The ‘Black Christmas’ Remake Is Actually Worth Watching

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  • The ‘Black Christmas’ Remake Has Great Characters

As a horror enthusiast with over two decades of experience under my belt, I can confidently say that the 2006 remake of Black Christmas is a hidden gem worth revisiting every festive season. While it may not have won critical acclaim or box office success, it has certainly found its niche audience, much like how some of us find solace in our favorite holiday traditions.

Occasionally, stepping back from a film can help one truly value it. When the 2006 reboot of “Black Christmas” was unveiled, it received poor reviews and lackluster ticket sales. However, supporters of the 1974 original, masterfully directed by Bob Clark and highly esteemed by many horror enthusiasts, felt that the remake missed the mark entirely. The reboot focuses on graphic violence and unnecessary gore, while the original is a masterful exploration of mood and tension.

1974’s “Black Christmas” demonstrated Clark’s approach of ‘less is more’. Regrettably, the remake’s creators seemed to overload viewers with unnecessary details and background, which somewhat diminished its enigma. However, once you accept that the remake won’t surpass the original in terms of greatness, “Black Christmas” (remake) can be appreciated as a B-movie slasher that thrives on its distinctive qualities. It’s far from flawless, but it offers a fun and spooky holiday horror experience nonetheless.

As a passionate cinephile, I must share my thoughts on Glen Morgan’s reimagining of the classic horror flick, “Black Christmas.” Often referred to as “Black X-Mas” among peers, this modern take weaves together some familiar storylines from the original film but offers a richer backstory.

In the sequel to the original movie, similar ominous, unsettling phone calls are received by the female characters. These calls reference individuals named Billy and Agnes, who were portrayed as the rantings of a madman in the 1974 version. However, the remake delves deeper into the identities of Billy and Agnes, providing a history for them through flashbacks from the past. It appears that the sorority house was previously inhabited by these two characters, and it seems they are displeased with the current residents. The film boasts an impressive cast including Katie Cassidy, Michelle Trachtenberg, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Oliver Hudson, Lacey Chabert, Kristen Cloke, Crystal Lowe, and Andrea Martin, who reprises her role as housemother from the 1974 movie.

The ‘Black Christmas’ Remake Is Guilty Pleasure Fun

Black Christmas is most delightfully savored as an unabashed indulgence without aiming to become a recognized horror classic. The movie may fall short in creating palpable suspense, but it compensates with gruesome and intense kill scenes that are sure to captivate horror enthusiasts. Some of these scenes are particularly effective due to their outrageous campiness and obvious ties to the film’s Christmas motif.

One character is taken out with a sharpened candy cane while a fallen icicle spells the end for another. The remake takes the original film’s iconic eyeball-through-the-door shot and features ripped-out eyeballs (in one instance, one is eaten), which is meant to be an homage to that infamous moment but with a more gory twist. Black Christmas leans into how gross it is and how trashy the circumstances are and doesn’t shy away from it. It’s a slasher film that knows exactly what it is.

The main point of contention in the remake revolves around developing background stories for characters Billy and Agnes, which can be challenging to justify yet brings its own rewards. What made the original chilling was the phone calls hinting at potential harm to Agnes by someone named Billy; however, this mystery remained unsolved. With each call, more clarity emerges about any encounter between them, but the viewer never uncovers the motive behind the killer’s twisted mindset.

In the new adaptation, it seems as though the creators are anticipating contemporary viewers seeking an explanation for the murders. They delve deeply into the characters’ past, reducing some of the terror but providing unique enjoyment instead. The flashbacks depict a grim and depraved childhood for Billy and Agnes, revealing they were raised in a dysfunctional home with a mother who was a murderer and had an unnatural desire to be intimate with her own son (it’s later revealed that this is how Agnes came into being).

The flashbacks are presented in an engaging manner, as parts of the narrative unfold when the current-day characters share tales about the house, making it seem like a captivating urban myth or a macabre ghost story. It might not have been ideal to further develop Billy and Agnes’ personalities, but the remake does manage to inject humor into its grim scenes, adding an element of fun to the overall production.

The ‘Black Christmas’ Remake Has Great Characters

The Black Christmas remake has gained a small but dedicated fanbase primarily due to its well-developed characters, particularly the women. Each character is unique, adding depth and intrigue to the movie. Kelli Presley, portrayed by Cassidy, stands out as a strong and resilient final girl who embodies compassion for all residents in the house. The remaining female characters offer a witty, darkly comedic undertone with their individual snarky personas.

Dana Mathis played by Chabert seems to embody a harsher version of Gretchen Wieners from “Mean Girls,” while Trachtenberg, who later portrayed the cunning Georgina Sparks on “Gossip Girl,” gave an early glimpse of her villainous side as Melissa Kitt. Viewers have warmly received “Black Christmas” as the slasher genre’s equivalent to “Mean Girls” (alongside “Sorority Row”), and it’s evident that the actors enjoy developing these intriguing characters.

Despite initially underperforming at the box office with just $16.3 million in domestic earnings and a low 14% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the movie “Black Christmas” has stood the test of time. It garnered $30.1 million in DVD sales, solidifying its status as a cult classic, and has become an annual Christmas must-watch for horror enthusiasts. Some fans even pair it with the 1974 original to indulge their love for horror movies. And if you’re wondering, it’s definitely more enjoyable than the 2019 remake. Best of all, you can stream “Black Christmas” for free on Tubi.

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2024-12-26 04:03