Nato – Child’s Play: John Simonsen’s Voodoo Backfire
We all know Charles Lee Ray is able to transfer his soul into Chucky because of a voodoo curse, and it’s John Simonsen who teaches Charles that very curse. Taking him under his wing as a pupil earlier in life, John imparts all his wisdom unto Charles, only to see his teachings twisted by a maniacal madman concerned with cheating death – a professional hazard. Simonsen knows Charles Lee Ray isn’t a good man, and blames himself for thinking otherwise, but what happens next could never have been predicted, as Charles confronts John in doll form after being shot and feeling physical harm.
John, confused, sees Chucky in all his glory, and this is also the first free-moving shot we see of the doll as well. It’s in this moment that Chucky goes from an angry doll to a living, breathing entity capable of chaos and destruction, starting with poor John Simonsen. Finding a John voodoo doll, Chucky breaks the poor man’s bones and tortures him for information, demanding to know how a plastic doll can bleed. This is where Chucky learns about the soul transference, his bodily manifestation in the doll, and his connection to Andy Barclay.
Sadly for John, the information doesn’t save his life, and a stab to his voodoo doll’s heart leaves him laying on the floor waiting for death.