When Grief Becomes Haunted: A Review of Dollhouse (2025)

Release & Background

Dollhouse is a Japanese horror film directed by Shinobu Yaguchi, a filmmaker usually known for lighter, more uplifting stories. This made his entry into horror all the more surprising and intriguing. The film premiered in Japan on June 13, 2025, and later began screening in Indonesia on September 17, 2025. The cast includes Masami Nagasawa as Yoshie Suzuki, Koji Seto as her husband Tadahiko, along with a strong supporting lineup.

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Synopsis (Spoiler-Light)

The story follows Yoshie and Tadahiko Suzuki, who suffer the devastating loss of their five-year-old daughter, Mei. Overcome by grief, Yoshie purchases a life-sized doll at an antique market because it bears a striking resemblance to Mei. At first, the doll is a coping mechanism—an unsettling way of keeping her daughter’s presence alive.

Years later, the couple has another daughter, Mai. When Mai turns five, she discovers the doll that had long been tucked away. From that moment, strange disturbances begin to haunt the household. The doll seems to reappear even when discarded, its presence growing more sinister with time. What began as a fragile symbol of grief soon becomes a terrifying anchor for something otherworldly.

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Personal Take / Analysis

Strengths

• Emotional Core
  What elevates Dollhouse beyond being just another haunted-object story is the raw grief at its center. Yoshie’s struggle with loss is palpable, and the film uses that emotional weight to give the scares meaning.

• Atmosphere & Visuals
  The cinematography thrives on isolation, often framing Yoshie in ways that emphasize her inner torment. The doll itself is crafted with an eerie lifelike quality, making its presence chilling even when it doesn’t move.

• Balancing Horror and Dark Humor
  Unlike many horror films that press relentlessly on fear, Dollhouse isn’t afraid to lean into absurd or darkly comedic moments. This contrast makes the unsettling sequences hit harder.

Weaknesses

• Uneven Pacing
  The movie occasionally slows down too much, lingering on subplots or repetition that dampens its momentum. While fans of atmospheric horror may enjoy this, others could find it dragging.

• Familiar Tropes
  Haunted dolls, cursed objects, and grief-stricken parents are familiar territory. Though the film adds emotional nuance, it doesn’t completely escape predictability.

• Limited Escalation
  The climax delivers tension, but it doesn’t quite reach the kind of full-blown terror some viewers might hope for. The scares are steady but rarely overwhelming.

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Genre Context

Dollhouse sits firmly within the tradition of Japanese horror, where domestic spaces and personal trauma often blend with supernatural folklore. It leans less on gore and spectacle than its Western haunted-doll counterparts, instead focusing on psychological tension and atmosphere. If Annabelle thrives on sheer terror, Dollhouse takes a quieter, more emotionally charged route.

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Who Will Enjoy This Film

• Horror fans who prefer stories rooted in emotion and character development.

• Viewers who appreciate Japanese horror’s slow-burn style and focus on atmosphere.

• Less suited for those seeking nonstop jump scares or fast-paced supernatural chaos.

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Conclusion

Dollhouse (2025) doesn’t revolutionize the haunted-doll subgenre, but it brings a refreshing emotional weight to it. By grounding its scares in themes of grief, motherhood, and family guilt, it resonates on a deeper level than a simple horror thrill ride. The visuals and performances are strong, the atmosphere unnerving, though pacing and predictability keep it from absolute greatness.

Overall, I’d rate it 7/10 — a solid, eerie, and emotionally resonant horror film worth watching, especially for those who want their scares layered with meaning.