Normally, the mention of Christmas evokes imagery of warmth and celebrations. But all that is overrated. Who wouldn’t love a good murder story that happens during such a celebratory period? The irony of it sounds delicious, doesn’t it? If you are as dark as us, here are some Christmas murder stories that are right up your alley.
Black Christmas (2019)
The title says it all.
It’s Christmas, there are teenagers, and rampant murders are happening. Hawthorne College is winding down for the holidays but as a bunch of sorority sisters prepare for a series of festive parties, a masked killer begins to take them out one by one. As the body count increases, the girls start to question the men around them. Could it be someone’s boyfriend? Or a Professor? But wherever the killer is, he sure as heck did not expect to see that these girls are not easy to mess with. Starring Imogen Poots, Lily Donoghue, Aleyse Shannon, Brittany O'Grady and Cary Elwes, there is no short of eye candy for your entertainment.
This Black Christmas is a remake of the 1974 movie of the same name, starring Olivia Hussey (known for playing Juliet in the 1968 Romeo and Juliet) and Margot Kidder, before she became ace reporter Lois Lane. While this version sees the girls helpless, relying on the police to find the killer, the updated 2019 version is a different story. The sorority girls in the updated movie has no issues fending for themselves, and it’s satisfying to watch.
Better Watch Out (2016)
We’ve seen a fair share of home invasion movies, and this puts a fresh twist to the genre. It’s the holiday season, and on a quiet suburban street, things are not what they seem. Babysitter Ashley (Olivia DeJonge) is watching over two kids (Levi Miller and Ed Oxenbuld) when an intruder breaks into the house. But soon, you will realise that it’s not an ordinary home invasion. The intruder isn’t after money or valuables in the home. Hiding out in the attic, the trio must find a way to outwit the intruder. But is there something more than meets the eye? Just when you think you know the twist, something shocking happens and makes you question if you’ve really got it figured out.
Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale (2010)
This is one wildly imaginative Christmas movie that might just be on your annual Christmas movie watch list. It’s Christmas Eve and in northern Finland, an “archaeological” dig has uncovered the real Santa Claus! But this isn’t the Santa you want down your chimney. After his rescue, the local children started to go missing, and two reindeer hunters decide to take matters in their own hands by capturing Santa and selling him to the rich corporation that sponsored the dig. However, Santa’s elves were enraged upon discovering this and go on a mission to bring Santa back. A wild, bizarre and hilarious chase ensues, giving us a fantasy tale quite like any other we’ve seen before.
Krampus (2015)
Things are not going well for young Max over the holidays. As his parents, played by Adam Scott and Toni Collette (before her role of a lifetime in Hereditary), clash during the festive season, he is left disillusioned about the notion of Christmas and turns his back on it. What he doesn’t know is that his lack of festive spirit has unwittingly unleashed the wrath of Krampus, an ancient demonic force that is determined to punish non-believers. His anger causes items related with Christmas to turn into monsters. Toys turned evil, Christmas baubles become turned monstrous, and the house experiences a pandemonium that threatens to destroy everyone.
Directed and written by Michael Dougherty, who also wrote and directed Trick ‘r Treat (2008) and Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019), Krampus is an enjoyable blend of comedy, drama and fantasy. Will Max’s family survive Krampus’s wrath? If they do, will Max believe in Christmas again? You’ll have to watch to find out.
