Andrew E reviews Secret Santa

After an unknown assailant spikes the punch of a pharmaceutical family Christmas with a military grade version of sodium pentothal during Secret Santa, members of the family must survive the night from the victims of the untested drug.

Director: Adam Marcus

Writers: Adam Marcus, Debra Sullivan

Stars: Michael Rady, Drew Lynch, Debra Sullivan.

Secret Santa is an offering of festive fear from the mind of Adam Marcus. The movie starts with a beautiful slow-motion fight sequence all in the background with a beautiful festive snow globe in the foreground of the shot. The movie rewinds itself by 4 hours and introduces you to one of the most dysfunctional families you will have seen on screen in recent years.

April (A Leslie Kies) is originally portrayed as the leading lady bringing her boyfriend Ty (Michael Rady) to spend Christmas with her family. We are introduced to each member of the family and here are summaries of but a few: the wild sex rock and roll brother and stripper girlfriend, depressive Christmas jumper wearing sister and the stuttering brother who is struggling to tell his family he is gay. They all individually arrive at their mother’s family home and from the beginning, it is clear Mother is “unique” and doesn’t really have many kind words to say at all.

Then all you have to do is introduce a kitchen staff of 3, an unknown presence creeping around the house and you’re in for good night, especially when the family starts drinking the punch! As time ticks on and the children’s (I say children they are all adults) father arrives and insists on staying for dinner things take a dark turn.

I don’t want to give too much away, this movie goes from normal to abusive to darn right crazy in but minutes. We have all endured festive arguments may be the odd fight (especially after a few drinks) but nothing that would bring us to this level of insanity. Secret Santa starts as an innocent family tradition. Each year one member of the family decides who is buying what and for whom, and the family then open their gifts and the person who figures out who brought what and for who becomes the champion and will be the game leader the following year. With each present that is opened insults come flying aplenty. And instead of using the expletive f**K you, FORK you springs to my memory.

I won’t touch on too much more of the plot as this movie has to be seen to be believed. It is a well shot, well-acted Christmas tale. And if you like your horror set at this snowy time of year, this movie is for you.

Stand Out Performers:

I commend the actors in this movie who all delivered brilliantly. Shari (mother) played by actress Debra Sullivan was a real delight to watch, her character was horrendous (in a good way) – as in this is no mother you would be proud of, but I delighted in almost being afraid of her next comment and she delivered each line with a zing! So Christmas hats off to Debra for a great performance. Drew Lynch plays the character of Kyle and I loved his role, I was rooting for him to tell his mother what he thought of her and he played his character with compassion and as an audience member, I felt full empathy for him! That said, all the actors are really entertaining and most have great chemistry! Especially when the game starts! This movie was exactly what I needed this Christmas – funny, shocking and full of festive ~~cheer~~ misery. There is plenty of blood, guts and a severed head that will haunt you.

Absolutely not a movie to share with grandma on Christmas day or anyone in the family, unless they love gruesome horror before their turkey dinner! Treat yourself this Christmas but I for one will not be starting this Christmas tradition of Secret Santa.

The 12 Joys of Secret Santa: