Like many slasher movies and demonic possession sub-genres, a surprise conclusion is the result of careful planning and twisting narrative details. The mystery lies in what the chosen entity might do, once unleashed, and who it might be after next. “The Sacrifice Game” opens with a classic slasher storyline where four criminals are on the road leaving a bloody murderous trail behind them.
Nicknamed “The Christmas Killers,” newspapers around the area are reporting the crime spree. The antagonists are a diverse group of typical delinquents stumbling their way through various locales. It’s not long before we are given a reason for their exploits. They are trying to locate people with unique skin tattoos capable of unleashing a demon who is told to grant wishes. While clichéd villains can be irksome in movies like this, they complement the underlying darkness of the overall plot.
Christmas Horror
Set in the 1970s and at Christmas, The Sacrifice Game introduces us to a small group of people stuck at school for the holidays. Friends of convenience, Clara (Georgia Acken) and Samantha (Madison Baines) find themselves with only each other and their teacher for company. Their teacher Rose (Chloë Levine) decides to make things as nice as possible for the girls and they all start working together to make a lavish Christmas dinner.
As the preparations are almost ready, the gang confidently infiltrates the girls’ school. The murderous group is firmly convinced that they have finally found the missing victims required to finish their ritual. All they need to do is kill a couple of innocents and unleash the demon that will give them everything they have ever desired.
The film delves into the human psyche, examining the lengths people are willing to go to in several different ways. This time, we are offered an emotionally relevant experience instead of being beaten over the head by religion or any other institution with an agenda. With promises of endless wishes and dreams being granted, The Sacrifice Game paves the way for a generic horror movie, however, there are enough plot twists to satisfy most discerning film lovers.
The Sacrifice Game Pushes Boundaries But Never Shoves
The depiction of violence generally occurred off-screen, demonstrating a softer approach by the film. There are a few moments included for the fans of gore just to keep you on your toes. The story downplayed customary torture rituals in favor of lighter offerings to appease the demon – such as cutting off hair to demonstrate worthiness. It comes as a nice change, considering the trend of eye gouging in recent years.
The filmmakers pushed boundaries without going overboard in presenting extreme scenarios. For avid fans of horror movies, The Sacrifice Game will likely be well-received. CGI is used sparingly however was not something that worked extremely well. On the upside, when scenes called for a more bloody conclusion, kills were executed with success.
“We pick a house with a nice couple in it and then we slash them up”
The Sacrifice Game movie quote
The cinematography and visual effects in the film were also commendable, effectively creating an eerie and unsettling atmosphere throughout. The use of dim lighting and intense close-ups added to the sense of dread and suspense. Additionally, the haunting musical score enhanced the overall impact of the film, perfectly capturing the sinister tone.
The Sacrifice Game Cast
The performances by the cast were equally impressive, with each actor delivering convincing portrayals of their characters’ fear and desperation. The character of Clara looked to be inspired by something similar to Wednesday. Ackens made a stellar attempt to fill those gothic-style shoes, often stealing screen, throwing light and shade that resulted in fabulous depth for who her character essentially is.
The Sacrifice Game also stands out for its meticulous attention to detail in production design. From the meticulously crafted set pieces to the authentic costumes, every aspect of the film’s visual aesthetic feels carefully considered and purposeful. This level of craftsmanship adds depth and richness to the storytelling.
Don’t be alarmed but, The Sacrifice Game feels predictable for most of its runtime. Fans of possession horror get the same storyline over and over again. This time though, there is just enough stuffed into the final act to ensure that this is a Christmas horror movie worthy of your attention, especially if you like the main ingredients.
Shudder will premiere the title on their exclusive platform on December 8th, 2023. The movie was first shown at the Fantasia Film Festival in July.
- Produced by Red Sea Media, the film is directed by Jenn Wexler (The Ranger.) Screenwriters: Jenn Wexler, Sean Redlitz.
- Starring: Mena Massoud, Olivia Scott Welch, Gus Kenworthy, Madison Baines, Derek Johns, Laurent Pitre, Chloë Levine, Georgia Acken.
The Sacrifice Game is rated
3.75 The Sacrifice Game movie ending is really good out of 5
The Sacrifice Game Movie Trailer
For movies like The Sacrifice Game watch The Puppet Man, Bad Things, or The Seed next.
