The young scientist in question is named Rick Myers, and he is working on a project to create an artificial intelligence that can learn and evolve on its own. However, his progress is impeded by a group of evil creatures known as "The Totems," who are determined to kill him and stop his research.
One day, Rick discovers a strange case containing the puppets of the infamous "Puppet Master" Andre Toulon. The puppets have the ability to come to life and move on their own, and they immediately take a liking to Rick. With their help, Rick is able to fend off attacks from The Totems and protect his research.
However, things take a turn for the worse when The Totems manage to capture Rick's love interest, Dr. Leslie Piper. With the help of the puppets, Rick sets out to rescue Leslie and put an end to The Totems once and for all. Along the way, he learns more about Toulon's past and the mysterious power of the puppets.
Puppet Master 4 is a horror movie that combines elements of science fiction, action, and supernatural fantasy. While it features the same iconic puppets as the previous films in the series, it can be enjoyed as a standalone story and doesn't require knowledge of the earlier movies.