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Fantasia International Film Festival audiences were treated to the world premiere of director Jenn Wexler’s sophomore feature film, The Sacrifice Game. Wexler (The Ranger) co-wrote the film with Sean Redlitz, this being Redlitz’s feature film debut. Together, Wexler and Redlitz craft a story of murder, mayhem, and demonic terror. Samantha and Clara are two teens stuck at their boarding school for Christmas break. When a band a murderous come knocking on Christmas Eve in hopes of completing a demonic ritual, both the girls and the killers get far more than they bargained for.

Wexler and Redlitz weave together a thrilling plot with The Sacrifice Game. The audience is immediately hooked with a cold opening that will likely make audiences think of the crimes carried out by the Manson Family. From there, the audience is given time to get to know the two girls at the boarding school, both loners in their own right, as they’re forced to spend time together for the holidays. During this character development, the filmmakers plant seeds that allude to the carnage that will soon spill into the halls of the isolated school. Yet even for audiences who pick up on every little clue left, hinting at what’s to come, there are still plenty of surprises to keep viewers on their toes. The story is truly captivating with tons of thrills and gore, but it’s the heart of the film that left me with an ear-to-ear grin on my face as the credits rolled.

There are two different subgenres in The Sacrifice Game that are seamlessly weaved together. The first one introduced involves murderous home invaders. We watch time and time again as four deadly individuals break into homes and slaughter those within, seemingly without remorse. The second subgenre introduced is more supernatural. Early on there are hints of a witchcraft as the killers paint strange symbols at the site of their murders. The mythos that unfolds, revealing a demonic ritual and the dark history of the town and the girl’s school, adds an extra layer of intrigue. It also allows for some extra mischief and a bit of demonic fun to spice up the slaughter.

The Sacrifice Game has a phenomenal ensemble cast with a combination of new and familiar faces. Madison Baines (1UP, The Young Arsonists) stars as Samantha. Samantha is an outcast at the school for many reasons, so when her plans abruptly change and force her to stay at school for Christmas, it seems like the end of the world after everything else she’s had to deal with. Baines delivers a compelling performances that endears audiences to Samantha and allows her to be the heart of the film. Georgia Acken makes her feature-film debut starring as Clara, another loner at the boarding school staying on campus for break. Clara is a more mysterious character, keeping mostly to herself and occasionally doing or saying things other would find odd. Acken is great, but truly shines in the climax of the film, delivering a performance that is sure to make audiences take notice. While there are too many great performances to praise them all, honorable mention goes to Chloë Levine (The Ranger), Mena Massoud (Aladdin), Olivia Scott Welch (Fear Street Trilogy), Laurent Pitre (Under the Banner of Heaven), and Derek Johns (The Boys).

Visuals are a large part of this film’s success as well. The film takes place in 1971, so many artistic elements are vital to help transport the audience to that time. Great care went into everything from the music to the costume design to the set design. The result is a film that looks like it came straight out of the 70’s. Then, of course, there are the practical effects. These effects are perhaps more simplistic than you might expect, but they are executed perfectly to create grizzly wounds, flayed flesh, and even old scars. Without giving too much away, there is also some wonderful, but still quite subtle, makeup and contacts utilized to create a demonic entity.

The Sacrifice Game is delivers a demonic, violent thrill ride with a heart-felt, gooey center. Wexler and Redlitz make a perfect team, creating a film with a little something for everyone. Audiences will be transported to the past and taken on an adventure that blends deranged killers and supernatural forces. With a delightful cast giving it their all and a healthy dose of blood and flesh, it’s hard not to become completely entrances by this film. The Sacrifice Game is sure to become a holiday favorite each December.

OVERALL RATING: 8.5/10