David Pierdomenico
Christmas Presence (originally titled Why Hide?) is a unique type of horror film. It’s an especially impressive feat, given its very minimal budget (less than $1 million). It’s fun, lighthearted, a bit intentionally cheesy, but also creepy when it needs to be. So let’s spread some holiday cheer and take a look at the new Shudder original film, Christmas Presence!
The film begins with a group of friends getting together for a trip in the British countryside to celebrate Christmas. It may seem strange at first that they’re choosing to spend the holiday with each other, but it seems clear that each of them is a bit of a misfit, finding camaraderie with one another. Once they arrive, holiday hijinks ensue. On the surface it comes off as campy, but given over the top nature, and horror that sets in later, one must wonder if the film is intentionally trolling the kind of overly sentimental films from Hallmark or Netflix originals. It’s as it this film was trying to mock those and throw a paranormal wrench into the gears.
The cast of characters are all pretty unique and diverse. We have a reserved stoic with more going on that she lets on, a the medium who’s in touch with all things spiritual, a blogger obsessed with glamor, her loud and obnoxious girlfriend, and their gay friend who designs lingerie. He feels less like a token character, and more like a real human being which helps add to the story. These characters are compelling because they feel like people we could actually know. Even though we never learn too much about their backstories, it feels like they come into this with a lot of previous baggage.
After a night of drinking and partying, strange occurrences start to transpire. A traumatic event from one character’s past springs up and fuels the supernatural horror. One thing the film does well is creating a sense of paranoia. At one point, we the audience aren’t sure if the characters are hiding something, losing their minds, suffering from a supernatural ailment, or all three simultaneously. And while the film’s budget limited its filming location to the one house, it helps to create the sense of isolation. Couple this with some interesting visuals and beautiful cinematography, and the film pulls off a genuinely creepy atmosphere.
Overall, it’s a fun watch for the Christmas season for anyone who would rather watch something horrific rather than cheerful!
