Official synopsis
Down-on-his-luck impressionist Sam Reinhold makes a pact with Fergus — a wicked, strings-attached puppet that holds the promise to propel Sam to stardom, unleashing a nightmare that threatens the safety of those he holds dear.
Review
Director Kristoffer Polaha’s Mimics is a comical thriller with romantic comedy and light horror elements. It blends evil ventriloquist dummy tropes (think Magic, Dead of Night, Devil Doll, and the episode “The Dummy” of The Twilight Zone TV series) with a Faustian bargain tale, though the protagonist isn’t initially fully aware of what he is getting himself into.
Polaha stars as Sam Reinhold, a grocery store employee who longs to be a standup comedian. A too-good-to-be-true offer is made to him by a mysterious talent agent, which he takes up. Part of the deal is that he must perform with a ventriloquist dummy named Fergus, and anyone who has seen any previous dummy vs. entertainer fright fare knows what Sam and those close to him — in this case, love interest Virginia (Moriah) and his grandfather Melvin (Stephen Tobolowsky) — are in for.
Mimics doesn’t set out to frighten or shock. It does boast a fair share of suspense and some death-by-dummy set pieces, but what Polaha and screenwriter Marc Oakley aim for is an emphasis on relationships including how fame can change people and the lengths that some will go to for loved ones. The humor is thoughtful rather than going for belly laughs, and the drama is solid and avoids heading into corny territory. Polaha paces the proceedings well, and he and Moriah do fine work heading up an impressive, sizable cast.
Fear-fare aficionados who have significant others not fond of straight horror movies should find big-hearted Mimics to be a solid choice for a date-night option that should keep both parties happy.
Mimics, from Panoramic Pictures, opens in theaters on February 13, 2026.
