The Puppetman (2023): Cast & Ratings
The Puppetman is a 2023 horror film directed by Brandon Christensen, starring Alyson Gorske as Michal, Michael Paré and Henry Zebrowski. It runs 1 hour 36 minutes and was made on a reported $1 million budget. Its Echo Score is 49/100.
- Echo Score
- 49
- budget
- $1M
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 36m (96 min)
- Director
- Brandon Christensen
- Genre
- Horror
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Not the Funeral Home
- Budget
- $1M
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Puppetman About?
The premise of The Puppetman without spoilers.
A convicted killer on death row claimed an evil force controlled him during his violent crimes. His daughter, Michal, begins to question his story when a series of brutal deaths mirrors her father’s alleged actions. Haunted by the possibility of a curse, she races to uncover the truth and break the hold of The Puppetman before anyone else becomes a victim.
The Puppetman Themes & Keywords
· 35 tags- sleepwalking
- diner
- roof
- athlete
- locking a child in a closet
- stabbing
- fake identification
- laptop
- trauma
- news article
- possession
- gym
+23 more Show fewer
- supernatural horror
- alcohol
- knife
- grieving mother
- capital punishment
- dorm
- murder
- pre med student
- self harm
- suicide
- steroids
- police detective
- college
- smoking
- friendship
- student
- bible quote
- psychic
- husband murders wife
- 2020s
- year 2022
- bird hits a window
- body horror
The Puppetman Cast & Characters
Alyson Gorske leads the cast as Michal, with Michael Paré as Detective Al Rosen and Henry Zebrowski as Podcaster. Directed by Brandon Christensen; 19 actors are credited in all.
- Director Brandon Christensen
- Alyson Gorske as Michal
-
Michael Paré as Detective Al Rosen - Henry Zebrowski as Podcaster
- Caryn Richman as Ruby
Also Starring in The Puppetman
· 15 more- Jayson Therrien Carter
- Kathryn Schneider Patricia
- Anna Telfer Jo
- John Lizzi Liquor Store Clerk
- Ben Kissel Podcaster
- Curtis Arney Doctor
- Zachary Le Vey David
- Angel Prater Charlie
- Gabrielle Nunzio Student
- Luke Brewer Student
- Cameron Wong Glenn
- Kio Cyr Danny
- Sean C. Sanders Prison Guard
- Natalie Meetze Young Michal
- Carmella Visconte Waitress
More from Brandon Christensen
More films directed by Brandon Christensen, best-rated first: Night of the Reaper, Still/Born, Z and Superhost.
The Puppetman Reviews & Ratings
Our Echo Score gives it 49/100, strongest in sensory experience (60) and weakest in story & flow (40).
The Puppetman Echo Score Breakdown
The Puppetman delivers an uneven horror experience, with occasional moments of competence offset by pervasive flaws. Reviewers commend the opening's atmosphere and occasional intense set pieces, yet repeatedly cite a lack of narrative cohesion, uninspired scares, and uneven performances. The film's visual and auditory elements receive mixed feedback, ranging from effective ambience to bland cinematography. Consequently, the movie offers limited rewatch appeal, resulting in a modest overall rating.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 55
Regarding art and craft, the film opens with a well‑crafted tone and effective set pieces, but the visual style quickly becomes bland. Critics note the cinematography lacks distinction and the pacing drags for up to thirty minutes. While occasional fire and gym sequences demonstrate competent direction, the overall execution feels uneven, limiting artistic impact.
- Character & Emotion 45
Character and emotion are handled with mixed results; performances are described as both adequate and monotonous. Some reviewers praise Michael Paré’s presence and Alyson Gorske’s casting, yet many cite rough, under‑whelming acting and weak chemistry among the ensemble. The lack of depth hampers audience investment, resulting in a generally unsatisfying emotional core.
- Story & Flow 40
The narrative suffers from a lack of originality and coherence, with critics calling the plot uninspired and riddled with holes. While the premise of a demonic possession offers potential, the script is uneven, the pacing sluggish, and the climax convoluted. These issues prevent sustained engagement, rendering the story a notable weakness.
- Sensory Experience 60
Sensory elements receive varied feedback; the film’s ambience and occasional intense scenes are praised, yet overall sound design and visual style are seen as unremarkable. Reviewers commend effective fire sequences and a creepy atmosphere, but also describe the cinematography as bland. Consequently, the sensory experience is uneven, delivering occasional thrills amid general mediocrity.
- Rewatch Factor 45
Rewatch potential is limited, with most viewers expressing little desire to revisit the film. While a few note engaging gore and occasional twists, criticisms of a sluggish pace, weak script, and forgettable climax dominate opinions. The consensus suggests the movie provides modest one‑time entertainment but lacks lasting appeal for repeat viewings.
The Puppetman Trailers & Videos
2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 clip.
- Clip Alternate Ending DVD Exclusive
Seen The Puppetman?
Movies Like The Puppetman
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Curse of the Puppet Master, Puppetmaster and The Puppet.
The Puppetman FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast, budget and post-credit scenes of The Puppetman, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Puppetman?
The Puppetman runs 1 hour 36 minutes (96 minutes).
When was The Puppetman released?
The Puppetman was released on October 10, 2023.
Who directed The Puppetman?
The Puppetman was directed by Brandon Christensen.
More films by Brandon Christensen Who is in the cast of The Puppetman?
The Puppetman stars Alyson Gorske as Michal, Michael Paré as Detective Al Rosen and Henry Zebrowski as Podcaster, among 19 credited actors.
What was the budget of The Puppetman?
The Puppetman had a reported budget of $1 million.
Does The Puppetman have a post-credit scene?
No. The Puppetman has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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