Young Australian filmmaker Alice Maio Mackay (T Blockers, Satranic Panic) returns to Fantasia International Film Festival with her latest film, Carnage for Christmas. Co-written by Mackay and Benjamin Pahl Robinson (T Blockers, Satranic Panic), the film follows Lola, a popular true-crime podcaster as she returns home for the first time since running away at 16 and transitioning. Upon her return, the people around Lola are picked off by a killer from local urban legend dressed as Santa Claus, leaving it up to her to solve the twisted mystery.

Much like Mackay’s previous work, Carnage for Christmas takes inspiration from classic horror films of the past and gives it a modern, queer update for today’s horror fans. For this film, the audience travels with Lola back to her small hometown. It’s haunted by a horrific crime from the past committed by a man referred to as “the toymaker.” When the people around Lola start dying, killed by someone dressed as the toymaker of local legend, the police are about as clueless as one might expect from horror movie cops. Lately, there have been a lot of horror films that touch on the ethics of true crime shows, podcasts, books, etc. In most cases, the true crime craze is shown in more of a negative light, exploring the glorification and romanticizing it often leads to. With Carnage for Christmas, the filmmakers create a different view of true crime. The protagonist is a true crime podcaster, yet she cares more about the victims and the investigation, rather than the killers. It’s Lola’s knowledge of these crimes and investigations that makes her the perfect person to crack the case.

The filmmakers also incorporated political elements that add layers and depth to the small town mystery. Much of this has to do with how LGBTQIA+ individuals are treated in a small town, especially transgender people like Lola, but the story also explores corruption and bigotry in many forms. This adds extra pieces to the puzzle, further elevating the suspense and uncertainty. While the ending may seem a bit abrupt, it still allows for all the puzzle pieces to come together seamlessly. The end result is a great homage for holiday horror films of the 80’s that still feels unique and exciting, ensuring Carnage for Christmas will become a holiday season staple for horror fans.

Carnage for Christmas has a great cast, including Jeremy Moineau making her debut as Lola. Moineau makes it immediately clear that Lola has thrived in her time away from her hometown. She’s strong, confident, and ready to handle anything thrown her way. A highlight of Moineau’s portrayal of Lola is how she conveys Lola’s compassion and ability to see things that others don’t. It allows the audience to understand Lola is a person who will fight for what’s right and fight for those who feel helpless. While Moineau is the definitive star of the film, there are also wonderful performances from the entire ensemble cast. Two highlights from that ensemble are Dominique Booth (Dying to be a Cheerleader) as Danielle and Tumelo Nthupi (Satranic Panic) as Kent.

Mackay has a knack for making the most of her small budgets with every film. Carnage for Christmas is a great example of this. Her films tend to always have great color and lighting, which is true for this film as well. Yet there are some unique elements thrown into this film that make it really stand out. At one point early on in the film, Lola recounts a coming-of-age ritual from her hometown that involves the toymaker’s house. This entire sequence shows the ritual through animation. It’s a great point of visual interest, and the use of animation to show a childhood memory lends to the sense of a dark children’s story. Carnage for Christmas also boasts some interesting editing and scene transitions done by Vera Drew (The People’s Joker). Some audiences might wish there was more gore and more of the kills were shown, but the filmmakers used their money wisely, choosing to mostly focus on the aftermath of the kills and still delivering striking, gory murder scenes. Of everything in Carnage for Christmas, audiences are sure to be most struck by the toymaker’s look. While the old Santa suit is nothing special, this killer wears a worn, decaying Santa mask that certainly leaves a lasting impression.

Carnage for Christmas is another success for Mackay, delivering a film that pays homage to holiday horror favorites with a modern, queer spin. Of the films I’ve seen by Mackay thus far, this seems like the most polished, cohesive film she’s done. It’s a wonderful combination of suspense and murderous mayhem, with the added depth of political and social issues. The performances are great, the visuals are dazzling, and the story is one that will appeal to more seasoned horror fans as well as younger ones new to the genre. I have no doubt Carnage for Christmas will become an instant holiday horror classic.

OVERALL RATING: 7/10