Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘The Sacrifice Game’

12/11/2023

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Georgia Acken, Madison Baines, and Chloë Levine as Clara, Samantha, and Rose in Jenn Wexler’s THE SACRIFICE GAME. (Courtesy of Shudder. A Shudder Release.)

One particular aspect of horror themed holiday films that is downright fascinating, is how so many of them make sure to offer up some kind of genuinely happy ending, despite the subject matter. As though, and rightfully so… there is a sacred nature to the Holiday season. One that not even horror will violate. Which is why we see the monster be defeated or the story surprises us with an ending that is oddly fulfilling and joyous in its own right. So that the genre simply toys with the darkness but never lets the story become overwhelming with darkness or downtrodden regarding the season… but such moves… does pique one’s curiosity.

In that, is it possible then… to really let loose and take a holiday horror story to the darkest possible places? Because to do so would violate the unspoken code that joy should come to the world regardless of what kinds of monsters or evil is presented during the season. Well as time marches on, and horror grows in popularity, there are now creatives curious about exploring what true, raw horror during the holidays might look like, and if that kind of story is genuinely feasible and won’t offend and well, believe it or not, it is possible. In fact, all it really takes, is assembling a story the right story. One that presents the season and the scares in the right manner, and it just so happens that a brand-new holiday horror feature on Shudder proves how this can be done.

A feat that The Sacrifice Game accomplishes by taking us back in time to the 1970s, a few days before Christmas no less. Wherein people are reeling from a true terror. In that, a group of roving strangers are going house to house and murdering people seemingly at random. A reality that leaves everyone in the local girls' boarding academy nervous for a time, until so many of them leave for winter break. But that worry does hang heavy over the handful left, and rightfully so. For on Christmas Eve, those same killers come calling. For their spiritual leader firmly believes that on this night, one last sacrifice will give the group powers and freedoms untold. For they have been killing in the hopes of unleashing a powerful demon that will do their bidding. Provided of course… they didn’t mess up the instructions to bring this evil to light.

Which is… the perfect way to showcase how a holiday horror film can in fact, please an audience and go hard at the same time. Because this is a story that makes the horror and the ugliness of the actions of the villains, essential to the story and essential to the holiday season. Which means the mythos is carefully woven into Christmas, giving rise to a fascinating threat that leaves the viewer curious and engaged. Specifically, the rules behind the evil in question, and why it has to be summoned during a time of year designed to bring joy, and all of that works seamlessly here and once all of that is established, we’re comfortable with the setup and need to see how it ends and that’s when the story takes us upon one hell of a ride.

Because this story, really holds nothing back when it comes to what the evil is capable of. Which leads to a shockingly bleak holiday horror story. Where evil grows in power in some surprising ways and well… that brings forth some amazing scares. Some that are psychological in nature, some that are outright cruel in nature. In fact, there are several scenes here that match the intensity of the dinner scene from The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, and there are simply so many more that leave us uncomfortable and hopeless. All of which is brought home in the most powerful manner possible, courtesy of an ending that defies holiday horror convention and leaves one in need of a moment to collect their thoughts and bearings.

All because, co-writers Sean Redlitz and Jenn Wexler (who also served as director) really wanted to see if someone could take holiday horror into the hardcore horror realm and they most certainly succeed in their mission here. For they have brought to life a game-changing story that informs us, the genre can indeed truly scare and unsettle with the season as its backdrop and there is a good chance, this movie will serve as a blueprint to bring us more hardcore holiday horror. So, we can see the genre move to new heights. But for now, we can celebrate a masterful film. One that is filled to the brim with splatter, terror, and a yuletide darkness that simply takes your breath away, courtesy of a stunning and refreshingly original story.

Watch ‘The Sacrifice Game’

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