In 1989 Texas, a notorious war criminal named Andre Toulon struggles with the shadows of his past while attempting to initiate a romantic encounter with a bartender. However, upon discovering her sexual orientation, he is filled with disgust. In a fit of rage, he sends his malevolent puppets to gruesomely eliminate her and her lover that very night. Fast-forward to the future, rookie police officer Carol Doreski pursues Toulon to his lavish mansion, where she ultimately apprehends him after a tense standoff involving a firearm.
Jump to 2019, where Edgar Easton, played by Thomas Lennon, finds himself struggling to piece his life back together following a messy divorce. In an effort to reconnect with the past, he endeavors to reignite his relationship with his childhood crush, Ashley Sommers. While reminiscing, Edgar stumbles upon a peculiar puppet named "Blade," which belonged to his late younger brother. This chance discovery sparks an undeniable curiosity in him, prompting him to search online about its origins and, startlingly, find that it was crafted by none other than Toulon—the infamous creator of twisted puppet shows pre-war.
As their relationship deepens, Edgar, along with his quirky boss Markowitz, sets off on a road trip to auction this unsettling doll at the Brass Buckle Hotel, which is hosting an exhibition dedicated to Toulon’s macabre creations. However, upon their arrival, Edgar and Ashley encounter a series of bizarre and unnerving incidents, including ghostly phone calls and the puppet appearing to move on its own.
Their escalating experiences lead them to a spine-chilling tour of Toulon’s mansion, where they are guided by none other than Carol Doreski herself, now a specialized tour guide focusing on Toulon's legacy. As visitors delve into the sinister history, they discover Toulon's assets were built upon a foundation of horror, involving the abduction and torture of countless innocent victims when he arrived in America. His mausoleum—erected through the funds of a distant relative—serves as a grim reminder of his heinous acts.
As the night unfolds at the hotel, Edgar and Ashley are rocked by the shocking realization that "Blade" has mysteriously vanished. Upon reporting the theft to the receptionist Howie, their concerns are brushed off as paranoia. Yet, as the night wears on, a disturbing series of murders erupt, targeting individuals who are either people of color, Jews, or homosexuals. Edgar begins to discern a disturbing connection between these killings and Toulon's dreadful legacy.
Amidst the chaos, an unexpected hero arises in the form of Cuddly Bear, the enigmatic bartender who ignites the crowd's spirit, organizing a bold escape into the parking lot. However, their fleeting hope is dashed by a relentless swarm of violent, sentient puppets that ruthlessly dispatch those who attempted to flee. A small group of survivors—including Edgar, Ashley, Markowitz, Doreski, Howie, and Nerissa—find refuge within the hotel walls.
As they grapple with their precarious situation, Edgar grows increasingly convinced that the marionettes are fueled by a deeply ingrained, toxic ideology. Intuitively, Markowitz offers a Hanukkah prayer, unwittingly calling forth one of these diabolical puppets into the kitchen. Ignorant of the true nature of their adversary, the survivors manage to incapacitate it and uncover an eerie amethyst glow inside its hollow frame. However, they unwisely separate into smaller groups, each isolated from one another, deepening their vulnerability.
As tensions mount throughout the night, Markowitz persuades Edgar to assist in a daring rescue mission, which tragically ends with the bartender's demise. In his final moments, Markowitz advises Edgar and Ashley to use a nearby dumpster as a makeshift escape route to soften their fall. Sadly, Nerissa also attempts to join them but suffers a fatal blow upon impact.
Simultaneously, the puppets mercilessly hunt down the remaining survivors, including Doreski and Howie. Edgar, increasingly certain that Toulon's mausoleum holds the key to the puppets' power, takes drastic action. He rams his truck into the mausoleum, successfully neutralizing the puppets but inadvertently resurrecting Toulon’s lifeless body as a zombie. In a shocking twist, the undead puppet master brutally slays Ashley before shuffling into the wilderness.
In a bittersweet aftermath, Edgar eventually finds success as a comic book artist, depicting his harrowing experience at the hotel. However, when a fan inquires whether Toulon has truly been defeated, Edgar’s silence speaks volumes, his eyes betraying the unshakable horrors he has witnessed.
