7 Christmas thrillers that challenge the idea of the perfect holidays

Although I am very inclined to romanticize the holidays, I also believe it is important to remember that they are not fairy-tale-like for everyone. The holidays exist in dysfunctional families, in hospitals, and among those who are grappling with personal loss or loneliness. They exist even when we have not resolved certain important battles. It is fine to surrender to them for a moment, but not to forget that the world is only seemingly more glittering, cheerful, and lavish. For this very reason, films and stories that also reveal the darker side of Christmas can be just as important and liberating. In recent years, storytelling about Christmas on the big screen has turned into a series of rather repetitive and predictable clichés. For those seeking a different kind of Christmas, less predictable and less banal, the following list of boundary-pushing films is worth revisiting. These are Christmas thrillers that have that extra something, capable of surprising you and offering an unusual Christmas Eve. On top of that, they feature well-known star-studded casts.

Silent Night (2021)

This “apocalyptic black comedy” by director Camille Griffin follows a group of family members and friends gathered for an opulent Christmas dinner at a country estate. As they prepare for the celebration, they suddenly learn that a massive cloud of toxic gas threatens to destroy the Earth, and that the elite have received suicide pills from the government to take before going to sleep on Christmas Eve, so they will not die a painful death. As they spend their final hours on Earth together, the festivities fade into the background and an awareness of the end of the world slowly overtakes the group. The lead roles are played by Keira Knightley and Matthew Goode, and critics have described the film as “strikingly strange.”

The Winter House (2021)

After the collapse of her 25-year marriage, renowned writer Eileen, played by Lily Taylor, retreats to an isolated house by a frozen lake in the middle of winter in an attempt to overcome her creative block. When a young, mysterious man appears at her door, an unexpected connection develops between them, with unsettling consequences. With impressive landscapes and unpredictable twists, this unjustly forgotten film is ideal for evenings by the fireplace.

Eyes Wide Shut (1999)

Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise in the leading roles. Is there anything more to say about this cult psychological thriller set during a glamorous yet dark holiday season? When she honestly admits that she once had an intense fantasy about another man, Bill is confronted with his own feelings of jealousy and insecurity. His reaction leads him on a dangerous nocturnal journey through a world of temptation, secrets, and near-adulterous encounters, uncovering layers of passion, power, and hidden darkness within an apparently perfect marriage.

Die Hard 2

There is no need to emphasize that Die Hard 2 does not reach the stature of its predecessor, but since every list of favorite holiday films includes the original from 1988, we wanted to give some attention to its often overlooked sequel as well. In showing how the same trouble can happen to the same man twice, Die Hard 2 clearly aims to outdo the original, replacing vertical claustrophobia with open spaces and even more explosions. Bruce Willis once again reprises the role of John McClane, a New York police officer who finds himself in yet another dangerous scenario. This time, the action takes place at Dulles Airport on Christmas night, where terrorists seize control of communications and landing systems, threatening the lives of passengers and the safety of the airport.

The Snowman (2017)

Based on the novel of the same name by Jo Nesbø, The Snowman follows Michael Fassbender as Harry Hole, a highly intelligent detective struggling with alcoholism while trying to catch a serial killer who leaves a snowman at each crime scene as his signature. With a strong supporting cast including Chloë Sevigny, Anne Reid, James D’Arcy, Adrian Dunbar, and others, the film gains additional weight.

Carry-On (2024)

When a young TSA agent, played by Taron Egerton, is blackmailed into transporting an extremely dangerous package during the Christmas rush, he must rise above the situation and do everything he can to prevent the shipment from passing through security and triggering an international incident. Rotten Tomatoes awarded this holiday thriller a score of 88 percent, and it has recently become available on Netflix.

Lady in the Lake (1947)

Let us return to the beginnings of cinema. Lady in the Lake was a revolutionary film. It opens with a direct address to the audience, drawing us into the world of detective Philip Marlowe from the novels of Raymond Chandler. Montgomery uses a first-person camera perspective throughout the entire film, making it a unique experiment in the history of the noir genre. The world around Marlowe appears cheerful and festive, while the characters are trapped in lies, danger, and intrigue, intensifying the sense of contrast, tension, and irony. The supporting performances, including Audrey Totter as the femme fatale, further enhance the noir tone, while the holiday setting reminds us how thin the line is between light and darkness, joy and danger.