Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘It’s a Wonderful Knife’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Jess McLeod and Jane Widdop as Bernie Simon and Winnie Carruthers in Tyler MacIntyre’s IT’S A WONDERFUL KNIFE. (Photo Courtesy of RLJE Films and Shudder. An RLJE and Shudder Release.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the motion picture, ‘It’s a Wonderful Knife’.

It is definitely safe to say, that we lament the dark moments in our lives, and understandably so. Because those dark days, put us through complete and utter hell. To the point where we are often depressed and frustrated with the direction of our lives in that moment. Because we feel awful, and it seems the dark days will never end. In fact, we hate them so much… that when we get away from them at last… we actually go to great lengths to avoid them in the future. Simply because we cannot stand how they made us feel and what they exposed us to about life, and potentially ourselves and well… while there is merit to despising dark days and unpleasant nights, we should in fact, embrace them.

Which may seem out of this world to say, but that is a fact. Because the dark days we experience, aren’t just punishment from the universe or something to be avoided. They are… lessons in waiting. The kind that we should learn from when we’ve come out of the worst of it and have time to reflect upon it all. Because that’s what hardships are about, growth, and understanding, so we can handle things differently when the darkness comes again. But that isn’t easy for everyone to recognize, and that’s where storytelling comes into play. Because stories can break it down for us in a fun and dynamic, and digestible manner and it just so happens, that Shudder is now home to a film that offers up that lesson… in the most unique way imaginable. For It’s a Wonderful Knife, is not only an educational feature, but a splattery-slasher homage to It’s a Wonderful Life.

A feat that this story accomplishes by introducing us to a young woman named Winnie Carruthers who is eager to leave home. Because Angel Falls is a pit to live in, thanks to the town’s resident egotist and narcissist, the veneer-loving Henry Waters. Who is eager to turn Angel Falls into a resort town and will stop at nothing to make that happen. In fact, he will straight up kill to get what he wants, and he does… by slaughtering a bevy of good people one fine Christmas Eve and is thankfully stopped and exposed by Winnie. But while that should give her a happy ending, a year after Henry’s rampage, she is beside herself. For her bestie is gone forever, her life feels hollow, and she’s stuck in this town thanks to a college rejection letter.  Prompting her to wish upon an Aurora Borealis to have never been born to avoid such hardships, which is a wish… that is granted. For she finds herself in an alternate Angel Falls where she never existed and where Waters… has turned murder into a hobby and now if she ever wants to enjoy peace again… she will have to handle the bloodthirsty urges of this big-tooth buffoon or forever be trapped in this nightmare of a city.

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Which at first glance, seems to lean way heavier into homage and horror over lessons and there’s merit to that. After all, that plot really is a horror re-imagining of the holiday classic, and it does indeed feature a similar path of discovery for Winnie, and a guardian, via a friend turned crush in Bernie, a town outcast that she has more in common with than she knows. Plus, with Waters being all about that murdering lifestyle, the gore doth flow in this particular feature. In fact, the kills from the ‘Angel of Death’ in this story are simply sublime and hauntingly stunning. Thanks to the fact that the Angel wears all white and often finds itself covered in red as its bloody and inventive rampage continues along. But in between the carnage and the chuckle worthy Jimmy Stewart tributes, is a smart and meaningful plot.
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Because Winnie’s wish, is the personification of our hate of dark days. Because that’s what we want at our lowest, a chance to not be who we are and to not have to deal with the pain that the universe sent our way. But being in a darker version of her own world and being able to see the bigger picture and the power of her pain… gives her perspective. Specifically regarding how dark days… and suffering and strife… make us stronger, make us a better person and how our ability to endure them can help inspire others to fight through their own. Which makes for a supremely cerebral plot, one that is oddly uplifting and hopeful and well, all of these elements come together to provide us with an outright magnificent holiday horror film. 

Simply because, this one has it all for fans. It has gore galore and solid scares, since you don’t see the Angel’s attacks coming in any universe. Plus, it’s full of smart concepts, good messaging, and the right balance of humor to never make the film overwhelming. Plus, it features some pop culture royalty. Since horror legend Katherine Isabelle steals every scene, she’s in here, and Joel McHale is a true delight as both the loving and tortured David Carruthers and Justin Long is simply the perfect villain, and he plays Henry Waters with a twisted zest and zeal that makes him perfect for the role. If anything, this is just must-see holiday horror. Because it really is that rare holiday horror film that blends together so much, perfectly, and hopefully… this one becomes a true classic for the season. One that everyone pops on when the snow begins to fall.

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Watch ‘It’s a Wonderful Knife’