Not going to lie, I’m a little disappointed that The Curse of Humpty Dumpty didn’t feature a giant egg running around killing people. Instead, creator Scott Jeffrey’s newest villain is an almost life-sized clown doll with a cracked head that takes a few creative liberties from Pennywise. Still, I can appreciate that we, as horror fans, have the unique ability to pervert any character or concept for our sick pleasure. In the latest film from Jagged Edge Productions and ITN Distribution, two sisters return to their childhood home with their mother who’s starting to show signs of dementia. Soon after arriving at their mini-mansion, the family is beset upon by dark revelations all seemingly linked to a creepy doll they bought at an antique shop. Starring Nicola Wright, Antonia Whillans, Sian Altman, Danielle Scott, Richard Harfst and Kate Milner Evans, The Curse of Humpty Dumpty is now on DVD and digital.
The Curse of Humpty Dumpty is written, directed and produced by Scott Jeffrey. It features cinematography by Jonathan Constantinou and editing by Fynnlugh Greenfield-Brown. Obviously, this movie is an independent venture somewhat centered around a whimsical character. I wasn’t expecting Hereditary or Get Out in terms of Hollywood quality, story and notoriety. However, The Curse of Humpty Dumpty is a worthy addition to the ITN catalog. It does have its flaws – most notice-ably with audio captured outside and with the dark style of filming that loses quality at night – but overall, nothing jumped out at me as terrible. I think any error behind-the-scenes is remedied by the film’s use of practical special effects and old school puppeteering. I’m happy to see any of those two elements in a modern horror film.
The story’s biggest deterrent, though, is that it relies too much on family drama than the killer doll haunting the house. Forgotten memories, family turmoil, struggling to cope with a reality you cannot change – it sucks, it really does, but that can’t be the only driving force in a SCARY MOVIE. The Curse of Humpty Dumpty has a body count of exactly four and two of those happen off screen. If I remember correctly, the first death scene doesn’t happen until the 50-minute mark. I fear that most of the audience will lose their patience/attention by then and shut off this one. The story mostly takes place in a large, well-kept family home. A caretaker or two could have been sprinkled in as cannon fodder and suspense building pieces. This would have greatly increased the appeal to horror fans looking for more gore than psychological drama.
I didn’t hate The Curse of Humpty Dumpty, but it was far from what I was expecting. Maybe there was a reason I passed by it so many times at Walmart and never gave it a chance. There was a lot of potential here to become something fun, emotional and claustrophobic, but instead it was just… a lot of talking and bitching. At least the flashback scenes helped some. Maybe director Scott Jeffrey wanted to rely on real feelings instead of an onslaught of murder and mayhem. Maybe the “deep routed horror” genre just isn’t for me. Where is my killer egg?! Final Score: 5 out of 10.
