313 reviews
Seeking a laugh for the end of the world, and failing. (Movie Synopsis: So major spoilers)
- EMalloryHardgrave
- Nov 24, 2021
- Permalink
DARK COMEDY.
Never has a film been so heartwarming, heartbreaking and horrifying. SILENT NIGHT is humanity at its very best in the face of its worst fears with laughter, tears and a poignant reminder of why life is worth living at all before we meet our inevidable ends.
- andrewchristianjr
- Dec 9, 2021
- Permalink
Everybody gets exactly what they deserve
I'm not really sure this film knows what it wants to be. If you want to watch a good film about adults and children facing the end check out 'These Final Hours'. If you want to watch a black comedy about the end of the world try Dr Strangelove. There is a lot of talent on screen but much of the script is nonsense and the characters are both sympathetic and unlikeable - but not in a good way. Roman Griffin Davis was pretty good, but the script was obviously distorted to feature everything he says and does. Nothing felt natural and most of the character's motivations remain a mystery. By the end you don't care how it ends.
Great spin on holiday film
Check your "holiday spirit" at the door and be ready for a full on pitchblack snark fest instead of the usual holiday hokiness.
I had forgotten the premise after skimming some previews a few weeks back online, so almost felt like a blind watch, until the very dark paradigm switch happens with the story arch.
I just so happen to appreciate the well acted and directed film and its daring and unique take, but clearly wont be for everyone.
Mix it up this year, but also might want to leave the kids out of this one. Its only depressing if you can't find the humor and there is plenty of that.
I had forgotten the premise after skimming some previews a few weeks back online, so almost felt like a blind watch, until the very dark paradigm switch happens with the story arch.
I just so happen to appreciate the well acted and directed film and its daring and unique take, but clearly wont be for everyone.
Mix it up this year, but also might want to leave the kids out of this one. Its only depressing if you can't find the humor and there is plenty of that.
Perfect Metaphor for 2021
Dark Drama
I don't know how its been given a Horror and a Comedy status.
It's dark, sad, and not in the least funny or scary.
Don't watch on Christmas day as it may upset you.
It's dark, sad, and not in the least funny or scary.
Don't watch on Christmas day as it may upset you.
This could have been so much better.
The last twenty minutes and the end are excellent but sadly to get to that point you have to endure pretty much endless boredom. The acting is ok but the characters are so unlikeable you barely care what happens to them by the time you get to the good bit. The kids are all awful people and the constant swearing is quite repulsive - it may have been a plot point but if it was it was far too heavy handed. It would have worked as a twenty minute episode of an anthology tv show but did not have enough substance to carry it for ninety minutes and the padding that was the building of the characters and their back stories just made it tiresome to watch. It's a shame - handled differently it could have been quite good.
Interesting
"Silent Night" is an interesting film. It took me thirty minutes into the film to figure out what is going on. The plot is interesting, but I did see the ending coming. It nice to see so many big name actors and actresses.
7
Certainly an interesting film to watch, especially in the time of covid and natural desasters going on everywhere like floods, fires etc...
Not sure what genre it is. Dark comedy or light horror.
Certainly, the last 2 seconds are the scariest.
And I expected that chicken to show up at the end.
7+ from me.
Certainly, the last 2 seconds are the scariest.
And I expected that chicken to show up at the end.
7+ from me.
An inferior version of "Melancholia"
This film struggles to balance its comedic and dramatic elements, resulting in a disjointed experience for the viewer. The attempts at humor feel contrived and fall flat, while the serious moments lack the emotional weight they deserve. The acting is passable, but unfortunately, the poor writing and direction overshadow any standout performances.
If you're looking for a film that explores similar themes but executes them with far greater skill, Lars von Trier's "Melancholia" is an excellent choice. In comparison, "Melancholia" delivers a powerful and emotionally charged story, with beautifully crafted characters and stunning visuals. Overall, "Silent Night" may have had potential, its lackluster execution makes it a forgettable watch.
If you're looking for a film that explores similar themes but executes them with far greater skill, Lars von Trier's "Melancholia" is an excellent choice. In comparison, "Melancholia" delivers a powerful and emotionally charged story, with beautifully crafted characters and stunning visuals. Overall, "Silent Night" may have had potential, its lackluster execution makes it a forgettable watch.
Goode thought-experiment
- chantalvanderende-465-646091
- Dec 15, 2021
- Permalink
Blue pill or red pill?
- frank-liesenborgs
- Dec 4, 2021
- Permalink
Love and Death Actually
Painfully slow....
Boring at times but the final scene makes up for what mostly is a below average movie. Great acting all around. The Pace of the moving is painfully slow.
- adambrose-19842
- Nov 22, 2021
- Permalink
Did I just watch an anti-Vaxx propaganda movie?
- SamanthaGladue
- Dec 6, 2021
- Permalink
Feels extremely pointless
This is a very bizarre vision for a film. I get the apocalyptic angle and I really like movies like that but this movie in particular is so aimless. I guess there's some sort of meaning in here but honestly it's all too boring and uneventful. I also really like dialogue driven films but they have to have a point to them. This movie is beyond pointless and is an utter disappointment. I usually like Matthew Goode but his character was horribly written here. He gets very little lines and he's just underwhelming. Any time he is on screen he doesn't say more than 5 words or is whisping by in the background. This movie is also overly depressing for what it is. It's like, um ok which genre is in the forefront here? It's clearly a drama but they tried to inject some dry humor in there just to have it fall on its face. Hard.
- TuesdayThe17th
- Mar 12, 2022
- Permalink
Strange yet compelling.
I saw this at a preview screening in an almost full cinema, and probably the most telling comment I could give is that at the end of the film, as the final credits rolled, the whole cinema was eerily quiet.
I think most people (myself included) were left wondering "what have I just seen?".
That is not a criticism as such, more a reflection on what is a very strange, sometimes profound, and yet an extremely compelling film.
There are some strong and hugely enjoyable performances from most of the cast, and the script is clever and occasionally funny - albeit with many more than necessary profanities (particularly from the children!).
The ending was inevitable, yet I found it somewhat unfulfilling. Having said that I'm not sure how else they could have wrapped it up.
Certainly it is not a film for everybody, but it is a film that makes you think.
I think most people (myself included) were left wondering "what have I just seen?".
That is not a criticism as such, more a reflection on what is a very strange, sometimes profound, and yet an extremely compelling film.
There are some strong and hugely enjoyable performances from most of the cast, and the script is clever and occasionally funny - albeit with many more than necessary profanities (particularly from the children!).
The ending was inevitable, yet I found it somewhat unfulfilling. Having said that I'm not sure how else they could have wrapped it up.
Certainly it is not a film for everybody, but it is a film that makes you think.
- acunnington-49732
- Nov 29, 2021
- Permalink
Christmas apocalypse
The film tried so hard to become funny and creative but accomplishes neither. It got not a single chuckle for me.
Pretty sad considering I had some good actors and actresses on board.
Pretty sad considering I had some good actors and actresses on board.
- Horror_Flick_Fanatic
- Dec 3, 2021
- Permalink
Timely Take on Fear Mongering and Groupthink
The Anti-Hallmark Christmas Movie
Every so often, a movie like this pops up around this time of year as a sort of Anti-Hallmark Christmas Movie. Some movies like Krampus can be fun and thought-provoking. But this film isn't fun or thought-provoking. The only reason I watched this is that I liked the cast. But they couldn't save this mess. It's Christmas, and a family gathers for one last time as there is a plosion or something that is supposedly going to kill them all. Or they may just kill themselves. It's kind of vague at the start. It's like M Night Shyamalan's The Happening at Christmas. Kind of. I won't spoil anything, but the main conflict is whether you want a painless death or take your chances knowing you might have a painful death. While this could be an interesting premise, it doesn't work here. The characters are all jerks and unlikeable except Art (the kid from JoJo Rabbit). I didn't relate to any of them at all. I also didn't like that this film was kind of preachy, and it seemed to promote conspiracy theories. Supposedly they started making this film pre-Covid-19 and then, so I'll give them a pass on some aspects of the story. However, it still feels awkward watching it now, and I doubt that it will age well. Also, I find it hard to believe that the government would give its people suicide pills. They didn't even give us a mask, lol. In real life, they would be like, the economy can't take this. You just have to do your best. Or they would let people fend for themselves. The only redeeming part of this movie is Roman Griffin Davis, who proves again that he is a great actor. I love Keira Knightly, but this isn't one of her better performances, and honestly, I feel like she could do better. She has done better. If this movie sounds interesting to you, go watch Seeking a Friend for the End of the World, The Walking Dead, or, I never thought I say this, The Happening.
A pleasant yet bleak surprise
Actually not bad! I guess another victim of bad marketing because I think people went to see it with the absolutely wrong expectations. Its not your typical Christmas flick but rather a very, very dark comedy with many truly dramatic aspects.
And its funny how up to date it is in a certain way. Truly surprising that this was written and directed pre covid because in many ways it mirrors our current society.
The characters are 95% really unlikeable, especially at the beginning. Yes the beginning is weird, but it kind of makes sense. And dont read too much about it in advance, that will help.
Keira Knightley was good but she has been better. I really liked Matthew Goode here, he was not as stiff as usually. Lucy Punch was great as well.
But the most outstanding performance comes once again from "JoJo Rabbit"s Roman Griffin Davis. He was SO good. Quirky and bad mouthed but also very dramatic in a convincing way. Wouldn't be surprised if he makes my line up once again.
Good soundtrack, very good writing and a decent direction round this up to a pleasant surprise that really deserves a way better reception than it got.
And its funny how up to date it is in a certain way. Truly surprising that this was written and directed pre covid because in many ways it mirrors our current society.
The characters are 95% really unlikeable, especially at the beginning. Yes the beginning is weird, but it kind of makes sense. And dont read too much about it in advance, that will help.
Keira Knightley was good but she has been better. I really liked Matthew Goode here, he was not as stiff as usually. Lucy Punch was great as well.
But the most outstanding performance comes once again from "JoJo Rabbit"s Roman Griffin Davis. He was SO good. Quirky and bad mouthed but also very dramatic in a convincing way. Wouldn't be surprised if he makes my line up once again.
Good soundtrack, very good writing and a decent direction round this up to a pleasant surprise that really deserves a way better reception than it got.
- Alexander_Blanchett
- Dec 7, 2021
- Permalink
MisClassified and underrated
Silent night is not a horror nor a comedy. It is a very well written drama as the real story and situation emerges from the Christmas festivities one can only wonder how I would react in the same situation. One of the best films I've seen in 2021.
I've never been so bored
Maybe it's an English thing, but this film is not funny at all. It's dark, I will give it that. Are we supposed to believe that this is what people would do on their last night alive? "I know, let's have a dinner party and talk about stuff - maybe make a few quips. Cheerio!"
- digitalhat
- Dec 3, 2021
- Permalink
Strong characters carry a middling film
I'm not a big fan of Christmas films but if I'm going to watch one it's probably going to be a horror. I've been excited for 'Silent Night' for a while now. It just sounded like an interesting premise for a film and the cast was extremely strong. It wasn't quite the sinister film I was hoping for. It was much more of a drama than anything else. I still managed to find enjoyment in it, but I'd be lying if I said it wasn't a little bit of a let down.
The film is kind of secretive and discreet about what exactly is going on. I think the film would've been stronger if it was more up front right from the get go. It didn't add anything to the film being sly about the plot. A lot of scenes can't be fully appreciated on first (and likely only) watch because you don't have all the information.
The film presents some interesting situations for the characters to deal with, but it sometimes feels like it's too afraid to be overly daring and push the limits. I did like the characters themselves though. They were what made the movie as watchable as it was. 7/10.
The film is kind of secretive and discreet about what exactly is going on. I think the film would've been stronger if it was more up front right from the get go. It didn't add anything to the film being sly about the plot. A lot of scenes can't be fully appreciated on first (and likely only) watch because you don't have all the information.
The film presents some interesting situations for the characters to deal with, but it sometimes feels like it's too afraid to be overly daring and push the limits. I did like the characters themselves though. They were what made the movie as watchable as it was. 7/10.
- jtindahouse
- Dec 4, 2021
- Permalink
Good questions, but tonally unfocused
The tone is not perfect and I would even say that is almost impossible to balance drama and comedy with such strong and immediate situation: the climate phenomenon and the group suicide theme. Unfortunately, the comedy didn't work for me and felt forced, so the biggest impact was on the emotional side.
The film has some things to say, but, more importantly, a lot of questions to make us think: about the way we treat our planet, about the way we treat the others, if we still have time, if we want/should fight, the importance of our choices, of our family, of our friends, life, suffer, acceptance. There are some really impactful scenes (the ending is good - even if slightly predictable - but also the scenes when Art find out the car and when they are speaking with the grandma are highlights) and it's a film that is not afraid to make you uncomfortable, no matter the side and the interpretation you want to make of it.
Not perfect and I kind of think that is could have been memorable with a different tone. However, it's very unique, really well acted and shot and a challenging final product.
The film has some things to say, but, more importantly, a lot of questions to make us think: about the way we treat our planet, about the way we treat the others, if we still have time, if we want/should fight, the importance of our choices, of our family, of our friends, life, suffer, acceptance. There are some really impactful scenes (the ending is good - even if slightly predictable - but also the scenes when Art find out the car and when they are speaking with the grandma are highlights) and it's a film that is not afraid to make you uncomfortable, no matter the side and the interpretation you want to make of it.
Not perfect and I kind of think that is could have been memorable with a different tone. However, it's very unique, really well acted and shot and a challenging final product.
- PedroPires90
- Dec 13, 2021
- Permalink