It’s a Wonderful Knife clues audiences in on what to expect. Clearly a take off of a beloved Christmas classic, the film will turn the premise into a comedic slasher. And that happens – to an extent. The plot follows Winnie Carruthers (Jane Widdop, Angie: Lost Girl) whose life changes dramatically one year after saving her town from a psychotic killer on Christmas Eve.
The cold open sets up one of the most important aspects of a well made thriller; no one is safe and anyone can die at any time. It is an excellent opening – arguably the most exciting power of It’s a Wonderful Knife. But it comes at a big risk. Now what? Writer Michael Kennedy solves the issue by introducing a neat wrinkle. It’s a Wonderful Knife is a slasher through and through, but there is also a running theme of how much one life means. It is a fun twist that is often seen in holiday stories and rarely seen in horror. Though it is often in the background, it works perfectly here.
The characters are a fun bunch. Justin Long (Barbarian) is his usual awesome self as the smarmy mayor, and it is always great to see Katherine Isabelle (Ginger Snaps). Widdop and Jess McLeod do outstanding jobs as the heroines. They are helped by the fact that they have depth no one else in It’s a Wonderful Knife has, but the pair are also heroes that are easy to get behind.
But the real star is The Angel. The most popular horror franchises have succeeded thanks to a strong villain. Plenty have tried to create an iconic villain that fans can get behind, but it has been years since one as visually impressive as The Angel has come along. The sleek look is simple, looks great and is most importantly, frightening. From their first appearance, it is obvious that this is a creation that can have staying power.
Holiday horror has been the source for some great viewing. It’s a Wonderful Knife is an outstanding addition. There are moments of humor, but it is more of a Christmas movie than a comedy. Even the smallest roles add something, and the Big Bad has already garnered enough support to appear on the cover of Fangoria. This is a must watch for the season.
It’s a Wonderful Knife comes to theaters November 10
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