We don’t think there’s much room in the horror scene for more killer dolls, but don’t tell that to the folks behind the new slasher flick JEFFREY DOLLMER. The film’s new red-band trailer just dropped, and we have to say, the doll’s namesake might even be proud of this outlandish tale of terror.
Directed by Mark Savage (Purgatory Road), JEFFREY DOLLMER puts a twisted spin on the killer doll genre by imagining the spirit of notorious serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer trapped inside a murderous doll. The new trailer offers a bloody first look at the pint-sized menace ahead of the film’s November 3 digital and On Demand release.
WATCH THE RED-BAND TRAILER:
OFFICIAL SYNOPSIS: In 1991, Jeffrey Dahmer discovers a doll and performs a ritual to transfer his spirit into it, but he’s captured before he can complete his sinister plans. The doll is locked away in police evidence for decades until it’s eventually discarded and finds its way back into the world.
In the present day, the doll’s spirit is accidentally summoned and latches onto a young model who resembles its former owner. When the model travels to a remote photo shoot, the possessed doll follows, turning the isolated location into a killing ground as it stalks the other competitors and co-workers.
The film stars Charlie Trepany (Sick Girl), Chey Crieger, Juliana Destefano (Shark Season), Adam Huss (Power, General Hospital), Eva Hamilton (Death Kiss), Mariah Justice, Scott Asmar, Jabarri Bush, Jane Xi, Tom Parnell (12 to Midnight) and Sean Michael Conway (Popeye the Slayer Man). Brian Joseph Mange portrays Jeffrey Dahmer, while Final Destination creator Jeffrey Reddick makes a cameo appearance.
As if the premise weren’t strange enough, the production reportedly experienced its own share of bizarre incidents behind the scenes. Those involved with JEFFREY DOLLMER described a series of unexplained occurrences, including a producer suddenly becoming violently ill during preparation, cars refusing to start, a mysterious flat tire, doorknobs falling off unexpectedly and watches stopping exactly one hour off. There were also reports of fake blood appearing on someone’s clothing without their knowledge and the doll mysteriously turning up in places where nobody had left it.
“I wouldn’t say the film is cursed,” says producer Jeff Miller, “but there were definitely some weird goings-on — moreso than most anything else I’ve been involved with, and I’ve produced fifty features.”
The screenplay comes from John Doolan (Popeye the Slayer Man, Remains) and Miller (Clowntown, Ouija House), based on a story by Miller, who also produces. Executive producers include Miller, Tom Parnell, Brandon Gibbs and Ronnie D. Lee. George J. Merino serves as co-producer, Dylan Matlock as consulting producer, and Tony Snegoff and Danielle Juliet Ma as associate producers.
Behind the camera, the creative team includes cinematographer Kody Newton (The Death of Snow White), production designer and doll puppeteer Joe Black, costume designer Cat Black, makeup effects artist Koji Ohmura (Dexter: Original Sin) and doll creator Eris Deo (Witness Infection).
Whether you’re ready for another killer doll or not, JEFFREY DOLLMER looks determined to make its mark with a bizarre premise, bloody mayhem and a doll that apparently refuses to stay where it’s put. The film arrives on digital and On Demand November 3.
