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Puppet Master

Play trailer Poster for Puppet Master R 1989 1h 30m Horror Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
40% Tomatometer 10 Reviews 40% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
Assailed by nightmarish visions, Alex Whitaker (Paul Le Mat) and his fellow psychics descend on the Bodega Bay Inn. There, they discover that their compatriot Neil (Jimmie F. Scaggs) has apparently committed suicide. But, as the gruesome visions continue, they sense that there's still something sinister afoot. When they find themselves hunted by a band of homicidal marionettes created by twisted puppeteer Andre Toulon (William Hickey), they discover they're right.

Critics Reviews

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Brian Bisesi Horror Movie Club Podcast Feb 25, 2026
2.5/5
The film’s best attribute is its puppet effects, but their impact is lost in an unnecessarily complicated and poorly explained plot. So much time is spent on an unnecessary psychic aspect of the story that our main character is barely a character at all. Go to Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Nov 1, 2025
3/4
This is low-budget horror done right. Go to Full Review Nick Rogers Midwest Film Journal Oct 31, 2025
2.5/5
While the climax unfolds in an impressive combo of upsetting dentistry, medieval medicine and orthopedic brutality, this is all over the place tonally in a way a first installment should not feel and suffers from leaving the most boring characters alive. Go to Full Review David Day Horror Movie Talk Sep 23, 2025
2/10
I think the principle sin that Puppet Master commits is that it takes itself too seriously. The dialog and story make very little sense, but they keep at it. When the script falters and becomes boring, they keep shoving it down your throat. Go to Full Review C.H. Newell Father Son Holy Gore May 1, 2019
3/5
With some weird, awesome puppets, a nice finale, and an interesting theme hovering over it all, Puppetmaster's a unique piece of the late '80s. Go to Full Review Heather Wixson Dread Central Jan 4, 2012
3/5
While the movie has terrific atmosphere and set designs, it's the iconic posse of killer puppets that have cemented Puppet Master in horror history as a campy cult classic. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Robert P @Superbad 5 days ago Puppet Master is a *2* star Movie! See more B P @Bradster69 Sep 2, 2026 Not Bad, but Not My Favorite See more John K @WQCMI Jul 21, 2026 This is one of the worst films I have ever seen, its just so cheesy. See more Ian S @RT48225084 Jan 10, 2026 Silly and repetitive. The best thing about it was the music score and the hotel setting. See more Jack F @MovieFan111 Nov 28, 2025 Eh, I've been curious about this one for a while. I guess it's what I expected, but I didn't really understand the story. Worthy watch though. See more Robson C @RT82519826 Oct 12, 2025 Um grupo de paranormais recebe um comunicado mental de um outro colega seu. Eles participaram de um projeto para encontrar a fórmula egípcia que dá vida a objetos inanimados. Eles vão para um hotel e descobrem que o seu colega havia morrido. Eles decidem ficar para tentar resolver o mistério. O trunfo desse filme são os bonecos que ganharam vida e que a produção consegue dar um certo carisma a eles, mesmo que muitos sejam muito ridículos. A utilização de stop motion dá um certo charme á produção. Porém o resto do filme... Temos um elenco abaixo da média, com um roteiro clichê e cheio de furos. Desculpe, mas algumas mortes são ridículas, como o médium que morre por sanguessugas. O ataque dos bonecos tem que ser sempre na surpresa, porque uma interação maior permite uma reação do ator. Ninguém ficaria congelado. Entendo porque esta franquia tem os seus fãs, mas, no final, é uma produção muito fraca. Quem sabe alguém com uma visão diferente não deixe mais interessante? See more Read all reviews
Puppet Master

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Cast & Crew

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David Schmoeller

Director

Paul Le Mat

Alex Whitaker

Irene Miracle

Dana Hadley

Matt Roe

Frank Forrester

Kathryn O'Reilly

Carlissa Stamford

Robin Frates

Megan Gallagher

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Puppet Master

Puppet Master (1989) Puppet Master (1989) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Assailed by nightmarish visions, Alex Whitaker (Paul Le Mat) and his fellow psychics descend on the Bodega Bay Inn. There, they discover that their compatriot Neil (Jimmie F. Scaggs) has apparently committed suicide. But, as the gruesome visions continue, they sense that there's still something sinister afoot. When they find themselves hunted by a band of homicidal marionettes created by twisted puppeteer Andre Toulon (William Hickey), they discover they're right.
Director
David Schmoeller
Producer
Hope Perello
Screenwriter
David Schmoeller
Production Co
Empire Pictures, Full Moon Entertainment
Rating
R
Genre
Horror
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 10, 2016
Runtime
1h 30m
Sound Mix
Ultra-Stereo, Surround
Aspect Ratio
Academy (1.33:1)
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