Deadly Little Christmas (2009)

Review by Mari Lynne Rupp



This 2009 Hidden Gem stars the lovely Felissa Rose of original "Sleepaway Camp" fame as the mother of a disturbed young man, who as a youth, was caught with the bloody knife that killed his father and his father's mistress some 15 years before. The story begins with a typical happy family christmas until the father decides to get down and dirty with the housekeeper, which is where both lovers meet their end....15 years later, Mary (Felissa Rose) is visiting her son Devin (Samuel Nathan Hoffmire) in an institution, then cuts to her daughters (one of whom was a toddler at the time of her father's slaying) as they go through their day to day life with some unusual questions. Why can the older sister Taylor not remember that terrible day? Why does their mother keep them from visiting their brother these past fifteen years? Why are there not even pictures of their family before the tragedy? The answer, unfortunately,is obvious and predictable, especially if you're familiar with Felissa Rose's past work.

Not to say she doesn't work her share of the scenes, but the dialogue, and direction aren't some of the finest.

Written by Jeremiah Campbell and Novin Shakiba, directed by Shakiba, it brings to mind a student thesis for film school produced on a shoestring budget. Not a bad offering, but it seems to have "borrowed" quite a lot from Rob Zombie's Halloween reimagining. I'd still watch it again, if only because I'm a sucker for Christmas movies, and this one is a great compromise with the hubby when he gets tired of my 120th viewing of "Christmas Vacation". 6/10

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