The Sacrifice Game
Written and Directed by Jenn Wexler
Starring Mena Massoud, Olivia Scott Welch, Chloë Levine, Gus Kenworthy
Unrated
Runtime 90 minutes
Streaming on Shudder December 8th

by Tori Potenza, Staff Writer

For most people, Christmas is a time full of string lights, tree trimming, and carols. But for your typical horror fan it also means something else, time to break out the holiday horror movies. Black Christmas, Silent Night, Deadly Night, Krampus, Anna and the Apocalypse, and Gremlins are just some of the many titles that put horror lovers in the holiday spirit. It may be a baffling tradition for some, but there is just something about holiday-themed horror movies that get us riled up. This year alone we have been blessed with two Christmas horror movies. It’s a Wonderful Knife made its way to Shudder last month, and this week brings The Sacrifice Game. Those who itch for holiday terrors will surely enjoy this violent throwback that leans on traditional horror tropes to subvert audience expectations.

Jenn Wexler, director of 2018’s The Ranger, returns with a satanic cult feature set in a girls school in 1971 over Christmas break. Unlike their fellow classmates, Samantha (Madison Baines) and Clara (Georgia Acken), are forced to stay behind for their holiday break since they have nowhere else to go. Their teacher Rose (Chloë Levine) and her boyfriend Jimmy (Gus Kenworthy) stay behind to watch over them. While the group tries to make the best out of a bad situation, they are visited by a group of cultists who plan to bring terror and mayhem during their festivities. While the cultists plan a night full of bloodshed and sacrifice, their victims do what they can to survive.

Given the sheer amount of horror out there, it is not uncommon to see many common themes and tropes pop out throughout various pieces of media. It means that some of the more seasoned horror fans can often see where things are going even early into a film. Even when we’ve seen the same plot played out over and over, many of us still love the ride it takes us on. But it does make it even more impressive when a film is able to lean on some traditional horror tropes and give you something that feels unique and fresh to the genre. This is one of the best aspects of The Sacrifice Game. It combines satanic cults, possession, slashers, and even home invasion/siege movies to come up with something new. Oddly, its plot, centered around a teacher being alone with students at school over Christmas break, is the plot of a very different holiday film this year, The Holdovers. But with the right creative team these common threads can add up to something very different.

Because of the twists and turns that The Sacrifice Game takes, it is good to go in not knowing much more than its baseline plot. There are plenty of great kills and horror moments that fans are sure to revel in, including a few great dinner table scenes. The movie has a great energy to it that is as fun as it is mean spirited at times. It’s retro aesthetic and vibes add to the fun, and even work to play up the holiday aspects of the story. There is also a real heart to the film, and theme. The various women of the film are all trying to find their autonomy, in various ways, while living in a world dominated by men. They are often seen as less than, or their lives and decisions are all ruled by the men in their lives. Even with all the fun and gore of the film, it does a solid job of highlighting the suffocating feelings these women have and their need for freedom.

With movies like this it is important to have a cast of characters you want to spend time with. All of the performances are perfect for what they are working to accomplish. Mena Massoud’s performance as the charismatic cult leader Jude is a blast to watch. His chaotic energy is an ode to Skeet Ulrich in Scream and it works perfectly. Georgia Acken gives a powerful performance as Clara. The 16 year-old actress brings star power energy to the movie and it is incredible to watch how she holds her own amongst her older co-stars. Chloë Levine, Olivia Scott Welch, and Madison Baines also dominate the screen with their very different performances. Traditionally horror films like this can have a hard time fleshing out their characters and giving them the details needed to care about their struggles. Yet it is hard not to warm to the entire cast and enjoy what they each bring to the story.

If you are looking for a new holiday horror movie to add to your roster this is a perfect new release to check out. It is clear that the cast has a blast with the material and it has the jolly madness one looks for in good Christmas horror. It also doesn’t skimp on the bloody practical effects that we thrill seekers enjoy so much. If you want to add a little terror to your merry happenings, add this to your watchlist.