Robert (film)
A haunted doll terrorizes a suburban family.
Robert (released under the alternative title *Robert the Doll*) is a 2015 British horror film written and directed by Andrew Jones. It launched the Robert the Doll film series and draws inspiration from a reportedly haunted doll of the same name. The cast includes Suzie Frances Garton, Lee Bane, Flynn Allen, Judith Haley, and Megan Lockhurst.
The story follows the Otto family: Paul, a prosperous lawyer; his wife Jenny, an artist; and their young son Gene. Concerned that their elderly housekeeper Agatha is losing her mental faculties, the couple decides to let her go. Before she leaves, Agatha gives Gene an old doll named Robert as a farewell gift. Soon after her departure, odd events begin—furniture gets knocked over, objects shift on their own, and eerie giggles fill the house at night. Gene insists the doll is alive and responsible. Jenny starts to believe him after finding the word "die" written on a mirror and seeing one of her paintings ruined. As the disturbances grow worse, Jenny comes to suspect Robert of pushing their cleaner Martha down the stairs and causing the death of babysitter Marcie. Paul, however, dismisses her fears, linking them to her history of mental health struggles. The family’s efforts to get rid of the doll fail, and the film ends with the chilling revelation that the haunting originates from the seemingly innocent toy itself.
The film was distributed in the UK and US by 4Digital Media, with a release date of 24 August 2015. On Culture Crypt, it received a score of 25 out of 100, indicating unfavorable reviews. Corey Danna of Horrornews.net noted that Andrew Jones is developing as a filmmaker and shows clear passion for the subject, but added that the film lacked deeper exploration of the doll. A review on Boca De Inferno remarked that the low budget was evident in every scene.
Four sequels followed: *The Curse of Robert the Doll* (12 September 2016), *The Toymaker* (21 August 2017), *The Revenge of Robert the Doll* (6 March 2018), and *Robert Reborn* (24 June 2019).
Quick Facts
- Director
- Andrew Jones
- Producer
- Emily Coupland / Rebecca Graham / Robert Graham / Andrew Jones
- Starring
- Suzie Frances Garton / Lee Bane / Flynn Allen / Judith Haley / Megan Lockhurst
- Editing
- Morgan Conlon
- Cinematography
- Jonathan McLaughlin
- Music
- Bobby Cole
- Studio
- North Bank Entertainment
- Distributor
- 4Digital Media
- Released
- 24 August 2015
- Runtime
- 90 minutes
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Language
- English
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The film follows Paul Otto, a successful lawyer, and his wife Jenny, an artist, who live in a quiet suburban home with their young son, Gene. Concerned about their elderly housekeeper Agatha's declining mental state, they dismiss her. Before leaving, Agatha gives Gene a vintage doll named Robert as a parting gift. Shortly after, strange occurrences begin: furniture is overturned, objects are moved, and unsettling giggles echo at night. Gene insists Robert is alive and responsible. Jenny starts to believe him after finding the word 'die' scrawled on a mirror and witnessing the destruction of one of her paintings. As events escalate, Jenny suspects Robert of pushing their cleaner, Martha, down the stairs and causing the death of the babysitter, Marcie. Paul remains skeptical, attributing Jenny's fears to her past mental health issues. The family's attempts to rid themselves of the doll fail, and the film culminates in the realization that the true source of the haunting is the doll itself.
Reader's Guide
Robert (2015) marks the beginning of a horror film series centered on a haunted doll, inspired by the real-life haunted doll named Robert. The film was released on 24 August 2015 by 4Digital Media in the UK and US. Reception was largely unfavorable, with a review score of 25 out of 100 on Culture Crypt. Critics noted the film's low budget was apparent in every scene, though some acknowledged director Andrew Jones's passion for the subject matter. The film spawned four sequels: The Curse of Robert the Doll (2016), The Toymaker (2017), The Revenge of Robert the Doll (2018), and Robert Reborn (2019). Despite mixed critical response, the series has maintained a niche following among horror enthusiasts interested in doll-based horror and the lore of the real Robert the Doll.
Did You Know?
- The film was inspired by a haunted doll named Robert.
- It was written and directed by Andrew Jones.
- Four sequels followed the original film.
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