Stifler goes slasher in this gruesome tribute to 70s grindhouse terror.
Dolly Review: Seann William Scott Faces Terrifying Horror in 2026’s Grittiest Slasher
The 2026 horror gets a brutal, grimy new entry this week with the release of Dolly, a film generating significant buzz for its post-Terrifier gore and relentless tension. Directed by Rod Blackhurst and starring Seann William Scott in a surprising dramatic turn, this backwoods nightmare delivers exactly what it promises: a savage, 70s-inspired assault on the senses. For fans of gritty, practical effects-driven horror.
However, the Dolly film starring Sean William Scott might mislead some viewers expecting the former Stifler in a comedic role. Instead, Scott delivers a steady, understated performance as Chase, a boyfriend whose romantic camping trip proposal to his girlfriend Macy (Fabianne Therese) goes horrifically wrong. The couple’s idyllic getaway transforms into a waking nightmare when they encounter the titular monster: a hulking, shovel-swinging psychopath wearing a cracked porcelain doll mask. Played with terrifying physicality by former NWA wrestler Max the Impaler, Dolly is searching for a “baby girl” to raise as her own, and Macy fits the bill perfectly.
This Dolly horror movie 2026 isn’t interested in complex mythology or winding plot threads. Clocking in at a lean 80 minutes, the film dives headfirst into the psychological and physical torment of its protagonist. Shot on grainy 16mm, the aesthetic immediately grounds the viewer in a world that feels hot, sticky, and dangerous. While the narrative is admittedly slight, the commitment to practical gore and deeply unsettling performances—particularly from Therese and Max the Impaler—creates an experience that is as emotionally investing as it is sickening. It’s a film that knows its audience and serves up carnage with a surprising amount of heart.
Dolly (2026)
Macy, a young woman, is abducted by a monstrous figure intent on raising her as their own child.
Director: Rod Blackhurst
Stars: Fabianne Therese, Seann William Scott, Max the Impaler, Ethan Suplee
Dolly Review: Seann William Scott Faces Terrifying Horror in 2026’s Grittiest Slasher
Dolly has been picking up a fair amount of hype before its release on Friday, not least for its gritty aesthetic and post-Terrifier gore.
It’s the (pretty slight) story of Chase (Scott) who takes his girlfriend Macy (Therese) on a romantic camping trip to pop the question.
However, the hapless couple didn’t reckon on a hulking, shovel-swinging, porcelain doll mask wearing psychopath (former NWA wrestler Max the Impaler) desperate to find a ‘baby girl’ to raise as her own…
Based on the short film Babygirl (co-written by director Blackhurst and Brandon Weavil) and shot on 16mm, the movie wears its Texas Chain Saw Massacre inspiration with pride. However, those are some big shoes to fill.
The movie looks great and features some deeply unsettling moments – once the titular Dolly swings into action we soon swing from physical to mental torment and back again. There are some shocking (and sickening) moments but thankfully a lot of the more deplorable acts are implied rather than explicitly showed on screen.
It also helps that Therese and Scott play their roles so well – the latter really impressed me with a steady and far more understated performance than I would have expected from the former Stifler.
Therese is also fantastic and gets well stuck in to a part that I can imagine was pretty grueling at times. Having her to root for really elevates the film.
The final element of the main trio is the silent but deadly Max as Dolly. They make the character feel truly unhinged and use their impressive stature to bring a real sense of physical menace to the character. As the character’s face remains covered throughout the movie, Max relies on physical acting that switches from twitchy and erratic to lumbering and looming. Both work to terrifying effect.
Sadly, the plot does not hit the mark so well. It’s a pretty lightweight storyline – the movie clocks in at less than 80 minutes – which really doesn’t warrant Blackhurst’s decision to split it into seven chapters. The plot is linear, without twists, yet still leaves Dolly’s backstory entirely undeveloped. However, it has since been announced that a prequel movie is in development – so perhaps that was the plan all along?
Dolly is a fun time for genre enthusiasts – sure it has its misfires (an ill-advised trip into psychedelia late on, some especially bone-headed character decisions, and one character surviving a frankly ludicrous series of gruesome injuries) but it has heart. It’s got some great shocks, great performances and I have to admit, I was well and truly emotionally invested by the time we reached the bloody final stand-off.
It’s a pretty good movie, that sadly feels like it had an excellent one in there somewhere. Here’s hoping Dolly’s inevitable return will find it.
6/10
Steven Hickey
A graduate from the University of Westminster, Steven Hickey has worked in media and journalism for more than 25 years.
A life long horror fan, he has written multiple pieces of short online fiction in the genre.
Steven has written for several genre web sites over the years, including the late UK Horror Scene and his own blog, Hickey’s House of Horrors.
Steven enjoys everything spooky – from books to board games, movies to interactive scare experiences, and has loved the genre since he accidentally stumbled across a screening of The Creature From The Black Lagoon when he was just a tiny boy.
He lives in a leafy London suburb with his wife, three children, and his neighbour’s cat.
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