Red Christmas

Red Christmas is an audacious Australian horror film that released back in 2016 and masterfully blends the festive spirit of Christmas with the chilling nuances of a horror movie. Esteemed director and writer, Craig Anderson, showcases his talent for creating an alluring and at the same time terrifying narrative. The movie stars the well-respected veterans of the film industry: Dee Wallace, a revered actress known for her performances in an array of classic horror films, David Collins, a seasoned actor famous for his comedic roles and gifted actor Geoff Morrell. This thrilling horror creation attempts to take viewers on a nerve-racking journey by infusing the typically cheerful and heartwarming holiday season with unexpected dread and fright.

Red Christmas is primarily set at the family home of Diane, a character poignantly portrayed by Dee Wallace. She’s a determined matriarch who seeks to bring her extended family together for one final Christmas celebration before selling the longtime family abode. This includes her children Hope (Deelia Meriel), Ginny (Sarah Bishop), Suzy (Janis McGavin) and Joe (Gerard Odwyer), as well as Ginny’s husband Scott (Bjorn Stewart), Suzy's husband Peter (David Collins) and their children.

The film commences with a typical cozy and warm family Christmas atmosphere characterized by joyous cheers, bickering, and familial affections. Director Anderson carefully establishes each character's idiosyncrasies and individual personalities thereby providing the audience a picture of a normal yet somewhat dysfunctional family.

However, the humor-filled, relaxed family atmosphere suddenly turns into a horrifying ordeal with the unexpected arrival of a mysterious cloaked stranger named Cletus (Sam Campbell). Cletus is a disfigured man that hides himself under a long black cloak and a ghastly mask. His entrance to the family gathering instantly injects terror and anxiety into the otherwise jolly ambiance. The film unfolds in a clever, chilling way and builds on this ominous threat and turns it into frightening proportions.

Dee Wallace's performance as Diane is one of the key highlights of the film. She magnificently portrays a protective mother and family matriarch who is willing to fight and protect her family's safety. Her performance, blending raw horror and moments of fortitude, complements the movie's threatening atmosphere. David Collins, playing Peter, and Geoff Morrell playing the character of an eccentric uncle, along with the rest of the ensemble cast, add their unique touches, underlining the film’s psychological intensity.

Director Craig Anderson's mise-en-scene is skillful and well-thought-out. He has cleverly staged each scene and manipulated the on-screen space, effectively building tension and suspense. Instead of relying on gore or sinewy horror tropes, Anderson focuses more on anticipation and atmosphere to send chills down the viewer's spine. Red Christmas also features an interesting interplay of light and shadows to create an eerie effect, further intensifies the movie's horror elements.

Despite being a horror film, Red Christmas breaches usual boundaries to address a number of social and pertinent issues. There is inclusion and portrayals of people with Down Syndrome, a pregnant woman showing her baby bump, and controversial themes around abortion. This thoughtful inclusion of sensitive topics hints at the movie's audacity to not just thrill viewers, but also stimulate thoughtful reflections and conversations, setting it apart from your regular horror movie.

The unique fusion of a festive and cheerful holiday season with a grisly and terrifying horror movie setting is what makes Red Christmas an appealing watch. It does not just aim at terrifying its viewers with startles and scares. Rather, Red Christmas masterfully capitalizes on its unique setting, a skillfully layered narrative, meaningful character portrayals, and thoughtful societal references to offer a well-rounded horror film experience.

In summation, Red Christmas promises a fresh and thrilling horror experience set amidst the goodness cheer of the holiday season. The blend of Anderson’s clever direction, Wallace’s heartrending performance and the ensemble cast’s convincing acting along with an intriguing narrative makes Red Christmas an interesting addition to your view list that enables viewers to both savor the holiday spirit and experience the thrill of a horror film.