‘CARNAGE FOR CHRISTMAS’ (Fantasia 2024) A murder podcaster’s unresolved trauma turns holiday horror in Alice Maio Mackay latest

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CARNAGE FOR CHRISTMAS

CARNAGE FOR CHRISTMAS POSTER

Alice Maio Mackay‘s fifth film makes its Montreal premiere at Fantasia 2024. CARNAGE FOR CHRISTMAS finds a murder podcast host answering a listener’s question, “How did you get into true crime?” Lola recounts a childhood hometown legend, then returns to said location for the Christmas holidays.

When the town’s queer population starts getting murdered, and with a sudden uptick in sightings of The Toy Maker, Lola digs into her expertise and goes over the heads of the local cops to try to find the killer.

CARNAGE_FOR_CHRISTMAS_STILLS_1_148_1Graphic novel animation serves as visually delightful childhood memories surrounding Lola’s backstory with the villain. The poster is undoubtedly an homage to Black Christmas, and the classic trope of a killer in a Santa suit plays, ala Silent Night Deadly Night, still rules.

The practical FX team nails it, aided by the slick editing. Speaking of, the editing and featured neon lighting feel like a calling card for Mackay and editor Vera Drew, Aka “The People’s Joker.” (A must-see feast for the eyes) If you’ve seen Mackay’s 2023 film T BLOCKERS, you’ll understand she’s building a brand here.

CARNAGE_FOR_CHRISTMAS_STILLS_1_327_1Jeremy Moineau gives Lola an effortlessly badass persona but beautifully balances toughness with authentic vulnerability. Her monologue about the town’s history is perfection.

Alice Maio Mackay provides a creative space for trans artists to thrive. CARNAGE FOR CHRISTMAS has a solid mystery and great performances. It is another sweet notch in Mackay’s stylistic belt.

CARNAGE_FOR_CHRISTMAS_STILLS_1.8

AUSTRALIA 2024 70 MINS OV ENGLISH

GENRE DramaHorrorLGBTQIA2S+


DIRECTOR

Alice Maio Mackay

PRODUCER

Alice Maio Mackay

WRITER

Alice Maio Mackay, Ben Pahl Robinson

CAST

Zairf ., Dominique Booth, Olivia Deeble, Jeremy Moineau, Tumelo Nthupi

COMPOSER

Alexander Taylor

EDITOR

Vera Drew


Remaining Screenings of Carnage For Christmas:

Wed July 24, 2024
5:00 PM

Fantasia 2024 posterFor all things Fantasia 2024, click here!

About Liz Whittemore

Liz grew up in northern Connecticut and was memorizing movie dialogue from Shirley Temple to A Nightmare on Elm Street at a very early age. She will watch just about any film all the way through (no matter how bad) just to prove a point. A loyal New Englander, a lover of Hollywood, and true inhabitant of The Big Apple.

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