People often refer to films that have any kind of surreal elements as Lynchian but there is more to paying homage to the late great David Lynch than simply making your film strange. An idyllic town hiding brutal and disturbing secrets buried just out of sight that starts to bubble to the surface. Retro Americana iconography, uncanny horrors that happen in plain sight, quirky characters with hyper-specific fixations and the general feeling that the you’re walking through a cozy nightmare. These are some of the hallmarks of Lynchian surrealism and aspects that The Dollmaker does an excellent job paying tribute to. And if there was still any doubt as to where the primary influences are coming from, the main character’s mailbox literally has “Familia Lynch” written across the side.

While the poster and title of this Argentinian film might give the impression you’re in for a low-budget slasher, The Dollmaker is a far different animal. Set in the town of Palacios where, as the welcome sign states, “Nothing bad can happen” it follows the story of a meek young man named Tomas (Rodrigo Noya) who lives a quiet life working and caring full time for his disabled mother. Part-time Boy-Scouts-uniform-clad video store clerk, part time maker of incredibly ineffective looking resuscitation dolls, full time incel, Tomas is a busy guy. When a chance encounter occurs with Tina (Griselda Sanchez, who also co-wrote) a young woman suffering from debilitating hallucinations of horrific imagery, Tomas becomes determined to fit her into his chaotic life. Meanwhile, the stability of their quirky small town threatens to unravel as more and more young women are brutally raped and killed in the place where “nothing bad can happen.”

In addition to the influences of Lynch, there are also clear nods to films like The Shining and Maniac and while this might be distracting in a lesser film, director Jose Maria Cicala has done his homework and threads the needle just right when honoring the classics. It’s also interesting to see an Argentinian filmmaker’s take on Americana, the outsider perspective lending even more to the feeling of walking through a half-remembered dream. The classic fifties diner that has rollerskating waitresses serving pancakes by day and by night becomes the hottest club in town, its narrow aisles packed with drag queens and sailors looking to get their freak on. The strange bright yellow uniforms worn by the bumbling local cops, the meticulously accurate Boy Scouts ones worn by the video store employees, the fact that they are using burlap Ugli Doll knock offs to teach resuscitation, it’s all just a bit off in the best possible way.

The Dollmaker also delivers on the horror aspects and doesn’t shy away from brutal violence and some surprisingly disturbing imagery. While a bit predictable at times, the film is nonetheless a unique and engaging experience that pays homage to it’s source material with the kind of attention to detail that only a true fan can produce. It’s a shame that the Grandmaster of the Surreal never got to see it himself but I like to think that it possesses the kind of whimsically unhinged charm he would have appreciated.

Availability: Upcoming Release

The film is coming out to VOD and digital platforms on 8/25/26.