The ongoing pandemic may be putting a damper on gay Halloween this year, but the good news is if we have to stay in this year, the new Chucky series is coming to save the season because it's, well, super gay.
Created by out gay filmmaker Don Mancini, the franchise has long infused a queerness into its films, whether that's the high camp of Jennifer Tilly’s character Tiffany in Bride of Chucky, a cameo from gay icon John Waters, or introducing Chucky’s nonbinary child Glen/Glenda in Son of Chucky. The movies have also consistently included LGBTQ+ characters in minor roles. With this latest entry in the series, however, a gay character takes center stage.
At Comic-Con@Home, Mancini revealed that Jake Wheeler, the character who happens upon a Chucky doll at a garage sale, is a gay teen who’s struggling with his sexuality and bullying while growing up in a small town.
“One of the things that fans always loved about the original movies is that the protagonist was a kid, it’s called Child’s Play,” he said. “It’s something we hadn’t done that much of since Child’s Play 3, but I wanted to switch it up. I thought focusing on young teens would be a new twist and to see how Chucky interacts with them.”
The show also offers Mancini the chance to explore the experience of a gay teen discovering his sexual identity. “There are lots of great scenes between Zach Arthur as Jake and his friend and crush Devon Evans (Bjorgvin Anarson),” he said.
While Chucky will introduce audiences to a new set of characters, many of the players from the franchise are returning as well, including Jennifer Tilly, Alex Vincent, Christine Elis, Fiona Dourif, and, of course, Brad Dourif as the voice of Chucky. So, it's safe to assume the camp and humor that has made this franchise a gay fave isn't going anywhere this time around.
The new series will focus on how an idyllic American town is thrown into chaos after Jake discovers the doll and it begins its killing spree. In the process, hidden secrets and hypocrisies in the town are revealed. At the same time, people from Chucky’s own past expose his hidden history and unravel the mystery of how an ordinary child became a serial killer turned possessed doll.
Chucky premieres on SyFy on Oct. 12. Watch the trailer here and start getting hyped for this much-watch spooky season series.
