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Comedy horror film

Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich (2018): Cast, Ratings & Plot

Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich (2018) movie poster

Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich is a 2018 comedy horror film directed by Sonny Laguna and Tommy Wiklund, starring Udo Kier as Andre Toulon, Barbara Crampton and Thomas Lennon. It runs 1 hour 30 minutes and was made on a reported $2.5 million budget. Critics gave it 69% on Rotten Tomatoes and 52 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.4/10.

IMDb rating
5.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes
69%
Echo Score
78
Metascore
52
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Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 30m (90 min)
Directors
Sonny Laguna and Tommy Wiklund
Genres
Horror , Comedy
Original language
English
Budget
$2.5M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich About?

The premise of Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A resourceful businessman's questionable actions trigger a disturbing sequence of events. After a strange puppet is mysteriously brought to life, it awakens a dark force, leading to a bloody and chaotic massacre of other puppets. As the death toll mounts, the film blends gruesome horror with dark humor in a bizarre and twisted narrative.

Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich Themes & Keywords

· 29 tags
  • gore
  • jewish man
  • jumping out of a window
  • tour
  • puppet
  • bartender
  • killed by a puppet
  • death of brother
  • death of girlfriend
  • comic book store
  • comic book artist
  • anti semitism
+17 more
  • reboot
  • interracial couple
  • murder of a pregnant woman
  • falling to death
  • former office
  • throat slit
  • decapitation
  • murder of a child
  • big breasts
  • big breast
  • nazi zombie
  • evil toy
  • killer doll
  • evil puppet
  • supernatural power
  • nazi occultism
  • female pedal pumping
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Cast & crew

Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich Cast & Characters

Udo Kier leads the cast as Andre Toulon, with Barbara Crampton as Officer Carol Doreski and Thomas Lennon as Edgar Easton. Directed by Sonny Laguna and Tommy Wiklund; 14 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich

· 10 more
Ratings

Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich 69% on Rotten Tomatoes and 52 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.4/10. Our Echo Score gives it 78/100, strongest in character & emotion (85) and weakest in story & flow (60).

78 /100

Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich Echo Score Breakdown

In terms of overall evaluation, Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich delivers a striking technical presentation tempered by narrative unevenness. Critics commend the inventive gore choreography, polished puppetry and committed performances, while some note that tonal shifts and a sparse connective plot undermine sustained engagement. User reactions mirror this balance, applauding slick cinematography and visceral spectacle but questioning depth and comedic consistency. Overall, the film stands out for its craftsmanship and shock value, though it remains somewhat uneven in storytelling and emotional resonance.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 80

    In terms of art and craft, Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich demonstrates confident direction and inventive visual design. Reviewers praise the imaginative staging of gore sequences and detailed puppet work, noting a polished cinematographic approach that emphasizes texture and contrast. The production design balances macabre set pieces with clear editing rhythms. Overall, the film’s technical artistry delivers a consistently engaging aesthetic.

  • Character & Emotion 85

    In terms of character and emotion, the film benefits from committed performances that lend unexpected depth to its protagonists. Critics note credible chemistry and measured emotional stakes, particularly in scenes that explore personal loss amidst the horror. While some secondary roles lack nuance, the lead actors maintain audience investment through subtle expressions and timing. Overall, the character work stands out in an otherwise chaotic narrative.

  • Story & Flow 60

    In terms of story and flow, the film presents a series of high-impact set pieces linked by a minimal connective structure. Observers appreciate the brisk pacing and occasional narrative twists that inject originality into a familiar revenge premise. However, the reliance on repetitive kill sequences and uneven tonal shifts undermines plot coherence. Overall, the storyline maintains forward momentum but sacrifices depth and consistency.

  • Sensory Experience 85

    In terms of sensory experience, the film delivers intensely vivid practical effects and sound design that amplify its visceral impact. Reviews highlight the shocking gore sequences and detailed puppet animation, supported by a propulsive score that underscores the film’s dark humor. The visual style balances polished lighting with raw textures to heighten tension. Overall, the auditory and visual elements combine to create a memorable, if unsettling, atmosphere.

  • Rewatch Factor 70

    In terms of rewatch factor, the film’s bold imagery and darkly comic moments offer sporadic appeal on repeat viewings. Some viewers cite the inventive puppet set pieces and smartly timed shock beats as reasons to revisit the film, while others find the uneven tone and sparse character development limit its lasting impact. Overall, the replay value remains modest, appealing primarily to genre enthusiasts.

Plot

Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich Plot Summary

What happens in Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In 1989 Texas, a notorious war criminal named Andre Toulon struggles with the shadows of his past while attempting to initiate a romantic encounter with a bartender. However, upon discovering her sexual orientation, he is filled with disgust. In a fit of rage, he sends his malevolent puppets to gruesomely eliminate her and her lover that very night. Fast-forward to the future, rookie police officer Carol Doreski pursues Toulon to his lavish mansion, where she ultimately apprehends him after a tense standoff involving a firearm.

Full summary

The whole story of Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich.

Official Red Band Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What year does the initial event involving Andre Toulon take place?

Details

Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich Also Known As

13 alternative titles, including “Puppet Master: The Little Reich” and “Puppet Master XII: The Little Reich”.

Also known as
  • Puppet Master: The Little Reich
  • Puppet Master XII: The Little Reich
  • El Titiritero: El Reich más pequeño
  • Fangoria Presents Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich
  • Puppet Master 12 Das toedlichste Reich
  • Puppet Master Das toedlichste Reich
  • Кукловод: Самый маленький рейх
  • Gyilkos bábok: A legkisebb náci
  • 퍼핏 마스터: 더 리틀리스트 라이크
  • Господарят на куклите: Малкият райх
  • Puppet Master - Das tödlichste Reich
  • 魔偶奇谭:至小帝国
+1 more
  • 魔偶奇譚:至小帝國

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FAQ

Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich FAQ: Cast & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, budget, ratings and post-credit scenes of Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich?

Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich runs 1 hour 30 minutes (90 minutes).

When was Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich released?

Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich was released on August 17, 2018.

Who directed Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich?

Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich was directed by Sonny Laguna and Tommy Wiklund.

More films by Sonny Laguna

Who is in the cast of Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich?

Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich stars Udo Kier as Andre Toulon, Barbara Crampton as Officer Carol Doreski and Thomas Lennon as Edgar Easton, among 14 credited actors.

What was the budget of Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich?

Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich had a reported budget of $2.5 million.

How is Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich rated?

Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich has 5.4/10 on IMDb, 69% on Rotten Tomatoes, 52 on Metacritic and 56% on TMDB.

Does Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich have a post-credit scene?

No. Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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