The Doll on AllMovie

This interesting but uneven psychological drama about the slow mental deterioration of a night watchman is helmed by one of Sweden's more noted independent directors, Arne Mattsson. The story is set in a rather rundown house, where the night watchman (Per Oscarsson) lives in a rented room, as do several other residents. He is a lonely individual, and just how lonely is brought home one day when he catches some thieves trying to rob a store while he is on duty. They escape but knock over a display of dolls on their way out. As he is setting the display right again, the watchman takes a fancy to one of the dolls and decides to bring it back to his room. From that point onward, the doll gains in importance in his life until it becomes as real as a female companion -- a substitution that can only lead to tragedy.