The Curse of Robert Cast: Robert Cast, a young and ambitious entrepreneur, was known for his ruthless tactics in the business world. He quickly climbed the ladder of success, amassing wealth and power along the way. However, his rise to the top was not without consequences. Legend has it that Robert Cast made a deal with the devil to achieve his success. In exchange for his soul, he was granted unlimited riches and dominion over his competitors. But like all deals made with the devil, there was a catch – a curse that would haunt him for eternity.
As with the first film of this series, I didn’t hate THE CURSE OF ROBERT and I look forward to seeing where the story of this cursed doll goes next. We’ll find out next week with ROBERT THE DOLL & THE TOYMAKER!
There are also some nice nods to the original Robert, which actually still resides in a museum with a sign telling the passers-by to ask Robert for permission to take a picture or you re bound to be cursed by the evil forces who reside in the doll. But her peaceful graveyard shift turns into a time of terror when she discovers that one of the exhibits, a creepy vintage doll named Robert, is alive and wreaking havoc after hours.
But like all deals made with the devil, there was a catch – a curse that would haunt him for eternity. The curse of Robert Cast came in the form of his own reflection. He could no longer bear to look at himself in the mirror, as his once handsome face now appeared distorted and repulsive.
THE CURSE OF ROBERT (aka THE CURSE OF ROBERT THE DOLL, 2016)
Robert the doll is back! Stolen from the crime scene from the end of the first film, the doll is given to the owner of a museum and set up as a cursed attraction for a big profit. When a young and naïve student named Emily (Tiffany Ceri) gets a night shift job at the museum, she is immediately spooked. And when the bodies of her co-workers begin piling up, she teams up with hunky nightwatchman Kevin (Jason Homewood) to uncover the evil secrets surrounding the doll who looks like a constipated Willem Dafoe.
While the ROBERT THE DOLL series hasn’t impressed me as much as the BAD BEN series did, I will say that there is a level of production that is better than your average lower tier horror film. Shot mostly at a single location and utilizing very little effects other than spurts of blood here and there, director/writer Andrew Jones (who directed and wrote the original ROBERT THE DOLL) produces a slick and moody looking film. There are some decent suspenseful moments as Robert scurries around in the shadows of the museum. There are also some nice nods to the original Robert, which actually still resides in a museum with a sign telling the passers-by to ask Robert for permission to take a picture or you’re bound to be cursed by the evil forces who reside in the doll. While there have been few real life incidents surrounding the doll after it was placed in the museum, it’s nice to see the true tale of the doll is still being incorporated into this series.
It is an interesting choice to depict the doll in the way it is shown in the movies. The real doll is much scarier looking in my opinion as it has no expression and a blank face. For me, that is a much more frightening face than the scrunched up puss of the movie doll. I guess those eyes with one milky iris is kind of creepy, but as usual, I find Robert’s true form much scarier than fiction.
There’s a bit of a divergence from the original in terms of how Robert works. In the original, Robert seems to be much more of an evil influence than an actual moving and killing toy. There is one scene where Robert takes a bat to someone in the original, but for the most part, it’s more of an evil pall cast over the home than an actual active doll. For me, that is what separated Robert from his American counterpart Chucky. But in THE CURSE OF ROBERT, Robert is much more active in his killing. POV shots show him moving low to the ground. He pops up behind people and actually wrestles with his victims with razors and other weaponry. The Robert in this film takes more of a hands on approach to his kills. The low fi way the doll is simply moved by someone off screen can be viewed as hokey or charming depending on your tolerance for low budget cinema. I found the jerky way Robert moves to me kind of unsettling, so it worked for me. Still, Robert moves in the cheapest way possible and it shows.
I was impressed that this film is working with some kind of continuity. THE CURSE OF ROBERT has an appearance from ROBERT THE DOLL star Suzie Frances Garton, reprising her role from the original. It also introduces a character who looks to be playing a major part in the next film, the Toymaker (played by Lee Bane) who is layered under some really plastic looking old man make-up effects. Still, it’s fun seeing them expand the Robert Universe a bit in this one.
As with the first film of this series, I didn’t hate THE CURSE OF ROBERT and I look forward to seeing where the story of this cursed doll goes next. We’ll find out next week with ROBERT THE DOLL & THE TOYMAKER!
I was impressed that this film is working with some kind of continuity. THE CURSE OF ROBERT has an appearance from ROBERT THE DOLL star Suzie Frances Garton, reprising her role from the original. It also introduces a character who looks to be playing a major part in the next film, the Toymaker (played by Lee Bane) who is layered under some really plastic looking old man make-up effects. Still, it’s fun seeing them expand the Robert Universe a bit in this one.
It was a constant reminder of the dark pact he had made. As the years passed, Robert Cast's wealth and power grew, but so did his inner torment. He became increasingly paranoid and isolated, fearing that others could see the ugliness he saw in himself. He surrounded himself with bodyguards and closed off from the world, living in a fortress-like mansion. The curse extended beyond Robert Cast himself. Those who crossed his path suffered the consequences as well. Many of his business rivals met with mysterious accidents or financial ruin, leading some to believe that the curse extended to anyone who dared to challenge him. Despite his success, Robert Cast's life became an endless cycle of fear and despair. He could no longer find solace or joy in his achievements. The curse had taken everything from him – his humanity, his relationships, and ultimately, his soul. In the end, Robert Cast's curse proved to be his downfall. As he lay on his deathbed, surrounded by his vast wealth and empty achievements, he realized the true cost of his greed and ambition. He had sacrificed everything for material gain, only to be left with a tortured soul and a legacy of destruction. The curse of Robert Cast serves as a cautionary tale for those who value power and wealth above all else. It reminds us that true success cannot be measured solely in terms of financial gain, but rather in the contentment and happiness that comes from leading a balanced and meaningful life..
Reviews for "Unrest in the Ether: The Haunting Curse of Robert Cast"
1. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I was really excited to watch "The Curse of Robert Cast" after hearing all the hype, but unfortunately, I found it to be quite disappointing. The storyline was confusing and lacked depth, leaving me feeling unsatisfied. The acting was mediocre at best, with some performances feeling forced and unnatural. Additionally, the special effects were underwhelming and failed to create a truly haunting atmosphere. Overall, "The Curse of Robert Cast" fell short of my expectations and I wouldn't recommend it to others seeking a truly scary and well-crafted horror film.
2. John - 1/5 stars - I honestly can't understand why there is so much buzz around "The Curse of Robert Cast". It was a complete waste of my time. The plot was convoluted and poorly executed, making it difficult to follow or become invested in the story. The performances were wooden and uninspiring, and the cheap jump scares felt forced and predictable. The characters lacked depth and their decisions often felt unrealistic. I found myself yawning throughout the movie, desperately hoping for something to spark my interest, but it never came. Save yourself the disappointment and skip "The Curse of Robert Cast".
3. Emily - 2/5 stars - As a fan of horror movies, I was truly let down by "The Curse of Robert Cast". The film relied too heavily on jump scares and cheap thrills, rather than creating a genuinely eerie and unsettling atmosphere. The plot felt disjointed and left several loose ends unresolved, leaving me feeling unsatisfied. The performances were lackluster, and I failed to form any real connection or empathy for the characters. The occasional graphic scenes felt gratuitous and didn't contribute much to the overall narrative. Overall, "The Curse of Robert Cast" failed to deliver a memorable horror experience and left me wanting more substance and depth.
4. Mark - 2.5/5 stars - "The Curse of Robert Cast" was a mediocre horror film in my opinion. While it had some intense moments, the overall execution was lacking. The plot was shallow and the characters felt one-dimensional. The acting ranged from average to subpar, which made it difficult to feel invested in the story. The scares often relied on loud noises rather than building suspense, which felt cheap and ineffective. Despite its potential, "The Curse of Robert Cast" failed to leave a lasting impression and left me feeling underwhelmed.