Critics largely dismissed the film as a cliché "sophomore slump" for James Wan after the groundbreaking success of Saw .

The film's journey is a classic case of an underrated gem finding its audience over time.

Jamie discovers the murder is tied to Mary Shaw, a lynched ventriloquist who was buried with her collection of handmade dolls.

Wan utilizes a gothic, hyper-stylized palette heavy on deep blues and aggressive reds.