Metacritic reviews

One of the most ingenious, amusing and oddly affectionate horror movies of the year -- a bloody bonbon that you chew with relish. [22 May 1987, p.6]

Dolls is still ultimately minor-key Gordon, exhibiting nowhere near the level of ambition or invention of many of his hot-house splatter classics, but it has been rendered with an artisanal level of craftsmanship that distinguishes it as an almost-hidden horror gem, ready for rediscovery.

Dolls leaves no cliche unmined, with the result that every scary moment is its own comic relief. [27 Mar 1987, p.L]

Dolls remains only an idea, a concept. It doesn't become an engine to shock and involve us.

Although the concept of small dolls coming to bloodthirsty life sounds scary, its fear factor decreases rapidly after the initial shock.