MOVIE REVIEW
Carnage for Christmas
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Genre: Drama, Horror, LGBTQIA2S+
Year Released: 2024
Runtime: 1h 10m
Director(s): Alice Maio Mackay
Writer(s): Alice Maio Mackay, Ben Pahl Robinson
Cast: Jeremy Moineau, Dominique Booth, Zarif, Joe Romeo, Yassica Switakowski, Lewi Dawson, Olivia Deeble, Lisa Fanto, Iris Mcerlean, Toshiro Glenn, Molly Ferguson, Cassie Hamilton, Betsey Brown, Zelda Adams
Where To Watch: Montreal premiere, shown at the 2024 Fantasia Film Festival

RAVING REVIEW: CARNAGE FOR CHRISTMAS brings a chilling twist to the festive season, showcasing the narrative know-how of Alice Maio Mackay. At just 19, she’s reshaping the film world from within, one film at a time; with CARNAGE FOR CHRISTMAS, she weaves a dark and suspenseful story that diverges sharply from traditional holiday themes. Set in the sweltering heat of an Australian Christmas, this film layers mystery and terror over a backdrop reserved for joy and celebration. This isn't your typical Silent Night; it's more of a Violent Night with Mackay's chilling twists and turns.

Mackay’s fresh take on festive storytelling in CARNAGE FOR CHRISTMAS transforms the typical holiday festivities into a tense and thrilling narrative. A seemingly quiet town becomes the center of unfolding horror driven by the legend of The Toymaker, a character whose tragic fall from grace casts a shadow over the community’s celebrations. Central to this tale is Lola, portrayed by Jeremy Moineau, a true-crime podcaster whose return to her hometown stirs up personal ghosts and awakens a menacing threat. The halls are decked with bows of horror as Mackay unwraps layers of terror in a town where Christmas cheers turn to Christmas fears.

The screenplay, created jointly by Mackay and Benjamin Pahl Roberson, blends individual traumas with a broader communal menace, driving the plot forward with urgency and intensity. Despite a compact runtime of just 70 minutes, the film delivers a developed story, enhanced by striking cinematography that uses bold colors to create a hauntingly surreal atmosphere.

In CARNAGE FOR CHRISTMAS, Lola and other characters, such as Charlie (Zarif) and Danielle (Dominique Booth,) delve into the dark waters of their town’s past to confront a killer threatening their present. Their journey highlights the resilience and bravery required to face such darkness and brings to light the struggles of those on the fringes of society. However, the film's quick pace sometimes feels like it flies past some significant moments, leaving certain plot elements underexplored.

Mackay’s film distinguishes itself within the genre by delivering well-timed jump scares and embedding deeper psychological and societal themes that resonate long after the credits roll. The interplay of light and shadow heightens the suspense and metaphorically explores the dualities of her characters' lives. This approach enriches the viewing experience, making it a multidimensional exploration of fear and identity.

The film cleverly reinterprets established horror tropes, such as the murderous Santa, using them to explore deeper themes of identity and perseverance. Mackay’s nuanced depiction of LGBTQIA2S+ characters provides a fresh and relevant twist to the genre, inviting the audience to rethink preconceived notions within the context of a holiday horror scenario. It feels like we’re making headway, at least in independent films where characters like this exist in the world and don’t have to be shoehorned into the stories!

In a film where tinsel meets terror, Mackay crafts a holiday horror that sleighs with both suspense and substance. CARNAGE FOR CHRISTMAS is not just a seasonal fright fest but a significant marker of Mackay’s growing narrative capabilities and her keen insight into human stories within horror frameworks. The film solidifies her standing in indie cinema and hints at her potential to innovate further within and beyond genre boundaries. For anyone drawn to horror with a meaningful narrative, this film offers an engaging blend of psychological depth and visceral excitement.

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[photo courtesy of ONE MANNER PRODUCTIONS, DARK STAR PICTURES]

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