In Heidi Moore’s 2016 film, “Dolly Deadly,” we were introduced to Benji, a young boy with a passion for dolls who, tired of enduring ridicule, embarked on a homicidal spree by masquerading as a doll. Now, in the latest offering from Troma Productions, “Kill Dolly Kill,” Benji returns, having transformed both his life and identity.
Today, Benji lives as a drag queen named Dolly Deadly, and the past comes knocking as she becomes entangled in the web of her past crimes. Adjudged not criminally responsible, she finds herself committed to a psychiatric institution where her alter ego resurfaces. Meanwhile, a new contender named Slasherella emerges, vying for the title of the year’s top serial killer.
“Kill Dolly Kill” is a harmonious blend of the quintessential Troma elements: humor, gore, outrageous characters, and, of course, a cameo by Lloyd Kaufman. In Tromaville, nothing conforms to the norm, and fans will relish returning to the most eccentric city in the United States. However, if drag queens and non-heteronormative themes are not your cup of tea, this may not be the film for you. For those seeking a zany and amusing cinematic experience, look no further.
Troma movies often feel like raucous gatherings to which everyone wishes they had an invitation—a place where one can shed their conventional self and embrace characters devoid of common sense. “Kill Dolly Kill” falls squarely into the category of guilty pleasures, offering a cinematic rollercoaster of “what the heck did I just watch?” The characters are a riot of colors, eccentricity, and hilarity. Even viewers unaccustomed to Troma productions will find themselves chuckling along.
Rating: 3.5/5
