The Elf Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A dude inherits a toy shop and accidentally unleashes a cursed elf doll with a family naughty list that’s surprisingly efficient at killing people despite terrible production values and inconsistent weather.

🍿 The Elf: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Nick’s Troubled Past

The film centers on Nick, a young man haunted by severe night terrors. These terrifying episodes stem from a traumatic event he witnessed in his childhood – a brutal murder that left deep psychological scars. The nightmares are persistent, blurring the lines between his waking life and his past trauma.

Inheriting a Dark Secret

As Nick grapples with his ongoing torment, circumstances lead him to inherit an antique toy. This is no ordinary plaything, however, but a malevolent doll or figurine tied to the horrific events of his past. Its presence seems to amplify his fears and awaken something sinister.

The Malevolent Presence Emerges

The appearance of the cursed object coincides with escalating strange occurrences around Nick and those close to him. It becomes clear that the antique toy isn’t just a reminder of the past but an entity itself, connected to the murder he witnessed. A chilling, monstrous presence begins to make itself known.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Victoria (Natassia Halabi): Nick’s fiancée who gets caught in the elf’s supernatural killing spree and has a secret connection to the town’s history.
• The Elf (N/A): A cursed supernatural entity housed in a doll, driven to kill those on a naughty list during the holidays.
• John (Lassiter Holmes): Victoria’s father who holds reservations about Nick due to his traumatic past.
• Jeremiah (Joseph Daniel Ellis): Victoria’s brother who becomes an early victim after a confrontation with Nick.
• Sky (Amy Jo Guthrie): Victoria’s friend who arrives at the house at the film’s end with a surprising connection to the curse.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Nick: “I told you… I don’t want to celebrate Christmas.” – Nick repeats his aversion to the holiday to Victoria, hinting at the past trauma he experienced.
• Nick: “It says… you can remove one name from the list.” – Nick reads a warning associated with the cursed elf doll and the mysterious ‘Naughty’ list.
• John: “He killed his father… and stabbed his mother.” – John reveals to Victoria the dark details of Nick’s childhood trauma and mental history.
• Nick: “We can save one name… from the list.” – Nick theorizes about a potential way to survive the curse by removing a name from the doll’s list.
• Victoria: “It has to be you… or me.” – Victoria reveals she is also a former townsperson tied to the curse and intends to sacrifice Nick to save herself.

💰Box Office

• Budget: N/A
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 The Elf Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I went into ‘The Elf’ hoping for some cheesy, bad-but-fun Christmas horror, but wow, this really tested my limits. I found myself constantly questioning what was happening, why characters were doing what they were doing, and whether they were even in the same scene sometimes. The pacing was just so strange, with really long pauses and sudden cuts that felt jarring. There were moments that made me laugh, but I’m pretty sure they weren’t supposed to. The little elf doll moving around felt less creepy and more… awkward, like it was being pushed by a stick. And don’t even get me started on the weather and continuity issues – one minute it’s snowing, the next it’s not, then back again, all while people are dressed for different seasons. It honestly made me feel more confused than scared. Even the kills felt underwhelming when they finally happened after what felt like forever. I mean, string lights? Really? While I appreciate the attempt at a holiday horror flick, this one definitely landed squarely in the ‘so bad it’s just bad’ category for me. I wouldn’t recommend it unless you’re specifically seeking out baffling low-budget cinema.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of low-budget independent horror films”
  • “Viewers interested in creature features with unique monster concepts”
  • “Those looking for lesser-known horror titles”
  • “Audiences who enjoy supernatural curse stories”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence and Gore (typical of horror)”
  • “Jump Scares”
  • “Disturbing Images (related to the creature and trauma)”
  • “Psychological Trauma Themes”

Professional Reviews

• Invented: “Justin Price’s ‘The Elf’ is a Christmas horror film that struggles on nearly every technical and narrative front. The pacing is glacial, the dialogue often mumbled or awkwardly delivered, and the story feels like disparate ideas stitched together with little care for cohesion. While the concept of a killer elf has potential, the execution here leaves much to be desired, relying on poor effects and baffling character decisions. A disappointing watch.
• Invented: “‘The Elf’ is a prime example of low-budget horror gone awry. Its attempts at suspense are undermined by amateurish editing, particularly jarring sound mixing, and performances that range from wooden to bewildering. The titular elf, meant to be terrifying, often elicits unintended laughter. It’s a film that feels longer than its runtime due to padding and a lack of genuine scares, proving that a festive premise isn’t enough to save a flawed production.

Audience Reactions

Many viewers found unintentional humor in the movie’s technical flaws and baffling plot points.: There seems to be a broad consensus that the movie is poorly acted, badly edited, and confusingly written, making it a notorious example of low-budget horror.

Overall Consensus: Overwhelmingly negative, widely panned for its poor production quality, acting, script, and editing, though some viewers found unintended humor in its flaws.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “A significant continuity error occurs when Victoria’s jacket placement changes between shots during a scene.”
• “Another continuity error shows Nick getting into the same car his grandparents later use, suggesting limited vehicle props were available.”
• “Despite being set during the Christmas holidays, some outdoor scenes lack consistent snow coverage, even showing characters outside in lighter clothing or shoveling non-existent snow.”
• “The movie was followed by a sequel titled Elves, released in 2018.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Elf?

Finding ‘The Elf’ (2017) might require checking various digital platforms due to its niche nature. Look for rental or purchase options on services like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies & TV, YouTube Movies, and Vudu. Availability on subscription streaming services can change, so check platforms like Shudder, Tubi, or other horror-focused streamers, although it’s less likely to be on major services like Netflix or Hulu. Always verify current availability before planning your watch.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Elf, you might like these similar films:

• Child’s Play (1988): A classic and influential killer doll horror movie, serving as a benchmark for the subgenre that ‘The Elf’ attempts to fit into.
• Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984): A controversial Christmas slasher film known for its transgressive use of the holiday setting, offering a much more infamous example of Christmas-themed horror.
• Trilogy of Terror (1975): Features the iconic ‘Amelia’ segment with a terrifying Zuni fetish doll, appealing to fans of creepy, seemingly inanimate objects coming to life.
• The Mean One (2021): A more recent, low-budget Christmas horror movie that plays on holiday themes with a killer creature, showcasing another attempt at holiday-themed horror, albeit with more comedic/parody elements.
• Elves (2018): The direct sequel to ‘The Elf’, for viewers who want to see where the bizarre story continues.

🛒 The Elf Related Products

• The Elf (2016) Blu-ray / Digital: Own this infamous holiday horror film on Blu-ray or digital. Experience the baffling plot, questionable effects, and unintentional comedy whenever you dare. Perfect for ‘Bad Movie Night’ gatherings.
• Horror Movie Survival Guide: The Essential Handbook for Navigating the Terrors of Film: A comprehensive guide to surviving genre tropes, analyzing questionable decisions, and appreciating the highs and lows of horror cinema, including tips on how to cope with movies like ‘The Elf’.
• Creepy Doll Collectible Figure: A generic, unsettling doll collectible figure inspired by the ‘evil doll’ subgenre. Note: This doll is significantly more detailed and posable than the movie’s titular character.
• Personalized ‘Naughty List’ Journal: A custom journal where you can write down your own ‘naughty list’… hopefully without unleashing a pint-sized, awkwardly-animated killer. Features durable cover and plenty of pages for grievances.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “The Elf’s Theme” – performed by Score by Justin Price
• “Ominous Tubular Bells” – performed by Score by Justin Price

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Monster got an elf 🤣👻 #shorts

Ever wonder what kind of crazy situations an Elf on the Shelf can get into? This wildly popular short shows a funny encounter with a monster, and clearly, millions of people loved it!

The Wednesday Elf on the Shelf

You won’t believe what this Elf on the Shelf got up to! This short clip titled ‘The Wednesday Elf’ has gone viral with millions of views – definitely worth a quick look!

Creepy Elf on the shelf #christmas #scary #shorts

Think Elf on the Shelf is all holiday cheer? This ‘creepy’ short video flips the script! Millions have watched this one, so prepare yourself for a slightly spooky twist.

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