What will people do to remain in power? It’s the start of Christmas holiday on Hathorne College, and a group of sorority sisters have decided to remain on campus for the break. The girls who have been campaigning against a professor and sexism take part in a talent show amongst the sororities and fraternities. During which, they embarrass and accuse a fraternity of sexual assault. Meanwhile, a masked and cloaked man has been attacking and murdering lone girls still at the college. Fortunately, our girls stick together, but they are suspicious that the disappearances are more nefarious. No one will believe them, and no one seems to want to help. The girls are forced to take matters into their own hands and help themselves. Are they sure about what they are up against? Is it a lone attacker, the fraternity they embarrassed, or something more supernatural?
Black Christmas is not your average Christmas movie and could be more accurately described as a slasher film. Despite the norm of the genre, Black Christmas attempts to tackle some very serious topics including: toxic masculinity, sexism, consent, rape, and women not being taken seriously. These serious issues are juxtaposed with sometimes more comical elements of the genre. But ultimately, the question the film seems to ask is: what are people willing to do to maintain their power?
This sorority led slasher film is clearly attempting to be provocative but feels more like a politically and emotionally charged battle pertaining to sensitive topics. The important topics the film attempts to shed light on, and need to be discussed, are diminished. Although these topics are culturally relevant, this film took its portrayals to an extreme which may not help its argument. Despite the extreme portrayal of sexism, the film does contain realistic scenes where consent is being pushed, and it tries to bring up the morality of the topic, but while it raises concerns on the topic, it does little to defend or even give advice on dealing with issues of this magnitude.
The women in this film are portrayed as positive, self-sufficient role models and there are many instances where people go out of their way to help and protect their friends. On the downside, there are several instances of crude language, and violence is pervasive, making this film Not Dove-approved.
The Dove Take:
Black Christmas is a sorority slasher film that thriller fans would like, but language and heavy violence aren’t suitable for most audiences.
