Black Christmas Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

Trailer
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😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

🍿 Black Christmas: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Sorority Sisters Targeted

Hawthorne College students prepare for the holiday break, but a series of murders begins targeting sorority sisters. Riley Stone, still dealing with the trauma of a past assault, and her friends Kris, Marty, Jesse, and Helena, find themselves at the center of the escalating violence. Kris has also angered the DKO fraternity and Professor Gelson by protesting misogynistic aspects of the university’s history.

Black Christmas Scene 1

The Talent Show and Escalating Threats

The sorority sisters participate in a DKO talent show, using their performance to confront rape culture. This act further fuels the animosity against them. Soon after, they start receiving threatening messages from a Caleb Hawthorne account, mirroring what happened before a previous student was murdered. As more sisters go missing, the threat becomes increasingly real.

Black Christmas Scene 2

Unmasking the Conspiracy

As the attacks intensify, the surviving sisters discover the killers are not just random individuals, but part of a larger conspiracy connected to the university’s founder, Caleb Hawthorne, and his misogynistic beliefs. A strange black goo, emanating from a bust of Hawthorne, seems to be influencing the male students, driving them to violence.

Black Christmas Scene 3

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

If you plan to watch the movie first, watch here and come back to this section afterward.

🎬 Cast & Characters

  • Riley (Imogen Poots): A sorority sister grappling with past trauma who becomes a target and a fighter against a misogynistic conspiracy.
  • Kris (Aleyse Shannon): A vocal and outspoken feminist student who actively challenges the college’s patriarchal traditions, making her a target.
  • Professor Gelson (Cary Elwes): A controversial professor who resists teaching works by women and is later revealed to be a key figure in the conspiracy.
  • Brian Huntley (Ryan McIntyre): The president of the DKO fraternity and Riley’s rapist, embodying the toxic masculinity the women fight against.
  • Landon (Caleb Eberhardt): A friendly and supportive student who gets caught up in the conspiracy and is manipulated by the fraternity.
  • Helena (Madeleine Adams): A seemingly supportive sorority sister who secretly works with the fraternity, betraying her friends.

💬 Memorable Quotes

  • Kris: “You messed with the wrong sisters.” – Kris says this to the possessed frat members as they fight back against them.

💰Box Office

  • Budget: $5,000,000
  • Domestic Gross: $10,429,730
  • Worldwide Gross: $18,529,730

💥 Black Christmas Reviews

Personal Review

I really wanted to love this movie, especially with its strong female characters. The themes of female empowerment and fighting back against toxic masculinity are important, but I felt like the execution was clunky. The scares were minimal, and the plot became a bit absurd with the black magic element. While I appreciate the message, it didn’t quite deliver as a satisfying horror experience for me. I did enjoy the ending though when they all burned the house down!

  • Who would enjoy:
    • “Fans of slasher films with a feminist perspective”
    • “Viewers interested in social commentary within the horror genre”
    • “Those who enjoy films about female empowerment and fighting back against oppression”
  • Content warnings ⚠:
    • “Depictions of violence”
    • “Themes of sexual assault”
    • “Strong language”
    • “Suggestive content”

Professional Reviews

  • Variety: “A well-intentioned but ultimately ineffective slasher film that tries to blend social commentary with horror, but ends up feeling preachy and lacking genuine scares. The film’s PG-13 rating further dilutes any potential for impactful violence.
  • The Hollywood Reporter: “While ‘Black Christmas’ attempts to modernize the slasher genre with a feminist twist, the execution feels heavy-handed and the scares are minimal. The film struggles to balance its social message with the demands of a compelling horror narrative.
  • RogerEbert.com: “This remake is a disappointing attempt to merge social commentary with the slasher genre. It ends up feeling toothless due to the PG-13 rating and lack of genuine scares, overshadowing its important themes.

Audience Reactions

The female empowerment message was a hit with many viewers.: Many appreciated the film’s attempt to address social issues within the horror genre, even if the execution was flawed.

Some viewers found the film predictable and lacking in genuine scares.: Several viewers commented that the PG-13 rating significantly weakened the horror elements.

Overall Consensus: A divisive remake that aims for feminist empowerment but falls short on delivering scares, resulting in a preachy but ultimately unfulfilling horror experience for many.

Awards

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🛠️ Behind the Scenes

  • “The film received a lot of backlash after the first trailer was released due to what many felt were extreme spoilers.”
  • “This is the second remake of the original 1974 film, following the 2006 version.”
  • “Universal Studios/Blumhouse marketed the film towards a younger audience, resulting in a PG-13 rating and less gore than previous installments.”

🖥️ How to Watch Black Christmas?

Black Christmas (2019) is available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable on-demand options as well. Availability may vary depending on your region.

Black Christmas Scene 5

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Black Christmas, you might like these similar films:

  • Black Christmas (1974): The original slasher film that started the Black Christmas franchise, offering a more suspenseful and classic horror experience.
  • Black Christmas (2006): A gorier, more violent remake of the original, appealing to those seeking a more graphic slasher experience.
  • Scream (1996): A meta-slasher that blends horror with dark humor, featuring strong female characters who fight back against a masked killer.

🛒 Black Christmas Related Products

  • Black Christmas (1974) [Blu-ray]: Own the original proto-slasher that inspired a generation of horror films. This Blu-ray edition features a pristine transfer and bonus features, allowing you to experience the classic in all its chilling glory.
  • Black Christmas (2019) – Digital Download: Download the 2019 ‘Black Christmas’ remake in HD. Experience the modern retelling with its themes of female empowerment and fight against toxic masculinity. Watch on your favorite devices anytime, anywhere.
  • Black Christmas Movie Poster: Decorate your room with a high-quality print of the ‘Black Christmas’ (2019) movie poster. A striking piece of art for horror fans and movie enthusiasts.
  • Horror Movie Trivia Game: Test your horror movie knowledge with this challenging trivia game. Includes questions about classic slashers, including the ‘Black Christmas’ franchise. A fun game for horror buffs of all levels!

🎧 Soundtrack

Black Christmas features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

Is the 2019 Black Christmas a remake?

Yes, it is a remake of the 1974 film of the same name, although it takes significant liberties with the plot and themes, offering a more modern and socially conscious perspective.

What is the black goo in Black Christmas (2019)?

The black goo is a supernatural element connected to Caleb Hawthorne, the university’s founder. It’s used in a spell to possess male students and compel them to commit violence against women who challenge the established patriarchal order.

What are the themes explored in Black Christmas (2019)?

The film explores themes of toxic masculinity, rape culture, female empowerment, and the fight against patriarchal oppression within academic and social institutions. It also touches on the importance of female solidarity and confronting trauma.

🔥 Bonus Content

Exploring the Greatest Christmas Horror Movie

Want to see what all the fuss is about with ‘Black Christmas’? This video dives into the original and explains why it’s considered a horror classic. Seriously, it’s way creepier than you might think!

Black Xmas (2006) – Movie Review

Ever wondered if the ‘Black Christmas’ remake from 2006 is any good? This review breaks it down, comparing it to the original and discussing its use of gore. Honestly, I’m curious to hear what you think after watching this!

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