The Dummy Detective

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The Dummy Detective

2025

1h 29m

Comedy

Crime

Mystery & Thriller

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7 Reviews

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

In the spirit of Clue and Knives Out, THE DUMMY DETECTIVE follows Detective Van Trillo, a real-life ventriloquist, and his wooden partner as they investigate a string of bizarre murders inside a secluded inn filled with eccentric guests.

Jonita Davis

The Black Cape (Medium)

Jan 13

The film plays with the genre in a style reminiscent of the Naked Gun films, but with an underlying darkness akin to that of Who Framed Roger Rabbit? Oh, and there are actual dummies — the kind that ventriloquists use.

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Ethan Padgett

Film Threat

Jan 6

8.5/10

Anyone who loves a good mystery and the crime genre will be thoroughly entertained by The Dummy Detective.

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Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

Dec 21

3.0/4.0

Don't be a dummy. Check out The Dummy Detective.

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Tim Brennan

About Boulder

Dec 15

If you’re making a movie about a ventriloquist detective, you need to be prepared to go to some strange places. What we’re left with is a screenplay that promises something much weirder than it actually delivers.

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Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

Dec 12

4/5

…with Sean Young leading a committed ensemble cast and a traditional whodunnit structure, The Dummy Detective is easy to watch and fun to try and guess where the story is going; the ventriloquism angle is fresh and adds novelty to ancient conceits…

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Amanda Mazzillo

Film Joy

Dec 4

The Dummy Detective is filled to the brim with jokes, delightful absurdity, and surprising twists. If a detective comedy starring a ventriloquist with his dummy as partner sounds like a fun time, you definitely should check out The Dummy Detective.

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Trevor A.

@TrevorAust24 1d

Definitely a great film to watch if you like both ventriloquist dummies and murder mysteries. 10 out of 10 😊

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Ric E

@RT72735379 1d

My wife and I love a good detective mystery story. This one did not disappoint. If like a good mystery, I recommend it. Also, if you love ventriloquism, like I do, that’s just a bonus.

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Jordana L

@JordanaB 4d

Great movie! The premise is awesome and Jonathan Geffner brings the story to life with his acting!

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Appel B

@RT10885013 Mar 10

I loved the movie i really like ventriloquism and puppetry so if your fan of that this is movie for you

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Tina C

@Tichi Mar 9

I watched this movie with my daughter who loves ventriloquism. We both enjoyed it so much. We will be watching it again. Definitely check it out

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J.E. R

@JE786 Mar 9

This fun movie is a pleasant respite from the complex world we are living in. It also captures subtleties of relationships. Where people or in this case manipulated people have words put into their mouths! Literally. One cannot watch this as a movie and miss the age old symbolism in ventriloquism. The two voices in our minds. The constant back and forth. The projected dialogue constantly have with ourselves! The plot is just a means for a deeper look at ourself and life's dilemmas. If you dont get it you wont like it. It's a mirror Thanks Jonathan and Trillo.

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Rob Margolies

Director

Sean Young

Actor

Jonathan Geffner

Actor

Deborah Twiss

Actor

Ed Altman

Actor

Kristin Samuelson

Actor

The Dummy Detective: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

In the spirit of Clue and Knives Out, THE DUMMY DETECTIVE follows Detective Van Trillo, a real-life ventriloquist, and his wooden partner as they investigate a string of bizarre murders inside a secluded inn filled with eccentric guests.

Director: Rob Margolies
Producer: Rob Margolies
Screenwriter: Jonathan Geffner
Distributor: Filmhub
Production Co: Different Duck Films
Genre: Comedy, Crime, Mystery & Thriller
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 18, 2025
Runtime: 1h 29m

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