As our Holiday Horror series continues, The Film Jury turns its attention to one of the most controversial slashers of the 1980s. This week, James, Kat, and Meagan review Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984), the infamous Christmas slasher directed by Charles E. Sellier Jr. and written by Michael Hickey.

Starring Robert Brian Wilson, Lilyan Chauvin, Gilmer McCormick, and Linnea Quigley, the film follows a traumatized young man who dons a Santa suit and embarks on a murderous rampage fueled by childhood trauma, religious guilt, and a deeply confused moral message.

In this episode, the Jury pulls no punches.

We break down:
• The film's troubled production and cultural backlash
• Its reliance on shock value over storytelling
• Weak performances and inconsistent tone
• Problematic themes and exploitative execution
• Why controversy does not equal quality
• How the film became notorious despite its flaws

The Verdict:
James — Guilty
Kat — Guilty
Meagan — Guilty

FINAL JUDGMENT: Unanimous Guilty Verdict

While Silent Night, Deadly Night has earned cult infamy and a place in horror history, the Film Jury finds it fundamentally broken in execution, intent, and impact. Sometimes a movie is remembered not because it's good, but because it's loud.

Listen now as we continue our December deep dive into holiday horror, separating seasonal classics from cinematic coal.

This week, The Film Jury dives into the 1974 horror classic Black Christmas, the original slasher that helped define the genre long before Halloween or Friday the 13th. Directed by Bob Clark and written by A. Roy Moore, this cult favorite blends holiday cheer with chilling suspense, a creeping sense of dread, and some of the most iconic early slasher techniques in cinematic history.

Starring Olivia Hussey, Keir Dullea, Margot Kidder, and John Saxon, the film follows a group of sorority sisters who begin receiving terrifying phone calls and threats during the Christmas holiday. As tension mounts and murders escalate, no one is safe — and the line between safety and horror disappears.

In this episode, the Jury discusses:

• How Black Christmas influenced the modern slasher genre

• The performances of Olivia Hussey, Margot Kidder, and the ensemble cast

• Bob Clark's use of suspense, framing, and sound design to create terror

• The film's lasting legacy in holiday horror and cult cinema

• Why this classic still resonates with audiences decades later

NEW RANKING SYSTEM — Full Acquittal

• James — Not Guilty

• Kristina — Not Guilty

• Heidi — Not Guilty

The Film Jury delivers a unanimous verdict: Black Christmas (1974) remains a chilling, masterful classic that continues to haunt holiday horror fans.

Tune in for our full discussion, and see why this seminal slasher still holds up as a must-watch for horror enthusiasts.

The Film Jury is back with a festive blood-soaked verdict as James, Kristina, and Heidi take on the cult favorite Anna and the Apocalypse (2017), the wildly inventive Christmas zombie musical directed by John McPhail and written by Alan McDonald and the late Ryan McHenry.

Starring Ella Hunt, Malcolm Cumming, Sarah Swire, Christopher Leveaux, Ben Wiggins, Marli Siu, and Mark Benton, this genre-blending film mashes up holiday cheer, high-school drama, infectious musical numbers, and a full-scale zombie outbreak—and somehow makes it all work.

In this episode, the Jury breaks down:
– Why the film's musical sequences elevate the horror-comedy format
– How the cast brings surprising emotional weight to the chaos
– The movie's mix of camp, heart, and genuine apocalypse stakes
– What makes this one of the most unique holiday horror films in years
– Whether the film deserves its growing cult status

The Verdict:
James — Not Guilty
Kristina — Not Guilty
Heidi — Not Guilty

FINAL JUDGMENT: Full Acquittal 🎬

If you love horror-comedy, zombie movies, offbeat musicals, or alternative Christmas films, this episode delivers a full breakdown of why Anna and the Apocalypse continues to stand out in the genre.

Listen now and let The Film Jury decide your holiday watchlist.