Ho-Ho-Horror: Films to Add to Your List this Holiday Season
Christmas is upon us, and what better way to get in the spirit than with holiday horror? While so many people love to cozy up during this holiday season with classics like Home Alone or It’s a Wonderful Life, there are so many options for people who want a little more carnage with their Christmas cookies.
Black Christmas (1974)
When it comes to Christmas horror, Black Christmas is arguably one of the most notorious holiday season films. Since the original in 1974, there have been loose remakes in 2006 and 2019. The 1974 horror classic made a name for itself as one of the first slashers. This film mixes iconic stalk-and-slash tropes with what feels like a classic home invasion. A chilling and eerie atmosphere exists from start to finish, making it the staple in holiday horror it is to this day.
We follow a group of girls at their sorority house during Christmas break. The ladies begin to receive unwanted phone calls from an unknown caller. However, as the night goes on, the phone calls become much more violent and scary. They begin to realize this caller poses a much greater threat when the girls start to go missing one by one. This change in their night leads them to a scary realization the killer is much closer than they ever could have imagined. They learn that their house holds a dark history, one that this killer is connected to.
When Black Christmas was released, it received mixed reviews. While some found it to be a slow-paced film packed with unnecessary kills, others saw it as ahead of its time, providing great twists with genuine shock. Since then, it has gained a much larger following and become a staple for many horror lovers.
It’s A Wonderful Knife (2023)
It’s a Wonderful Knife is a twisted take on a Christmas classic. It delivers a fun mix of gore and humor. The slasher adds a supernatural element when the main protagonist finds herself traveling to a different reality. Grab a snack and cozy up, ready to watch a unique and wild experience for this holiday season.
Winnie Carruthers is a teen living in Angel Falls. On Christmas Eve, a masked killer strikes and Winnie stops him before she suffers a terrible fate from his knife. When she unmasks the killer, it is revealed to be the Angel Falls mayor, Henry Waters. We then fast forward one year later, and Winnie has become anything but a town hero for stopping the killer. After another depressing Christmas Eve, Winnie makes a wish that will change the course of her life forever. She wishes she was never born. Unfortunately, that means she was never around to stop the Angel Falls killer; he is back and more brutal than ever. Winnie and an unlikely ally must team up to stop the killer and get her back to her original timeline.
Upon its release, the film received mixed reviews. The overall consensus was that it was a fun watch but did not go as deep as it could have. The film uses classic slasher and holiday tropes to its advantage. The enjoyable cast helps deliver that chilling, angsty, and exciting holiday spirit.
Better Watch Out (2016)
This dark and comedic holiday home invasion is a great watch to add to your list. The film starts with what appears to be your basic home invasion horror but quickly takes a turn that you never see coming. With so many twists and turns this movie will have you on the edge of your seat all while still keeping you in the holiday spirit with its overall atmosphere.
Better Watch Out follows Ashley, a 17-year-old babysitting 12-year-old Luke Lerner. The night starts like any other and quickly changes when intruders break into the home. However, as the evening goes on there is so much more to the story than Ashley could have ever imagined. Luke is twelve, but he is a lot more capable than Ashley gives him credit for. The only problem is Luke has very dark and ulterior motives. Better Watch Out has twists and turns that are perfectly laid out and will leave you utterly shocked.
The film received much praise when it was released. Many people stated how impressed they were by the young cast and how they executed the storyline perfectly. The blend of holiday cheer and horrific chaos is what has made this movie such a fun holiday season watch.
P2 (2007)
If you are looking for a holiday horror with minimal gore but all the creepy vibes, P2 is the perfect choice. This film centers on the psychological aspect of horror. It takes place on Christmas Eve, and a young woman finds herself trapped with a deranged man who has an unhealthy obsession with her.
Angela Bridges is a young woman who overworks herself every year. Her job is her number one priority. This year, Angela finds herself working late on Christmas Eve. When she goes to leave and meet her family, she discovers that her car has died; she is now locked in the building. Her only companion is the security guard, Thomas. After an awkward encounter with Thomas, Angela is drugged and wakes up chained to a table in his office. Thomas has been watching Angela for a long time and is determined to have her spend Christmas with him. The night turns into a deadly game of cat and mouse. Will Angela escape Thomas and his disturbing attempts at keeping her?
P2 does a tremendous job of building tension and leaving you questioning what lengths Thomas will go to for Angela. The film uses Christmas music throughout, evoking an eerie and dark vibe to what are usually holiday classics. Unfortunately, the film was not received well at the box office when it was released. However, P2 received praise for its ability to make the viewer feel the claustrophobic atmosphere that Angela experiences.
Silent Night Deadly Night (1984)
Silent Night Deadly Night has become a cult classic for many during the holiday season. Over the years, the film has had many sequels and a loose remake. Silent Night Deadly Night mixes classic slasher elements with the always fun holiday themes.
The film starts as we follow a family who is traveling. They are attacked by a man dressed as Santa, ultimately leading to the parent’s demise. Their son, Billy, witnesses it all and is left with a fear of Santa and a connection between Christmas and chaos. As Billy grows up his obsession surrounding the event he witnessed increases. The present-day Billy is now working at a toy store but begins to break under pressure and feels he must punish anyone he deems “naughty”. Billy dresses in the beloved Santa suit while he commits these gruesome murders.
The film performed well at the box office when it was released. Surpassing Wes Craven’s A Nightmare on Elm Street, before it was pulled from theaters. The film received quite a bit of backlash at the time due to Santa being a staple for families during the holiday season. Protests broke out and threats were made to some theaters. Above all else, the film is a cheesy and fun Christmas slasher to watch.
