Horror Short Review: Eve of the Nutcracker (2016)

Eve of the Nutcracker is a short Christmas horror written, directed and edited by Kyle Martellacci. The short stars Stephanie Moran, Kyle Martellacci himself & Clayton Millette.

It’s Christmas Eve & Oliva notices an extra gift under her Christmas tree. She pulls it out & sees that it’s for her from ‘Santa’. Opening it she finds an odd-looking nutcracker doll inside. Thinking little of it she puts it on her mantlepiece, puts a Christmas tune on the record player & sits down for a drink.

Then she notices the nutcracker has gone.

It seems as though every time she turns her back, it ends up somewhere different. Suitably freaked out she decides to throw it outside in the snow & then there is a knock on the door.

To say anymore would spoil the freaky & satisfying payoff. Eve of the Nutcracker is a great horror short, one that embraces Christmas while staying truly horrifying.

At 6 minutes long & with very little dialogue, Stephanie Moran does a great job of conveying a frustrated & unhappy young woman. Without saying a word it’s clear she’s not in a good place with her boyfriend/partner something that is later confirmed while talking to a friend.

The mournful Christmas tunes against the snow outside, the colourfully lit house & roaring fire is reminiscent of holiday slashers of old. Here, it’s far more modern looking with some great camera work designed specifically for us to see something Oliva isn’t.

It’s good clean holiday fun…well, expect for a bloody saw! Check it out yourself below & find out more about Red Razor Pictures here.