Streaming free on TubiTv in the USA/AU and CA, The Killing Tree aka The Demonic Christmas Tree might look extremely promising. It sure lured me in with its great premise of a Christmas tree that goes on a murderous spree. Even opening scenes showed that this could have been a movie only rivaled by a similar Christmas horror favorite, Treevenge.
The title opens with a very sad widower ready to cast a spell and bring her husband back. She talks fondly about his imminent return as she sets the spell up inside a pentagram on the floor. Once the spell is completed, the tree gets to its feet trunk and wonders what on earth has happened. His voice is different and his body feels weird. He makes his way toward a mirror and sees himself, chucks a fit, and in his anger kills his wife.
Just when things look as though they might start to get interesting, time and time again the narrative turns its attention towards too much chit-chat. There is so much inane filler in The Killing Tree 2022 that I fell asleep the first time I tried to watch it. Performances are lackluster at best and the Killing Tree himself doles out nothing more than a spitting personality image of Chucky. Only Chucky has better lines.
The Killing Tree is Demonic and It Wants to Kill
Director Rhys Frake-Waterfield is also responsible for the 2023 release Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey. But if what happens in the rest of the film is any indication of Blood and Honey’s quality, those waiting patiently might be sorely disappointed. With only momentary glimpses of a good time here in The Killing Tree, most of what we get is not that great. More than once I saw the shoes of whoever was inside the Christmas tree costume. Most of the gore is sorely lacking in both practical effects and where CGI comes into play.
Although I got a bit of a kick out of initially seeing space alien-type vines shoot out toward his intended victims, the novelty soon wore off with the difference in how the tree behaves. Between scenes, sometimes the scale of the tree is completely out of whack.
But in the essence of the requirement of an endless stream of Christmas horror movies during the night, The Killing Tree is the perfect film to put on in the background. This chilling and suspenseful movie takes you on a terrifying journey through a dark and sinister forest, where a group of friends encounters a malevolent force that threatens to unravel their very existence.
As the night grows darker and the tension builds, The Killing Tree keeps delivering some unforgettable death scenes. But The Killing Tree is not just a typical slasher film; it delves into deeper themes exploring the darkness of the human psyche and the destructive power of secrets. It challenges our notions of good and evil, making us question our morality. The movie leaves you contemplating long after the credits have rolled, provoking thought and discussion about the nature of fear, the consequences of our choices, and the true nature of horror.
So, if you’re craving an absurdly unsettling experience while immersing yourself in the holiday spirit, The Killing Tree is a must-watch Christmas horror movie that will satisfy most. Just make sure to have the lights off and a warm blanket ready, because creating the right atmosphere when watching horror films is key to elevating the experience.
From the Director of Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey
Directed by the minds that brought you Winnie the Pooh, Blood, and Honey and brought to life by an ensemble cast, The Killing Tree invests in a harrowing journey of survival, all while pushed up against the haunting forest that serves as the backdrop for their nightmare. If you want to watch the Uncork’d Entertainment release, The Killing Tree is streaming on Apple Plus as well as Tubi from November 1st, 2022.
The Killing Tree 2022 aka The Demonic Christmas Tree is rated
1.5 bad narratives out of 5
The Demonic Christmas Tree is Streaming for Free
Director: Rhys Frake-Waterfield (Firenado)
Writer: Craig McLearie (Screenplay)
The cast of The Killing Tree 2022
- Sarah T Cohen (Jurassic Island)
- Sarah Alexandra Marks (Help)
- May Kelly (Winnie-the-Pooh Blood and Honey)
- Kelly Rian Sanson (Curse of Jack Frost)
- Ella Starbuck
