Black Christmas

Though infused with a whole host of dated elements, Black Christmas remains a sporadically effective slasher that’s buoyed by the use of several genre-specific devices that are still in use today (eg an opening point-of-view shot that undoubtedly inspired John Carpenter’s Halloween). Set over several days during the Christmas season, the film follows an unknown assailant as he makes his way into a sorority house and begins terrorizing the residents (including Olivia Hussey’s Jessica, Margot Kidder’s Barbie, and Andrea Martin’s Phyllis). Black Christmas‘ dearth of plot lends the proceedings a distinctly uneven sort of vibe, and while the film does possess a number of genuinely suspenseful moments (eg “the calls are coming from inside the house!”), one can’t help but lament the inclusion of several needless subplots (eg a goofy cop that’s the brunt of his co-workers’ scorn). Hussey’s exceedingly broad performance probably doesn’t help matters, although, to be fair, she is trapped within the confines of a stereotypically idiotic character who makes all the wrong decisions (ie why is she going up the stairs?)

**1/2 out of ****