A Very Shudder Holiday: ‘Better Watch Out’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the motion picture, 'Better Watch Out'.
​
Thus far, our journey through some of the finest holiday themed horror exclusives/originals that Shudder has to offer, has yielded an interesting surprise. In that, the films that populate this sub-genre… work hard to not offend their viewer or cross too many lines. Which makes sense to say the least, since the holiday season is indeed a sacred time of year for so many. So, offering up a holiday horror flick that pulls out of all of the stops and dives into some twisted premises seems sacrilegious and inappropriate for certain, and that’s why they straight up stick to more philosophical themes or home invasion storylines when telling their stories, so they never once cross that invisible line. In fact, that latter element is one of note, simply because it has become a sub-genre staple. Since it offers up an entertaining horror story that keeps the sanctity of the holiday intact.
​
After all, the person or persons that break into a home to wreak havoc under the mistletoe aren’t indicative of anything sour in regard to mankind, they’re just horrible people/monsters that opted to turn their back on what matters. and they just so happened to make their move at Christmastime. But while that is definitely a safe and smooth route to go filmmaking wise to create an entertaining holiday horror film, that formula is not without its drawbacks. Because it unfortunately doesn’t challenge the audience in the slightest, nor does it break any new ground in the genre because it is about as cliché as it comes. Which is a bit of a shame since this genre is known for going against the grain and challenging its audience. But once in a great while, a holiday horror film comes along that is eager to defy convention and offer up something bold and dynamic and downright terrifying and it just so happens that Shudder is host to a film that meets that particular criteria in Better Watch Out.

Now in this particular film we are introduced to a young woman named Ashley who is on her way to a babysitting gig, one that should prove to be quite boring and uneventful. For she is going to babysit Luke Lerner, a twelve-year-old boy that she's watched over for years and knows quite well. But it doesn’t take long for poor Ashley to realize that her seemingly routine night is going to be anything but. For someone is lurking outside of the Lerner household, and they seem quite eager to cause harm to both Luke and Ashley for reasons unknown. But once Ashley is able to discover exactly who is terrorizing the household and why… this nightmare evening is going to take a far more frightening turn, simply because the culprit of this heinous act is someone that she thought she could trust and the betrayal that this person has brought upon her, will shatter their relationship.

---

So, it really is best to declare this particular horror feature as downright brilliant for several reasons. One of which relates to the fact… that this movie lulls you into a false sense of security. Because early on this one really does feel like a traditional holiday, home invasion movie. For it is filled to the brim with innocent and pure characters like Luke and Ashley, and it truly seems as though the randomness and cruelty of the world has found them, and they will have to fight like never before to survive the night. But the grand reveal that Luke is the one behind this entire mess, changes the dynamic of this film completely. Largely because it is indeed screwed up that a twelve-year-old is willing to put people in danger over notions of love, but also because we quickly come to learn that Luke is not all what he appears to be.
​
In fact, he is nothing more than a wannabe Ted Bundy in a Christmas sweater, and the lengths that he is willing to go in order to gain control over what quickly becomes a hopeless situation, and to maintain his standing as the good-est boy, adds a real sense of danger to this story. Plus, you're left stunned since you simply cannot believe the fact that this pre-teen is an outright psychopathic monster and that shocking twist immediately draws you into this quality story and never lets go. Simply because you have to know as to whether or not Luke’s special brand of evil can be defeated in the slightest and also to see what other surprises this film has in store for you, and it doesn’t disappoint in that particular arena either. Because it also offers up some unexpectedly savage and twisted kills, the kind that make you squirm for certain.

But while that makes it sound as though this particular tale is a non-stop nightmare from beginning to end, that simply isn't the case. Because this is a story that also knows how to have a little fun by way some delightfully dark humor, the kind that definitely helps to relieve the tension. And of course, a story this intimate doesn't work in the slightest without quality acting and you'll find that here too. Because Olivia DeJonge and Levi Miller are simply electric as Ashley and Luke, respectively, and they sell every single moment in this story. But what truly makes this movie so incredibly special, is that it really is quite original and refreshing for certain. Thanks to the fact that it takes a tried and true trope, one that was starting to look a little worse for the wear, and flips it upside down in the most dynamic manner imaginable. 

'Better Watch Out' is streaming now, exclusively on Shudder.

---