Review of Black Christmas (2019) by Metakritter — 13 Dec 2019

An unnecessary reimagining that indulges in third-wave feminist claptrap as its driving theme, as if to elevate the slasher format and make it more intellectual. It's anything but, and the filmmakers would have impressed more if they'd refrained from self-indulgently making Camile Paglia a villain and demonstrated basic competency in executing the slasher formula.

That might have made this movie intelligent. Slashers looks easy, but as this failure demonstrates, the good ones are well crafted with set-ups and payoffs. This film doesn't reward our attention. We're treated to extended tedium and meandering in a muddled first act that worsens until the final reveal, which is like something out of a cartoony television movie about black magic.

It's a shame because the lead actress is charismatic and talented and would have done wonders with a good script. Skip this one as the product of children and, instead, see what adults can make of the slasher formula, namely, the Bob Clark original, which is infinitely superior to this drivel.