Indeed, it's a happy day when young Andy Barclay (Alex Vincent) gets his talking "Good Guy" doll, but joy soon turns to terror when the child is hospitalized in a psychiatric ward for possibly committing two murders, including that of his babysitter. But the murderer isn't Andy. It's Chucky, actually a serial killer who has transferred his soul to the doll.

Determined to escape the confines of his inanimate body, the doll decides to take over the form of little Andy. Good performances by Catherine Hicks and Alex Vincent as mother and son give the film credibility. Strong scripting keeps the villainous Chucky-the real Chucky, as opposed to his doll-like performance-offscreen until the film has built up a head of steam. And when the evil doll does take center stage, the effect is truly sinister.

In a fight to the finish between Chucky, Andy, Mom, and detective friend (Chris Sarandon), Chucky is burned alive, clubbed, and shot, and still his charred parts keep on coming. What a doll!