Horror Movie Review: A Quarantined Christmas (2020)

Written and directed by Alexander Ray Williams, A Quarantined Christmas is a minimalist Christmas horror that makes up for the lack of festive cheer by telling an effective paranoia-laced story.

Not related to the pandemic events of the past few years (as it was made before), it’s still hard to not connect the story of A Quarantined Christmas to the times we live in. Even if it is an extreme example. Stay indoors. You might be infected.

Starring Malcolm Xavier Isabelle Du, and Bryan Scamman. A Quarantined Christmas sees a group of friends gathering for some festive frivolities. However, one of them has brought along a gift that no-one wants. A virus that has been tracked by the authorities, who arrive at the house and quarantine the group inside.

The suspicions around who was responsible and who is infected now would be more than enough to test most relationships. However, when the doctor investigating the virus is killed, it becomes clear that someone in the group is a murderer. No-one can be trusted and escape is impossible.

A Quarantined Christmas needed to have great characters and even better performances as it’s all about mistrust and deception. Considering how much of the film is just people talking in a small house, it needed to do a lot to hold attentions. Arguably an impossible task, especially when it comes to festive horrors.

A Quarantined Christmas doesn’t quite mange that task fully, but it does keep you watching. Thanks to a solid set of characters and good performances. What it lacks in action and entertainment, it makes up for with its uncomfortable circumstances and bleak outlook. You may not always be awed by what is happening on screen (there are quite a few slow moments) but you will want to see how it all pans out.

Just don’t expect to feel good about it afterwards.

Perhaps the biggest criticism that can be levied at the movie is the lack of utilising the season. It might be called A Quarantined Christmas, it might be set at Christmas and it might have some Christmas music playing, but that’s about all you’re going to get here. Not a big enough deal to ruin the experience overall but it does detract from it.

For many, A Quarantined Christmas will just be too slow to enjoy and it’s a fair argument. However, the bleak tone certainly makes it a more worthwhile experience than you might first expect.