Author's name - Diane Sismour
dsismour@gmail.com
 https://www.dianesismour.com
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TITLE
"The Doll Keeper"
Author: Diane Sismour

Logline:
When tween girls vanish in sync with the release of a collectible doll series, a distraught mother and a tormented FBI Agent race to locate the "doll house" before the Doll Keeper abducts the final victim.

 SYNOPSIS
In a chilling tale of abduction and survival, DIXIE MARTINEZ, (10) introvert, brings a collectible doll to school that mirrors her appearance and is abducted two blocks from her home. SARAH LUTZ (12), smart, tomboy, is overwhelmed with guilt and believes she is responsible for the abduction of her best friend because she allowed Dixie to walk home alone. Months later, a new doll that resembles Sarah is released.

After an altercation at school, EMMA BROPTS (12) primadonna, bully, refuses to give Sarah a ride the next morning, and Sarah is abducted. She awakens in a  4x4 foot closet-like cage designed to resemble a doll box, where Dixie, now an ally of their captor, MARTHA MERTZ (30s) husky, brutal, instructs her on the rules of survival. Martha, who has formed a bond with Dixie over the dolls, displays shelves of dolls representing her past ‘friends.’

FBI SPECIAL AGENT PETERSON (Late 40s), fit, stoic, follows a lead given by her son ARIZONA (12) mature, compassionate, to investigate the connection between the missing girls and the dolls. As the FBI narrows the search through the list of doll purchasers, the situation within Martha’s house grows dire. One of the captive dolls loses hope and dies, while another takes her own life in despair. Sarah feels responsible for their deaths and is forced by Martha to help dispose of the bodies. During this grim task, she discovers a hidden door leading to the garage, sparking hope for escape.

The arrival of Tracy, the tenth and final girl, marks the completion of Martha’s live doll collection to match the collectibles. Sarah assists TRACY, (11) street smart, to adapt to the strict rules. Martha becomes obsessed with acquiring a new doll offered exclusively to collectors with five or more collection series. As Martha’s focus shifts to finding a new girl to match the doll, Sarah realizes that the dolls on the shelves represent those who have died and convinces the others to join her in an escape plan.

JILLIAN LUTZ, (30s) Sarah’s mother, and MARIE MARTINEZ, (30s) Dixie’s mother, broadcast a warning to protect girls who resemble the next collectible doll. This warning coincides with the arrival of the special anniversary doll that resembles a girl recently abducted by her non-custodial father. Using a police scanner, Martha locates this girl. The father intervenes, leading to a police chase that ends at Martha’s house. In a desperate bid for freedom, the girls manage to trap Martha in a cage, but not before Sarah is critically injured while protecting Dixie.

As Sarah recovers in the hospital, rekindling her friendship with Arizona, a shocking discovery is made: fifty-three sealed five-gallon buckets containing human remains are found in Martha’s garage. DNA tests reveal Martha’s connection to a girl who was abducted thirty years ago. In a haunting conclusion, a doctor and Maria observe Dixie on the hospital’s pediatric psychology floor, as she begins to imitate Martha’s behavior and commands dolls around a tea party, suggesting the horror cycle can continue.

Awards

2025 Austin Film Festival Second Rounder

2025 NYX Horror Collective Semi-Finalist

2025 Stowe Narrative Lab

2025 WRPN International Women's Film Festival Awarded: Winner Best of Festival-Platinum Screenplay

2025 Atlanta Women's Film Festival - Winner Best Horror/Thriller Screenplay

2025 Austin After Dark Selection

2025 Hollywood Best Indie Film Festival Awarded: Winner Best American Screenplay