This photographer transforms 54 action figures into a mashup of cinematic scenes and wild pop culture

If you’ve ever looked at an action figure and thought it was something from a movie, Chuck Eyler is already several steps ahead. The Chicago-based artist known as Killcutter creates elaborate toy photographs that transform plastic characters into the stars of gritty movie scenes. Using handmade dioramas, practical effects, carefully controlled lighting, and a keen eye for composition, he recreates memorable moments from film and television while inventing mash-ups that are both surprising and magically believable.

If you look closely at these images, you’ll notice a lot going on. It may feature familiar characters in scenes that seem lifted straight from a blockbuster or set up a crossover that no studio would greenlight, but somehow it works perfectly. Chuck treats each frame less like a collectible photograph and more like a miniature piece that builds atmosphere through texture, shadow, scale, and pose. The result is an impressively crafted body of work that is at once playful and nostalgic, especially for those who grew up loving the characters and worlds he reimagines through his lens.

We reached out to Chuck to learn more about his path to this creative work and what it took to develop it. Scroll down to read the interview and vote for your favorite scene. To see his behind-the-scenes content and learn more about his process, check out his social media pages and YouTube channel.

Chuck explains how he started toy photography: “Like many people, I was looking for a new creative outlet during the pandemic. I was able to use my photography and Photoshop skills while the city was basically shut down. I was looking for something. One weekend I was visiting my nephew, who is a big Marvel and Star Wars fan, and I saw him playing with a Hulk action figure, and it occurred to me: What if I photographed the toys in a realistic, cinematic way?”

“I quickly realized that my ‘original idea’ was actually a popular niche on Instagram, and instead of being discouraged, I was completely inspired. Seeing so many talented artists doing great work inspired me to start my own account and share what I was making. The positive feedback kept me going and gave me an excuse to keep being creative every week. And before long, I was hooked.”

“It wasn’t just photography that I fell in love with, it was the whole process: brainstorming story ideas, building sets, figuring out lighting, posing people, and solving little silly problems along the way. Since then, I’ve been lucky enough to make meaningful connections and gain exposure that have opened doors beyond my hobby.”

When asked to sum up Killcutter Toy Photography in one word, he said: “Killcutter uses handcrafted sets, controlled lighting, and practical effects to create cinematic, story-driven pictures where action figures meet fine art, transforming small-scale scenes into epic film-inspired worlds.”

Chuck explained the appeal of toy photography as a storytelling medium: “Toy photography allows you to tell big cinematic stories on a small scale. I love the challenge of photographing a completely inanimate object and giving it emotion, weight, and storytelling through lighting, composition, and atmosphere. Creative problem solving, building sets and props, adjusting framing and composition, And I love forcing myself to find a way to make everything feel grounded and believable. In many ways, it’s all at once, while incorporating nostalgic elements and using the characters I grew up with as “models.” It’s like directing a movie where each frame is carefully crafted. ”

“I approach each miniature world the same way I approach a scene, or story, in a movie. I usually start with a loose story or atmosphere, and then build or adapt a set to support it, with scale and realism in mind. The sets are well-worn and designed to create environments that feel lived-in and believable. It’s handcrafted from foam, paint, and found materials. From there, the lighting does most of the heavy lifting. I treat it like a full-size movie set. It’s all about subtle adjustments, using shadows, contrast, and practical effects to sell the atmosphere, and when everything is in place, the images are shot primarily in-camera to maintain realism rather than overwhelm them.”

Regarding the influences behind the look and tone of his work, Chuck says: “My visual style prioritizes atmosphere, mood, and emotion, especially film and television. I’m heavily influenced by sci-fi, fantasy, horror, and superhero genres. I’m drawn to strong lighting, deep shadows, and compositions that feel like single frames inspired by my favorite filmmakers. Nostalgia also plays a big role, as a lot of my subject matter comes from the movies, comics, and toys I grew up with. But I’m also interested in other toy photographers, painters, illustrators, concept artists, and miniatures. We take inspiration from all kinds of creators, including builders and traditional photographers who focus on storytelling over spectacle, and seek to reinterpret those worlds with a darker, more cinematic edge.

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