Having its Montreal premiere at FANTASIA 2024 is Alice Maio Mackay’s Carnage For Christmas, a festive slasher whodunnit and a spirited ode to Christmas horror classics such as Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984) and Bob Clark’s Black Christmas (1974).
True crime podcaster Lola (Jeremy Moineau) returns to her insular hometown for Christmas for the first time since leaving as a teenager. Whilst there, a local killer legend seemingly rises from the grave and begins to dispatch local residents. Using her investigative knowledge and steely nerve, Lola must not only fight off the creepy Toymaker Killer, but she must also come against the small-town bigotry that plagued her childhood.
One of the most prolific recent independent horror directors, Alice Maio Mackay once again knocks it clearly out the park when it comes to not only creating a modern ode to some of the most beloved b-movie classics, but also imbuing Carnage For Christmas with a sense of queer joy, whilst also touching poignantly on important issues that are experienced within the LGBTQIA+ community. The mystery element of the film will keep audiences guessing until the reveal, and contains enough inventive gore set pieces to satiate gorehounds, including a particular highlight of the inclusion of a particular Viking torture method. As audiences begin to be privy to the reason why Lola has such a disdain for her hometown, the film never falls into a stereotypical trope of trans trauma porn, and with Moineau’s performance as the protagonist Lola played with a sharp but likeable wit, viewers will find themselves feeling part of Lola’s inner circle, in much the same vein as listeners feel towards their favourite podcasters.
Featuring a seriously creepy Santa mask and costume, Carnage For Christmas is a continuation of Alice Maio Mackay’s winning cinematic streak and showcases her incredible talent for making queer punk DIY horror.
5 Screams out of 5.
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