SILENT NIGHT is a true genre hybrid spanning comedy, drama, and horror. I wasn’t sure what to expect but I was very pleasantly surprised. Tight storytelling and a brilliant cast. In theaters and streaming on AMC+ exclusively. Read our full Silent Night movie review here!
SILENT NIGHT is a new dark horror drama-comedy with the most amazing cast. In other words, it’s quite the genre hybrid. All while being a true Christmas movie as well. If you think this sounds like it might all be too much, you’d be wrong.
Or rather, with another cast and writer-director, it could easily have been a huge mess. However, this one works perfectly in every way. It even features a tight runtime of just around an hour and a half. And it has a gorgeous setting in a big old house in the English countryside.
Continue reading our Silent Night movie review below. Check it out in movie theaters or streaming exclusively on AMC+ first. It will be out on Shudder later, but I definitely recommend watching it for this Holiday season.
A very dark comedic horror drama!
There’s no getting around the fact that Silent Night is a very dark and rather sad story. We’re talking laughter, friendship, family, Christmas cheer, and imminent apocalyptic death. So yes, the official description of “darkly comedic drama/horror” is very appropriate.
Ultimately, what surprised me the most about Silent Night (other than the whip-smart dialogue) was the engaging intensity. I was so wonderfully surprised by this movie – even if it also broke my heart at times!
In other words, do be warned: While it’s funny and downright terrifying at times, it’s also a “feel sad”-movie in many ways. No matter your age, prospects, hopes, and dreams for life, everyone will die on this night. I knew this much about the movie, but how it all happens is the true genius of Silent Night.
A wonderful all-star ensemble cast
Silent Night is one of those movies that has managed to bring together a true all-star ensemble cast. This includes Keira Knightley (Pirates of the Caribbean franchise) and Matthew Goode (Stoker, Self/less) as a married couple hosting the Christmas gathering. And yes, they do play a lovely and very realistic couple.
Their three sons are portrayed by Roman Griffin Davis (Jojo Rabbit) along with twins Gilby Griffin-Davis and Hardy Griffin-Davis. And yes, they are all brothers (and sons of the writer-director of this movie). Roman Griffin plays a very different role than in Jojo Rabbit (obviously!), but he proves that he is absolutely brilliant yet again.
For me, the fact that there is such a direct and honest tone of voice between all members of the family is perfect. Also, yes, there is a lot of swearing. Such is real life for many of us.
Trudie Styler also has a small role as the mother of Keira Knightley’s character. One of the more heartbreaking moments comes from the scene she’s in. Trudie Styler (yes, wife of Sting) is also a producer on this movie as she has been on films such as Duncan Jones’ Moon (2009), Filth (2013), and the horror-fantasy Wildling (2018).
Genre actors in SILENT NIGHT
The all-star cast continues when it comes to the people joining the family. Horror fans will surely recognize horror darling, Annabelle Wallis. She’s been in Annabelle, The Mummy, and just recently in Warning and Malignant.
In Silent Night, she plays quite the diva who’s married to a very laid-back character played by Rufus Jones (The Foreigner). Also, their very strange daughter, Kitty, is played by Davida McKenzie (sister of Thomasin McKenzie).
Yet another couple is played by Lily Rose-Depp (Voyagers) and Ṣọpé Dìrísù (His House), who are struggling with some news. Finally, the last couple is portrayed by lovely Kirby Howell-Baptiste (Killing Eve, Why Women Kill) and a fierce Lucy Punch (Into the Woods, Cottage Country).
Watch Silent Night in theaters or stream exclusively on AMC+
Silent Night marks the feature film debut for director and screenwriter Camille Griffin. And yes, that means she’s also the mother of the three boys portraying the sons of the Keira Knightley and Matthew Goode characters in this movie. Based on this one, I cannot wait to see what Camille Griffin comes up with next!
Fortunately, Camille Griffin is currently developing two new feature films. One is a Keira Knightley project with Searchlight Pictures and with Celine Rattray and Trudie Styler yet again producing. The other is a Netflix science fiction film with Simon Kinberg and Audrey Chon producing. In other words, we have more to look forward to.
Silent Night recently won Best Screenplay and The Audience Award at the prestigious genre film festival Sitges. After watching it, I can definitely understand why. The tight storytelling and brilliant cast make this is a true gem. Also, I even loved the fact that the trailer didn’t give away too much!
With Silent Night you’ll get a Christmas movie that manages to span comedy, drama, and horror. And while I definitely wasn’t sure what to expect, I was very pleasantly surprised.
SILENT NIGHT is out in Theaters and streaming exclusively on AMC+ on December 3, 2021.
Details
DIRECTOR: Camille Griffin
WRITER: Camille Griffin
STARRING: Keira Knightley, Matthew Goode, Roman Griffin Davis, Annabelle Wallis, Lily-Rose Depp, Ṣọpé Dìrísù, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, Lucy Punch, Rufus Jones, Trudie Styler
Plot
In true British fashion, (while the rest of the world faces impending doom), a group of old friends reunite to celebrate Christmas in the comfort of an idyllic country home. Burdened with the inconvenience of mankind’s imminent destruction, they adopt a stiff upper lip, crack open another bottle of prosecco and continue with their festivities. But no amount of stoicism can replace the courage needed for their last night on earth.
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