Reviews by:
@augustkellerwrites
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Violent Night is thin. Its premise is cute and Harbour is ideal, but everything else is lacking. Exemplifying a film that works best as a trailer, Violent Night supplements its one joke with halfhearted Christmas tropes. Consequently, it feels uncertain, both subverting and emulating the genre. Plus, characters are unlikable stereotypes that don't pay off. Leguizamo, Hassell, and D'Angelodo try, but this mindless material can only flatline. Dialogue is transparent, humor is clunky, puns are inconsistent, threads are cluttered (so perspective is unfocused), plot points are cliche, backstories are corny, and tension is nonexistent. Ultimately, Violent Night offers very little connection.
Technically, Violent Night is disappointing. Despite being so smug about its edginess, the film is fairly tame. There are some solid kills but the combat is mostly forgettable. Meanwhile, the momentum is dull because the tone is uncommitted, the sound has sparse emphasis, the effects are inconsistent, the supporting cast is inconsequential, the production design is unimaginative, and the music is stale (besides some juxtaposition). The cinematography shows brief creativity but is primarily unmotivated, drab, and muddled. Overall, Violent Night has potential but fails to support its strengths. The gimmick might satisfy some, but most will hardly remember it.
Writing: 3/10
Direction: 4/10
Cinematography: 5/10
Acting: 5/10
Editing: 5/10
Sound: 6/10
Score/Soundtrack: 5/10
Production Design: 6/10
Casting: 5/10
Effects: 6/10
Overall Score: 5.0/10
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