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Horror film

The Puppetman (2023): Cast & Ratings

The Puppetman (2023) movie poster

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
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The Puppetman (2023) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 36m (96 min)
Genre
Horror
Original language
English
Budget
$1M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

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
  • 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
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Cast & crew

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.

Also Starring in The Puppetman

· 15 more
From the director

More from Brandon Christensen

More films directed by Brandon Christensen, best-rated first: Night of the Reaper, Still/Born, Z and Superhost.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Puppetman Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 49/100, strongest in sensory experience (60) and weakest in story & flow (40).

49 /100

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.

Videos

The Puppetman Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 clip.

Official Trailer
  • Clip Alternate Ending DVD Exclusive

Seen The Puppetman?

FAQ

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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