‘Dolly’ Trailer Channels ’70s Horror in Brutal Backwoods Slasher

Mother knows best—and she’s terrifying—in the retro-flavored trailer for Dolly.

The gritty, 16mm-shot horror hits theaters March 6 via Independent Film Company and Shudder, leaning on practical effects and old-school craftsmanship to deliver a brutal backwoods nightmare.

The story follows Macy, a young woman fighting for her life after being abducted by a deranged, monstrous figure intent on raising her as their own. The film blends the raw terror of 1970s American horror like The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and The Hills Have Eyes with the shocking extremity of the New French Extremity movement, home to films like High Tension, Martyrs, and Inside.

Fabianne Therese (John Dies at the End), Seann William Scott (American Pie), Ethan Suplee (Mallrats), and pro wrestler Max the Impaler lead the cast.

Director Rod Blackhurst (Amanda Knox, Night Swim) co-wrote the script with Brandon Weavil, expanding on their 2022 short Babygirl. After a strong festival run—including Toronto International Film Festival, Fantastic Fest, Sitges, and Telluride Horror Show—a prequel exploring Dolly’s origins is already in development.

Trace Thurman praised the film, noting, “Where Dolly falls short in the script or originality departments it more than makes up for in the technical department, especially in the sound design and the practical gore effects. Every fleshy squelch and bone crack is not only heard, but felt, making the violence hit when it needs to.”

For fans of brutal, old-school horror with a modern extreme edge, Dolly looks to be a must-see March nightmare.