Connie (2016), directed by Cat Davies, is a lively and affectionate riff on the classic “evil puppet” setup, blending horror and comedy with a confident sense of style. The film centers on Dolly Diggs, played with real charm by Catrin Stewart, an aspiring stand-up comic paralyzed by stage fright. Hoping to finally break through, she buys a ventriloquist puppet named Connie – who turns out to be anything but supportive.

Connie, voiced by Stewart as well, is rude, aggressive, and hilariously unpredictable. Her barbed insults and chaotic temperament inject the short with a strong comedic pulse. As Dolly begins to find her voice and even a bit of romance, Connie’s jealousy turns the partnership into a full-blown power struggle.

Davies uses tight pacing, playful visual cues, and clever music choices to keep the tone light yet mischievous. The film feels packed with love for horror history, but it never leans so hard on references that it loses its own personality. While the short occasionally feels a touch long for its premise, it compensates with inventive direction and a wonderfully chaotic performance pair from Stewart.

Funny, stylish, and self-aware, Connie stands as an entertaining step forward for Davies and a welcome addition to modern comedy-horror shorts.