thommy, what inspired you to create Doc of Chucky at this point in time ?

Thommy Hutson: Well, I’ve always loved horror movies. As a kid, I would flip through all the horror magazines like Fangoria and Gorezone and look through Famous Monsters to see the behind-the-scenes of how these things were made. When I got older and started working in film, I had the chance to explore the making of these movies. I worked on Friday the 13th, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Scream, Return of the Living Dead, and part of it was thinking about which franchises were left to explore that hadn’t had this multi-hour, in-depth treatment. The Child’s Play and Chucky franchise had been going for so long, and it finally felt like the right time to dive into not just the origin and making of the movies, but also how Don Mancini has carried this franchise for decades in such a fantastic way. It just felt like the right time, and I’m really happy we were able to do it.

Q: Can you describe the process of gathering interviews from such a diverse group of cast and crew members ?

Thommy Hutson: It's always a bit of a challenge to get all these people together. It takes a long time, reaching out to people through their agents, managers, and sometimes even asking friends who might know someone who knows someone. We make a big list and think, "Okay, how long is our show? How many people can we fit in?" We try to include as many as we can because even those with smaller roles often have fantastic stories or valuable insights. We were lucky to get as many people across the entire franchise as we did. Each time someone agreed to participate, it was like ringing a bell in celebration.

Q: What were some of the most surprising insights you gained while making this documentary ?

Thommy Hutson: Oh my gosh, there were so many things! One of the biggest for me was just learning more about how Don Mancini had such a clear vision and idea from the beginning, and how he connected with David Kirschner. The two of them built something that has lasted for decades. We also uncovered some really fascinating and socially relevant elements about Child’s Play 3 that I want to keep as a surprise for those who haven’t seen the documentary yet. Every movie had at least one surprising revelation, even after I’d done extensive research. It’s one thing to read about these stories, but when someone tells it firsthand and then shares something completely unexpected, that’s when it becomes more exciting and meaningful. I’m thrilled for people to see the "aha" moments, those hidden details that make them want to revisit the movies with a fresh perspective.

Q: How does Doc of Chucky differentiate itself from your previous documentaries, like Never Sleep Again and Crystal Lake Memories ?

Thommy Hutson: I’d say the main difference is that we focused on making each segment on each movie its own story while still teasing the next one. Since Don Mancini and David Kirschner were involved the entire time, we had a core through-line that connected everything. Don’s evolving role, especially as he began directing, gave the documentary a cohesive thread that helped it flow from segment to segment, keeping the audience engaged.

Q: Can you share any memorable moments from your interviews with actors like Jennifer Tilly or Brad Dourif ?

Thommy Hutson: Everyone was incredible, but speaking with Jennifer Tilly and Brad Dourif was unforgettable. They’re icons with such rich histories in our cinematic lives. Jennifer, for instance, has this amazing ability to answer one question while covering ten more, making my job so much easier. Her love and passion for these movies shine through in a way I didn’t expect. Brad, on the other hand, gives so much to the character of Chucky; he’s constantly thinking about the role and delivers more than expected because he’s that smart and invested. Their graciousness and the depth they brought to their interviews were just fantastic.

Q: How did you approach the challenge of covering over three decades of the Child’s Play franchise ?

Thommy Hutson: That’s one of the toughest parts of making these documentaries—trying to fit as much as possible within the runtime. This show is five hours long, but we could have easily done ten! It’s a matter of “killing your darlings,” as they say; I loved so much of the material, but we had to select only the best. Fortunately, with such a talented cast and crew, we had an abundance of wonderful moments to choose from.

Q: How did you select the archival footage and behind-the-scenes material included in the documentary ?

Thommy Hutson: That often depends on what the interviewees are discussing. Certain iconic scenes, like when the doll first comes to life in Karen Barclay’s hands, were must-haves. But then someone might mention something unexpected, and we’ll try to illustrate it with a clip from the film. It all comes down to finding the right moments to showcase and making sure they enhance the story.

Q: What aspect of Chucky’s character do you believe resonates most with audiences, even after all these years?

Thommy Hutson: I think it’s Chucky’s incredible personality—this dark, twisted glee. Even when he’s doing something terrifying, he has a wisecrack that ties into his actions. Don created an icon with Chucky’s humor, personality, and complex backstory, setting him apart from other horror villains. That unique mix of character depth and personality makes him so memorable.

Q: Can you talk about the significance of humor in the Child’s Play franchise ?

Thommy Hutson: Humor is one of the reasons this franchise has endured and why fans keep coming back. Don managed to find that perfect blend of horror and humor, balancing the two in a way that’s both smart and scary. Horror and humor evoke strong, visceral reactions; you scream one moment, and you laugh the next. The Child’s Play franchise does this so well because of Chucky’s character and the interactions he has with those around him.

Q: What do you think makes Chucky stand out among other horror icons ?

Thommy Hutson: It’s that unexpected element—this tiny, seemingly harmless doll delivering so much terror. The franchise constantly reinvents itself, finding new ways to turn expectations upside down. Each movie builds on the previous one while setting up for the next, balancing story, emotion, horror, and humor. Ultimately, it’s fun, and that’s something you never forget.

Q: What do you hope viewers take away from Doc of Chucky ?

Thommy Hutson: I hope viewers enjoy the documentary and relive their favorite moments, but more importantly, I’d love for them to revisit the movies, maybe even the ones they hadn’t appreciated as much. If they come away with a fresh perspective and see the films in a new light, then I feel I’ve done my job. It’s about making people think about why this franchise works and why it’s important in horror.

Q: How did the partnership with Shudder shape the development and distribution of Doc of Chucky ?

Thommy Hutson: From the start, Shudder felt like the perfect home. They’d already aired Never Sleep Again and Crystal Lake Memories, so I knew they’d understand not just what horror is but what it can be. Shudder gets the fans and respects their passion. Working with them was incredible; they fully supported my vision, and the show turned out exactly how I wanted because of their belief in the project.

Q: What do you think the future holds for the Child’s Play franchise ?

Thommy Hutson: Oh, only Don Mancini knows that! There are so many unexpected directions the franchise could go. Who would have thought that setting Chucky in a mental hospital would work? But it did! I have no idea what the future holds, but I hope for another Chucky adventure. If anyone can keep surprising audiences, it’s Don Mancini, and I’m sure he has something up his sleeve.

Synopsis : 
The ultimate account of the Child’s Play film franchise and Chucky, a horror villain for the ages. With contributions from cast, crew, critics, historians, and experts, as well as clips, photographs, archival documents, behind-the-scenes footage, and more, experience the making-of story that proves you can’t keep a good guy down in a series of films that have created an icon.

Doc of Chucky
Directed by Thommy Hutson
Produced by Thommy Hutson
Written by Thommy Hutson, Mark Alan Miller
Starring  Brad Dourif, Jennifer Tilly, Chris Sarandon, Bex Taylor-Klaus, A Martinez, Fiona Dourif, Christine Elise, Danielle Bisutti, Dinah Manoff, Dakin Matthews, Catherine Hicks, Beth Grant, Perrey Reeves, Alex Vincent, Tom Holland, John Waters, Brennan Elliott, Adam Hurtig, Janet Kidder, Gerrit Graham, Travis Fine, Edan Gross, Don Mancini, Summer H. Howell, Elisabeth Rosen, Grace Lynn Kung, Ronny Yu, Michael Therriault, Matthew Walker, Gordon Michael Woolvett, Zak Santiago, Nick Stabile, David Kirschner, Jeremy Sylvers, Howard Berger, Tony Gardner, Kevin Yagher, Michael Chieffo, Tommy Swerdlow, Marina Stephenson Kerr, Steve West, James Gallanders, Barrie M. Osborne, Autumn Ivy, Joseph LoDuca, Dean Jacobson, Donna Eskra, Juan Ramírez, Michael Marshall, Ivy Isenberg, Guy J. Louthan, Cloudia Rebar, Michael Louis Johnson, Joshua Grannell, Aaron Osborne, Robert Latham Brown, James Coblentz, Joe Renzetti, Richard Pagano, Randy Bricker, David Sosna, Alonso Duralde, Jim Hemphill, Richard Sawyer, Corey Sienega, Judith M. Brown, Alicia Keywan, Camilla Henneman, Joyce Arrastia, Cory Lerios, Michael Green, Ron Pipes, Larry Nikolai, Ivo Cristante, Peter A. Chevako, Garrett Zima
Music by Sean Schafer Hennessy
Cinematography : Dave Jacobsen, Edwin Samuelson
Edited by Michael Benni Pierce  
Production companies : Hutson Ranch Media, Michael Perez Entertainment
Distributed by Shudder (United States)
Release date : November 1 2024 (United States)
Running time : NC

Photos : Courtesy of Michael Perez Entertainment LLC. A Shudder Release