Synopsis
American Dollhouse is a psychological horror film set during the Christmas season.
The story follows a troubled woman who inherits her childhood home while attempting to escape a chaotic life in the city marked by addiction and mounting debt. Hoping the quiet environment will provide a fresh start, she returns to the house where she grew up.
But the retreat quickly turns disturbing.
A deeply unstable neighbor becomes obsessed with her after noticing she bears a haunting resemblance to the neighbor’s deceased mother. What begins as unsettling attention soon escalates into something far more dangerous. As the obsession spirals out of control, the woman’s friends begin disappearing one by one.
Her return home soon transforms into a twisted, blood-soaked Christmas nightmare where trust erodes, identities fracture, and survival becomes uncertain.
About American Dollhouse
American Dollhouse is a Christmas-set psychological horror film that draws inspiration from classic -slasher films while exploring deeper themes surrounding grief, identity, addiction, and obsession.
The film is written and directed by John Valley, and the project was created by independent filmmakers passionate about genre storytelling and practical filmmaking, and its premiere at SXSW will mark a significant milestone for the team, as the project was created by artists and technicians passionate about independent filmmaking.
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Director and Cast
American Dollhouse is directed by John Valley, and the cast includes Hailley Lauren, Kelsey Pribilski, Tinus Seaux, Danielle Evon Ploeger, and Richard C. Jones.
The ensemble cast helps bring the film’s unsettling story of obsession and psychological unraveling to life.
Trailer
Images
Release Date
American Dollhouse will have its world premiere at the SXSW Film Festival on March 14, 2026 in Austin, Texas.