Black Christmas

R

Released Dec 20, 1974

1 hr. 38 min.

Holiday

Horror

List

68%

38 Reviews

Tomatometer

76%

10,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

As winter break begins, a group of sorority sisters, including Jess (Olivia Hussey) and the often inebriated Barb (Margot Kidder), begin to receive anonymous, lascivious phone calls. Initially, Barb eggs the caller on, but stops when he responds threateningly. Soon, Barb's friend Clare (Lynne Griffin) goes missing from the sorority house, and a local adolescent girl is murdered, leading the girls to suspect a serial killer is on the loose. But no one realizes just how near the culprit is.

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Critics Consensus

The rare slasher with enough intelligence to wind up the tension between bloody outbursts, Black Christmas offers fiendishly enjoyable holiday viewing for genre fans.

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Jeff M

It's amazing how a horror film nearly 50 years old can produce more genuine tension and suspense than virtually anything made for today's cinemagoer. Filmmakers such as John Carpenter and Quentin Tarantino have praised it publicly, and after seeing it, I can understand the acknowledgements. One can clearly see how this influenced future movies such as HALLOWEEN and WHEN A STRANGER CALLS. I'm not generally a horror movie fan, but this is the way I like them - low on blood and gore, high on intrigue and psychological drama. There are a couple familiar faces among the cast, my favorite being a pre-Lois Lane Kidder who excelled at the type of character she portrays here. The beautiful Hussey is also a quietly strong protagonist and an engaging screen presence. The moments of levity feel organic rather than forced and are a welcome respite to the heavier scenes. I normally love an ambiguous ending, but I do wish there had been more clarity here. Other than that, there's not much to fault. It tickles me to no end that director Bob Clark would go on to make A CHRISTMAS STORY - possibly the two most opposite holiday themed films in cinema history.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/18/24

Full Review

Dylan W

An extremely creepy and unnerving film. With excellent performances especially Margot Kidder and Olivia Hussey. The best slasher film hands down

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/27/23

Full Review

AuroraBoobie A

Disturbing & uncomfortably creepy. I loved it!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/16/23

Full Review

Jay H

My favorite Xmas movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/10/23

Full Review

Ian

yeah, i've never seen this. i understand the hype now. this movie gave me a feeling of dread throughout the whole entire thing. just really really eerie, mainly because the killer is so fucking creepy. that kill, that's on the poster of the movie, is so creepy with that shot of her in the chair with the bag on her head. the environment is creepy as well, i mean everything in this gives you a creepy feeling it's awesome. the other poster too with that shot of Billy my god. i really liked the detective elements in this a lot, with a fantastic performance from John Saxon. and don't get me started on Olivia Hussey, she was beyond phenomenal. Billy may be one of the scariest killers in any horror movie ever, im so serious about that. this movie has one of the best final acts i have ever seen in any movie ever, the amount of fear and anxiety that it gives you just… god man i am confidently gonna say that this movie is perfect. i don't have a single problem with it at all. i'm at a loss for words.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/07/23

Full Review

Serge L

I punched out at the 25 minute mark. Slow, plodding and just not good. I will give it props for historical purposes of being one of the first slasher horror films along with Texas Chainsaw and the introduction of a final girl... but nah, not for me.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

12/05/23

Full Review

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Bob Clark

Director

Olivia Hussey

Jessica Bradford

Margot Kidder

Barbie Coard

Keir Dullea

Peter Smythe

John Saxon

Lt. Ken Fuller

Marian Waldman

Mrs. Mac

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Anton Bitel

Little White Lies

Made at a time when there were as yet no fixed rules for the slasher subgenre, here anything goes, and the survival of neither virgin nor even final girl comes guaranteed.

Nov 13, 2017

Full Review

Variety Staff

Variety

Only Marian Waldman as the house-mother comes across with any life.

Dec 27, 2006

Full Review

Time Out

The film still manages a good slice of old-fashioned suspense.

Jun 24, 2006

Full Review

Justin Brown

Medium Popcorn

I found all of the characters incredibly unlikeable and the writing left a lot to be desired. I also wish there was more gore.

Rated: 1/5

Jan 2, 2024

Full Review

Brandon Collins

Medium Popcorn

I did not enjoy this despite its influence of some of my favorite horror film franchises. The character choices and performances were so out of pocket.

Rated: 1/5

Jan 2, 2024

Full Review

Zofia Wijaszka

Nerdspin

Although it’s been 49 years since Jess (Olivia Hussey), Barb (Margot Kidder), and the rest of the dorm confronted the offensive murderer, the film remains ageless as its themes of body autonomy and female empowerment are more important than ever.

Rated: A

Dec 12, 2023

Full Review

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Synopsis

As winter break begins, a group of sorority sisters, including Jess (Olivia Hussey) and the often inebriated Barb (Margot Kidder), begin to receive anonymous, lascivious phone calls. Initially, Barb eggs the caller on, but stops when he responds threateningly. Soon, Barb's friend Clare (Lynne Griffin) goes missing from the sorority house, and a local adolescent girl is murdered, leading the girls to suspect a serial killer is on the loose. But no one realizes just how near the culprit is.

Director: Bob Clark
Executive Producer: Findlay Quinn
Screenwriter: Roy Moore
Distributor: Eclectic DVD Distribution, Warner Home Vídeo, Warner Bros.
Production Co: Film Funding Ltd. of Canada, August Films, Famous Players, Canadian Film Development Corporation (CFDC), Vision IV
Rating: R
Genre: Holiday, Horror
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 20, 1974, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 13, 2016
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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