I have a confession to make, and its one I have been deeply ashamed of until this day.
I, a Canadian and lifelong horror fan, have never seenBlack Christmas.
I know; it seems unbelievable, a little ridiculous even.
Image Via Warner Bros.
This is especially so sinceBlack Christmasis well-known for being one of the earliest slasher films, anddirectly influencedJohn CarpentersHalloween.
Still, it had always managed to glide under the radar for me.
Its quite procedural for the majority of its runtime, as the police refuse to take the disappearance seriously.
Image via Warner Bros. Pictures
Instead,Black Christmasmakes Jess its hero.
Even in a time when out-of-wedlock pregnancy and abortion were considered taboo topics.
Its not an angle we see in movies of that time.
Image via Warner Bros. Pictures
Nowadays, sure, but in 1974?
It was unheard of.
For a movie made in 1974,its surprisingly (and sadly) relevant 50 years later.
Primarily the character of Barb (Margot Kidder), who is brash, promiscuous, and unfiltered.
However, Barb is also given the most brutal and sexualized death due to the implications of it.
Its just a bit too much, even if her character did have some questionable moments.
Even the movies pacing clearly influenced later horror works.
These elements make it all the more impressive thatit became such a pioneer in the horror genre.
Theres a stark difference between horror movies made today and those made in the 1970s.
Still,Black Christmasstands the test of time.
Its a simplistically chilling moment that still terrifies after half a century.
It may have taken me a while to get there but Im glad I watchedBlack Christmaswhen I did.
Black Christmasis available to watch on Prime Video.
Cast
Watch on Amazon Prime
