Silent Night
Review: This 2021 black comedy Christmas film with an apocalyptic twist is a great one to break up the monotony that can sometimes come from Christmas films. Focused on a group of friends at their annual Christmas dinner party, we soon learn that this party has higher stakes because the world is on the verge of destruction via poisonous gas, so this will be their last night alive. Tensions rise & the group has to decide whether or not taking a government issued kill pill is the right thing to do to end their night. Starring Keira Knightley & Matthew Goode play Nell & Simon, the party hosts, with Annabelle Wallis, Rufus Jones, Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù, Lily-Rose Depp, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, & Lucy Punch playing the other three couples at the dinner. The film is directed by Camille Griffin and her three sons, Roman, Hardy, & Gilby Griffin Davis all appear as Nell & Simon’s children. David McKenzie also appears as the boys’ cousin. I honestly think that the young Roman Griffin Davis gives the standout performance of the film, though the dynamics between all the adult actors was incredibly interesting, and it actually was quite funny. If you want a movie that’s going to make you feel joyful as it ends, maybe skip this one because it does not wrap up the story with a nice little bow, but the ending fits the film well.
High: A+ for an original idea that is very dissimilar to any other movie I’ve seen, especially other Christmas movies. If you’ve seen the 2022 film ‘The Menu,’ I think the film has a very similar vibe to that movie. It’s a really interesting watch that I’d highly recommend if you’re looking for something a little different and you can stream it free on Tubi or Pluto TV.
Low: Honestly, I’m having a hard time thinking of one. At first I was thinking the ambiguity of the ending, but I actually think it fits. I guess I’d say the movie could’ve benefitted from another 10-15 minutes to let us spend even more time with the characters, but honestly the 92 minute runtime was pretty sufficient.
Rating: 8.5/10
