Red Christmas is a horror film directed by Craig Anderson that follows a family gathering for the holidays that is instantly turned into a nightmare after a stranger comes to their doorstep. The film features Amie Wrenn, Dee Wallace, and Geoff Morrell among its cast members. The story is set in Australia, and opens with a disturbing scene that introduces us to a young woman named Cletus, who is walking through a forest, heavily pregnant, and covered in blood. She is screaming in agony, and it is not immediately clear what has happened to her. As the story unfolds, we learn that Cletus is a survivor of an abortion, and has come to find her birth mother (played by Dee Wallace) with the intention of seeking revenge.
The family gathers at the matriarch's home on Christmas Day, and tensions are already high between the siblings. They are joined by a handful of guests, including one who is hoping to convince the family to sell their land to a mining company. Just as they are sitting down to dinner, a stranger (played by Gerard O'Dwyer) arrives, dressed in an animal mask and carrying a rifle. The family is hesitant to let him in, but when he reveals that he was adopted from a nearby orphanage, they allow him to stay.
Once inside, the stranger reveals himself to be Cletus, who has now changed her name to the gender-neutral 'Crusher' and plans to kill each family member one by one. What follows is a gruesome and bloody slasher movie, full of shocking twists and turns.
One of the strengths of the movie is the performances of the cast members. Dee Wallace is especially convincing as the matriarch, who is fiercely protective of her family but also has her own demons to contend with. Gerard O'Dwyer is equally compelling as the killer, managing to inject both vulnerability and menace into his performance. Amie Wrenn, who plays the black sheep daughter of the family, also delivers a strong performance, particularly in the scenes where she confronts her mother about her past.
Another standout element of the movie is the score, which is haunting and unsettling, adding to the tension and creating a palpable sense of dread. The film also makes excellent use of sound design, with each gunshot and stab wound feeling visceral and impactful.
As horror movies go, Red Christmas is not for the faint of heart. The movie is incredibly violent, with numerous scenes of gore and brutality. However, these moments are balanced out by a sharp script that manages to blend in dark comedy with the horror. There are a few moments of levity, particularly in the interactions between the family members, that help to make the movie feel more well-rounded.
Overall, Red Christmas is a solid horror movie that will appeal to fans of the genre. It's not perfect - there are a few plot holes that stand out, and the pacing is a bit uneven at times - but it's a fun and entertaining ride that manages to be both brutal and entertaining.
Red Christmas is a 2014 horror movie with a runtime of 55 minutes.
