The calls (and texts) might be coming from inside the house as a killer stalks a group of sorority sisters in the first trailer for Black Christmas, directed by Sophia Takal (best known for directing an episode of Into the Dark), who also co-wrote the script with April Wolfe. The original 1974 Black Christmas is widely regarded by film historians as one of the first slasher films.
(Some spoilers for original film and 2006 remake below.)
Original screenwriter A. Roy Moore was influenced by the infamous urban legend about the babysitter and the man upstairs, as well as string of holiday murders in Montreal, Quebec. While the film mostly received lackluster reviews, it proved modestly profitable at the box office, and over the years, it has garnered a strong cult following. Director John Carpenter was purportedly inspired by Black Christmas when he made 1978's Halloween. Sure, it's a typical slasher film, but you could do worse for gory alternative holiday fare if you're in the mood for that sort of thing. Along with the occasional humorous touches, there are some genuinely shocking twists, including a deliberately ambiguous ending (we never learn the killer's identity, for one thing). Sadly, the 2006 remake had none of those redeeming qualities.
It's Christmas break at the sorority house. YouTube/Universal Party time! YouTube/Universal In the Yuletide spirit. YouTube/Universal An icicle makes a handy weapon. YouTube/Universal Not the festive sort of snow angel. YouTube/Universal Should they be concerned that a sorority sister didn't make it home last night? YouTube/Universal Another one bites the dust. YouTube/Universal That makes three. YouTube/Universal Time to start fighting back. YouTube/Universal That's an unexpected twist. YouTube/Universal Would you trust this professor? (Yes, that's Cary Elwes.) YouTube/Universal There might be some dark secret at Hawthorne College. YouTube/Universal
