Black Christmas. It was a film that was originally released in 1974. In the years since, it’s become a bit of a cult hit. In most of the Christmas horror lists I’ve seen, Black Christmas is usually at the top. And for good reason.
Earlier this year, Dave McRae and Bruce Dale unleashed an unofficial sequel to that 1974 classic. At first, I was going to let it pass without a review. Something that try not to do much of. But revisited the thought again when had seen some of the strong recognition it was getting.
Was the film deserving in the high praises it was receiving? Hell yes it was. It channels everything that made the original film so successful. It brought that 70s feel to the modern time.
The film follows on 50 years after the events of the original film. One of the biggest highlights was seeing a definitive ending to the film. We follow the granddaughter of Jess Bradford, Sam and her friends. They were journeying up to her late grandma’s house one last time to spend Christmas there. Unbeknownst to them, there was more to the house than initially thought.
The pacing of this film is fast. It helps that the runtime is roughly 48 minutes. But ever once did I find myself thinking that it was too slow or too fast. It was the perfect pace for the story they wish to tell. There were a few of the techniques that were established in the original that reemerged.
The acting is incredibly top notch. Everybody brought their A game. Each of the girls (Victoria Moreo, Malaika Hennie-Hamadi and Shelby Handley) bring so much depth and relatability to their character. It also helps that there is so much chemistry in their friendships. Dave McRae does an incredible job as the voice of Billy. He is able to channel that character in such a way that I even forgot that this wasn’t an official sequel. And Bryan Charles Peter is great as Billy. He emulates everything that made Billy such an iconic character in that original film.
Before I knew it, the film was over. I was shocked that it had just flown by. This has now entered the same level as Womp Stomp’s Friday series. Keeping and honoring what came before, yet making it their own. And I just wish we get more of it. Especially after that ending.
Would I recommend it? Yes I would recommend it. This is a fantastic love letter and helps illustrate that there is more that could happen with this idea. And it helped raise the bar for fan films like WOMP STOMP did before them.
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