It’s Christmas time, and the festivities are in full swing at a girls’ sorority house. However, an unknown figure sneaks into the attic unnoticed. Not long after, the phone rings, and the girls receive a lewd call filled with disturbing sounds. Gathered around the phone, the girls listen intently—this isn’t the first time they’ve received such a call. The bold and intoxicated Barb takes control, berating the caller. In response, she receives a death threat before the call abruptly ends.
This movie fits perfectly into the stalker-slasher genre, sharing many similarities with films like Friday the 13th and Halloween. It revolves around young people being murdered one by one by an unknown assailant.
What sets this film apart is how well it maintains the killer’s anonymity. I found myself guessing until the very last second who the murderer could be—and I was genuinely surprised. Admittedly, it was frustrating at first, but looking back, it’s a brilliant choice. The killer is shown from a first-person perspective, which, considering the film was released in 1974, was highly original for its time. Director Bob Clark may have been inspired by Mario Bava’s work, but Black Christmas takes the slasher genre even further than Bava’s early contributions.
The acting in this film is exceptional, with several recognizable faces in the cast. My personal favorite is John Saxon. The music is atmospheric and adds to the tension, and Bob Clark’s cinematography is impressive.
While the film’s impact may be dulled today by the flood of slasher movies from the 1980s that borrowed heavily from it, Black Christmas remains a cult classic. It’s strange that the film isn’t more widely recognized, but it deserves credit for inspiring many of the great films that followed. This Canadian gem is undeniably charming.
Additionally, the film’s realism sets it apart from most other slasher films. Despite a slightly slow middle section, the ending is incredibly intense and brilliantly executed. Black Christmas is a must-watch for fans of the genre, offering a unique mix of suspense and innovation that still holds up decades later.
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