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1[[quoteright:350:[[VideoGame/SilentHill2 https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Nurse2_2757.jpg]]]]
2[[caption-width-right:350:"Time for your daily pipe bath!"]]
3
4This is when a robot, ClockworkCreature, golem, [[TheUndead undead]], [[MindControl mind-controlled]] or other human-sized and -shaped entity moves as if it were a puppet on a string. In the process, it defies the laws of anatomy and gravity by [[AbnormalLimbRotationRange bending in unnatural ways]] and [[PowerFloats floating]]... all without strings. Alternately, it might move like a broken animatronic robot, as if its insides had less articulation than a 3-inch ''Toys/GIJoe'' figure.
5
6Usually used for {{horror}} stories because it is just (un)naturally creepy. To accentuate the eerie motion, camera tricks like [[JitterCam jitters]], SlowMotion and speeding up may be used. GhostlyGlide may also be used to suggest invisible strings suspending the figure in question.
7
8Sometimes combined with DemonicHeadShake. Compare LimpAndLivid. Contrast ZombieGait, which while similar is actually ''more fluid''. For the art of rag dolling, see {{contortionist}}.
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10----
11!!Examples:
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13[[foldercontrol]]
14
15[[folder:Anime & Manga]]
16* ''Manga/SaintSeiya'':
17** In the Hades chapter, the specter Minos Gryphon can turn his enemies into PeoplePuppets. [[CombatSadomasochist The sadist enjoys]] twisting them and breaking them to "put on a show", at one point turning this power on [[spoiler:Gemini Kanon]].
18** In the {{prequel}} ''Manga/SaintSeiyaTheLostCanvas'', he looks forward to fighting especially {{Bishonen}} Gold Saint Pisces Albafica because he'd make a good puppet.
19* In ''Manga/InuYasha'', the victims of Yura of the Hair.
20* ''Manga/PandoraHearts'': This is how people under [[PeoplePuppets Duldee's]] control move. They even clatter like ''actual'' puppets.
21* ''Anime/PrincessTutu'':
22** [[spoiler:The title character moves like this while in Drosselmeyer's world.]]
23** One episode features the Doll's Waltz, a [[ShownTheirWork real ballet routine]] meant to look like this.
24[[/folder]]
25
26[[folder:Films -- Animation]]
27* Linguini on ''WesternAnimation/{{Ratatouille}}'', because he is literally being moved like a marionette. A rat riding inside his chef's hat controls him by tugging on his hair.
28* Creator/JanSvankmajer 's films own this page!
29* Mr. Clipboard from ''WesternAnimation/FoodFight!'' moves like this to such a ridiculous degree that WebVideo/JonTron refused to comment on it during his review out of fear that he ''might have a disability''.
30* In a rare heroic example, both [[DemBones Jack Skellington]] and [[ScaryStitches Sally Patches]] from ''WesternAnimation/TheNightmareBeforeChristmas'' have very spidery, spooky motions. Jack in particular tends to crouch and crawl around a lot.
31[[/folder]]
32
33[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]
34* Among other tricks such as choreography, in the film adaptation of ''Film/SilentHill'' the eerie, jittery movements of the nurses were done by the actresses walking backward. The footage was later reversed.
35%% * In ''Film/MirrorMask'', the box mannequins have this. So ''very'' much. And to the tune of [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=re-6eOhrejE "Close to You"]], no less.
36%% * When the... ''thing'' in ''Film/{{Splinter}}'' controls bodies, this is how they move.
37%% * The BossBattle in ''Film/{{Stardust}}'' features a very well-done duel with a magically animated dead swordsman who moves this way.
38%% * The android Ash does this when hit over the head in ''Film/{{Alien}}''.
39%% * ''Film/ANightmareOnElmStreet3DreamWarriors'' had this with one of it's victims, who ''was'' being controlled as a marionette by Freddy in his dreams.
40%% * ''Film/{{Mama}}'' has this with both [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ins7QwvAp28 Mama]], and the younger sister Lily.
41* Ultron does this in ''Film/AvengersAgeOfUltron'' when he uses the body of a robot of the Iron Legion that was heavily damaged earlier in the film. Also counts as RuleOfSymbolism as Ultron sees the Avengers as "puppets tangled in strings".
42* In The remake of ''Film/HouseOnHauntedHill1999'', {{undercrank}}ing accompanied by deliberately slow movements resulted in a jerky style for the ghosts (particularly Vannacutt).
43* In ''Film/{{Gamer}}'', the BigBad leads himself and several mind-controlled mooks in a marionette dance to mock Creator/GerardButler's character for his lack of autonomy.
44%% * The zombies in ''Film/TrainToBusan'' move like this, particularly after they've broken their limbs.
45* ''Film/BramStokersDracula''
46** Two of the Brides do this briefly after Dracula catches them with Harker. Backing away in a weird jerky motion while growling inhumanly.
47** Likewise Lucy does this after she's turned into a vampire and confronted with a cross. Backing into her coffin in an unnatural movement.
48* Some of the vampires in ''Film/FromDuskTillDawn3TheHangmansDaughter'' so this in a sped up fashion to showcase their inhuman nature.
49* ''Film/{{Thunderbirds}}''. The Hood uses his PsychicPowers to control Brains as a PeoplePuppet, and in a MythologyGag on the original UsefulNotes/{{Supermarionation}} characters he walks around like this trope.
50[[/folder]]
51
52[[folder:Literature]]
53* ''Literature/TheWarAgainstTheChtorr''. During ''A Rage For Revenge'', [=McCarthy=] gets [[DrowningMySorrows suicidally stoned]] and wanders into a Chtorran nest where he has a weird dream in which Ted (a male former LoveInterest who joined the Telepathy Corp) helps him back to his vehicle where he'll be safe. When [=McCarthy=] looks at the camera footage the next day to find out what happened, all he sees is himself doing a SillyWalk like someone else is controlling his body. [=McCarthy=] just puts this down to the drugs and doesn't consider the possibility that he's been secretly implanted by the Telepathy Corp.
54* In ''Pandemonium'', the sequel to ''Literature/{{Fragment}}'', the isolated subterranean ecosystem's most frightening ambush predator is the "ghost octopus": a creature that drops onto its prey from tunnel ceilings. It wraps itself across the victim's back, grapples their appendages with tentacles that manipulate the individual joints, then severs the brain stem to turn the carcass into a pliable "steed". As humans' bipedal gait is difficult for them to replicate, ghost octopus-ridden human corpses move like this trope or on all fours.
55[[/folder]]
56
57[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
58* ''Series/CriminalMinds'': In "[[Recap/CriminalMindsS8E10TheLesson The Lesson]]", an [=UnSub=] makes marionettes [[BodyHorror out of living human beings]].
59* ''Series/{{Angel}}'': Illyria when she first takes control of her new body.
60* The dead astronauts in ''Series/DoctorWho'' episode "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS30E8SilenceInTheLibrary Silence in the Library]]"/"[[Recap/DoctorWhoS30E9ForestOfTheDead Forest of the Dead]]". Likewise in "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS36E5Oxygen Oxygen]]".
61* The HumongousMecha in older ''Franchise/SuperSentai'' seasons sometimes slipped into this during wirework stunts.
62* In the ''Series/{{Supernatural}}'' episode "[[Recap/SupernaturalS01E05BloodyMary Bloody Mary]]", the titular character moves this way when she leaves her mirror.
63* ''Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine'': Used for BlackComedy when a hostage exchange goes wrong in "[[Recap/StarTrekDeepSpaceNineS06E10TheMagnificentFerengi The Magnificent Ferengi]]". The bungling Ferengi accidentally kill their prisoner, implant him with controlling devices and trying walking him towards the Vorta, who seems to think he's been tortured horribly by the evil Federation. "What have they ''done'' to you?"
64* ''Series/KamenRiderExAid'': When [[spoiler: Kuroto Dan]] uses Dangerous Zombie [[TransformationTrinket gashat]] to transform into Kamen Rider Genm, he jerks and convulses his body like a zombie. It becomes his default when he is low on [[SanityMeter SAN]] [[MadScientist points]].
65* ''Series/LazyTown'': An unconscious Sportacus's movements become this when under the control of the Remote-Controller 6000, which functions similarly to that of puppet strings.
66* ''Series/UltramanZ'': Victims staggering around in a marionette-like pattern is the first signs of possession by the PuppeteerParasite villain, Celebro.
67[[/folder]]
68
69[[folder:Music Videos]]
70* Music/{{Rihanna}}'s "Disturbia" music video.
71* The "evil clowns" in Pink's music video for "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jdjtqu3XK4U Funhouse]]".
72* In the Music/TalkingHeads music video "Once in a Lifetime", David Byrne's dance is about halfway between a marionette and an epileptic fit.
73* This style of dancing is used by a lot of [[KoreanPopMusic k-pop]] artists, but a particularly memorable example can be seen in Music/TwoPM's [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKtvDv7eykg music video for "Heartbeat"]] in which the members utilize the style of broken-body dancing to show how their hearts are being controlled by a scornful girl and how they are helpless to stop it. At a few points in the dance, they are even shown as being [[MarionetteMaster controlled]] by one of their own.
74** Also, B.A.P's debut single [[http://youtu.be/G9zHlWfl2tw "Warrior"]] has the members move this way when they are being controlled by [[MarionetteMaster Zelo]]. At the end of the video, they even surround him in {{Marionette Motion}} and shoot him dead.
75** Expression Crew's ''[[https://youtu.be/yhCIMLa2SFA Marionette]]'' performance is also a notable example as the crew members wear masks during it, making them seem even more puppet-like. The primary "puppetteers" are also typically dressed in white clothes, making them stand out among the "puppets."
76* The music video for Music/{{NSYNC}}'s "Bye Bye Bye" featured the boys being manipulated like marionettes by the young woman with whom they are presumably breaking up. The resulting marionette motion is incorporated into their dancing.
77* Ian Curtis of JoyDivision was known to [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5ELh_9aPbE dance this way]]
78[[/folder]]
79
80[[folder:Professional Wrestling]]
81* In the ''Wrestling/LuchaUnderground'' promo where Catrina taunted Fenix about the imminent return of Mil Muertes, [[TerribleTrio the Disciples of Death]] also made their debut- three skull-masked figures perched above Fenix on top of the lockers, moving in this eerie, jerky manner. It produced the distinct impression that not only might these guys not be your average luchadors, they may not even be ''human!''
82[[/folder]]
83
84[[folder:Softwares]]
85* As with traditional animation, the most basic components of computer animation are keyframes: each movement of a character is broken into a series of poses, and the intervening space is filled in with "tween" frames that transition between these poses. The trouble, however, is that computers are very bad at anatomy, and a poorly keyframed movement can find a character momentarily demonstrating any and all of the many jittery, twitching, gravity-defying, limb-flailing forms of Marionette Motion. Amusingly, a newer CGI animation technique known as digital puppeteering can help {{Def|ied}}y such accidental trips through {{Body Horror}} land: first, the artist defines [[GoingThroughTheMotions a collection of simple, fluid animations for basic movement types]] like walking, getting up from the ground, extending an arm, looking right and left, etc. Then a series of controls are created that allow these to be mixed, matched, and blended on the fly. The exact setup varies from artist to artist; one might use a motion capture system to mimic traditional marionette puppeteering, another might create a hidden control box [[note]] For example, a sphere might be used to point the character's eyes and head, a joystick-like object might make the character lean in various directions, a box sliding on a track might open and close their hands, etc.[[/note]], another might script an interface that lets them use a game controller to enter commands. Done properly, it allows the artist to work with the animation intuitively in real time, and creates much more fluid and natural-looking results.
86[[/folder]]
87
88[[folder:Video Games]]
89* ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid4GunsOfThePatriots'': The result of Screaming Mantis using her weapon on people.
90* The various nurses in the ''Franchise/SilentHill'' franchise (and quite a few monsters besides, for that matter).
91* Appropriately enough, the Marionettes in ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry1'' move this way, and they even still have strings on their limbs.
92* Some of the more humanoid-shaped Nobodies in ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsII'' move this way.
93* This is briefly encountered in ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTwilightPrincess'' during the portion where you must navigate the Lost woods. The Skull Kid unleashes groups of actual man-sized marionettes on you which move in this way to attack you.
94* Possessed Humans act like this in ''VideoGame/GhostbustersTheVideoGame'', coupled with GlowingEyesOfDoom and GhostlyGlide.
95* The [[spoiler: ghost of the [[MadArtist Artist's]] dead wife]] appears as this in ''VideoGame/LayersOfFear''. She ambushes you at certain points if you get too close or ignore warnings on the walls, netting you a nasty JumpScare. Notes around the house explain that the wife's twitches stem from nerve damage caused by a fire that disfigured her in the past.
96* The lurching of the ghost people in ''VideoGame/FalloutNewVegas'' would qualify. They lurch about as described due to their flesh being fused to their heavily stiffened hazmat suits.
97* Marionette Soldiers in ''VideoGame/EldenRing'' are terrifying on first sight, attacking you by rapid-firing their bows with both pairs of hands or swinging all four of them with swords like a walking blender.
98[[/folder]]
99
100[[folder:Web Animation]]
101* ''WebAnimation/{{RWBY}}'' has [[spoiler: the Knuckleavee, a horse-like creature with a humanoid torso attached to its back.]]
102* Brandon Rogers’ Cut-Out Art Animations: Wonka on Acid, The Tale of Wendylin Wayne, and The Jabberwocky.
103[[/folder]]
104
105[[folder:Web Videos]]
106* In the finale of ''WebVideo/ThereWillBeBrawl'', [[spoiler:The Butchers, [[VideoGame/{{Mother}} Lucas and Ness]], animate and voice [[PeoplePuppets the stuffed corpse]] of Peach to taunt Luigi for his failure to save her]].
107[[/folder]]
108
109[[folder:Western Animation]]
110* On ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender'' and its SequelSeries, ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra'', this affects anyone under the influence of [[PeoplePuppets blood bending]].
111* Ren does this in the ''WesternAnimation/RenAndStimpy'' episode "Stimpy's Invention", while wearing the Happy Helmet.
112* Marceline's father, from ''WesternAnimation/AdventureTime''.
113* In ''WesternAnimation/TheLittleRascals'' episode "The Zero Hero", the Cocoa Spuds[[note]]representing the sponsor of Darla's favorite TV show[[/note]] dance as if they were marionettes (though no strings are visible).
114* In ''WesternAnimation/TheAmazingWorldOfGumball'', the Robinsons and their son Rocky are 3D puppets animated as if they were actual Muppets.
115[[/folder]]

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