Child's Play
United Artists | Release Date: November 9, 1988 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
58
METASCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 18 Critic Reviews
Positive:
8
Mixed:
9
Negative:
1
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
90
Los Angeles TimesKevin Thomas
Scary, yet darkly funny, this thriller of the supernatural from the director of the terrific Fright Night moves with the speed of a bullet train and with style to burn. The film is a stunner--in all senses of the word. Read full review
75
The A.V. ClubAlex McLevy
Director Tom Holland keeps things moving along, turning the entire film into a pretty ruthlessly efficient scare delivery system. Read full review
75
The A.V. ClubScott Tobias
The sequences without Chucky are as stock as they come, and so are all the flesh-and-blood characters around him, but he's still a hugely entertaining mischief-maker, and what he lacks in physical gifts, he compensates for in sneakiness. Read full review
75
The Associated PressStaff (Not Credited)
Child's Play is more than just an odyssey of revenge; it is a chiller that will make you think twice about cuddling those ugly little Cabbage Patch kids or visiting Barbie's townhouse. [21 Nov 1988]
75
Chicago Sun-TimesRoger Ebert
A cheerfully energetic horror film of the slam-bang school, but slicker and more clever than most, about an evil doll named Charles Lee Ray, or Chucky. Read full review
70
IGNChristopher Monfette
Partially filmed on location in Chicago, the movie benefits from a snowy, urban setting that gives it a very different feel from most films in its genre. Hicks and Chris Sarandon (as the cop who killed serial killer Charles Chucky Lee Ray in the first place) are solid actors and brought a nice adult presence to the story. Read full review
63
Washington PostRichard Harrington
Following up his auspicious debut with Fright Night, director Tom Holland keeps things moving without rushing them. Read full review
63
Boston GlobeJay Carr
Child's Play is junk fun. [09 Nov 1988, p.95]
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