Over the years, countless holiday-themed slasher films (mainly set on Halloween) have came and went. But it has been a while since I've seen holiday horror with as much of a rewatchable quality and such creative and fun deaths as Slasher Studios' Dismembering Christmas.
Don't Go to the Reunion writer/producer Kevin Sommerfield teamed up with Survival of the Dumbest director Austin Bosley to create this lovely winter slasher. From start to finish, it's oozing with Christmas cheer but slowly the feeling that something's not quite right creeps in and the characters are blithely unaware of it. Each character has their own distinct personality and are so well played by the actors that you truly care for them when bad things start happening. The cabin setting feels like a perfect blend of the Paramount Friday the 13th films and Raimi's The Evil Dead and the beautiful Christmas decorations and lighting bring it all together. Dismembering Christmas feels like the winter Friday the 13th film fans have wanted for years and have finally received.
For an independent low-budget slasher, the acting, writing, and cinematography are all top notch (complete with beautiful, long tracking shots that will please any cinephile) and each and every character feels like a real small town teenager. Each and every one feels like they could be your neighbor and someone you know and that makes you concerned when they start getting picked off one by one.
Without many spoilers, I have to point out that the deaths are some of the most creative and fun ones I've seen in a very long time. Think wreaths, candy canes, and Christmas trees can't kill anyone? Think again. Each and every death oozes with holiday spirit and the killer's costume is near perfection. To top it all off, a wonderful soundtrack composed by Beasta Music's Dylan Curzon (who also worked as the gaffer on the film) is made use of in the most creative of ways and coupled with some fantastic foley work.
If there's one problem with this movie, it's that it's only a little over an hour in length. This movie could be three hours long with these characters and deaths like these and I'd be hooked. There isn't a single dull moment in the film and all the characters feel like real friends who bicker but deep down truly love and care for one another.
I don't like singling out certain actors (because each and every one brings something unique to the film), but I have to say that Nina Kova's Sam and Leah Wiseman's Emma are two of the best of the best. They almost feel like sisters and it's hard to believe that they haven't known each other their entire lives outside of the movie. They both have so much chemistry together that it makes the hour and seven minute runtime a breeze to watch.
If you're in the mood for a fast-paced, gory, creative slasher film with tons of holiday atmosphere and great cinematography, look no further. Slasher Studios has outdone themselves with this latest feature and I can't wait to see what they accomplish in the future.
