Logo What's After the Movie

Black Christmas 2019

During the Christmas break at Hawthorne College, a series of terrifying murders rocks the campus as a masked killer stalks and targets sorority sisters. As the body count rises, Riley and her friends find themselves confronting a sinister presence and a growing sense of dread. They must examine their relationships with the men in their lives—including a boyfriend, a new crush, and even a professor—as they fight to uncover the killer's identity and survive the holiday season.

During the Christmas break at Hawthorne College, a series of terrifying murders rocks the campus as a masked killer stalks and targets sorority sisters. As the body count rises, Riley and her friends find themselves confronting a sinister presence and a growing sense of dread. They must examine their relationships with the men in their lives—including a boyfriend, a new crush, and even a professor—as they fight to uncover the killer's identity and survive the holiday season.

Does Black Christmas have end credit scenes?

No!

Black Christmas does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.

Meet the Full Cast and Actors of Black Christmas

Explore the complete cast of Black Christmas, including both lead and supporting actors. Learn who plays each character, discover their past roles and achievements, and find out what makes this ensemble cast stand out in the world of film and television.


Ratings and Reviews for Black Christmas

See how Black Christmas is rated across major platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Compare audience scores and critic reviews to understand where Black Christmas stands among top-rated movies in its genre.


Echo Score

The Movie Echo Score

35

Black Christmas aims to deliver a feminist-tinged horror experience but falters in execution across multiple fronts. The film’s political themes and moments of sisterhood engagement are undercut by uneven pacing and uninspired writing. While a few performances and thematic intentions stand out, the overall narrative feels predictable and heavy-handed. On balance, the movie’s combination of flawed craft and weak storytelling yields a disappointing viewing experience.

The Movie Echo Score Breakdown for Black Christmas

35
Echo Score

Art & Craft

The film’s technical craftsmanship is largely underwhelming. Direction is functional but fails to build lasting tension, and cinematography often appears flat and uninspired. Occasional moments of visual polish hint at ambition, but production design and editing do little to enhance atmosphere. Overall, the movie’s art and craft elements struggle to elevate even its strongest sequences.

50
Echo Score

Character & Emotion

Performances and emotional resonance are the aspect’s principal strengths amid broader inconsistencies. Imogen Poots anchors key scenes with credible intensity, and moments of on-screen chemistry reinforce the film’s thematic core. However, dialogue often feels forced, and many supporting roles lack depth or subtlety. In net, character portrayals offer some genuine connection but remain uneven.

30
Echo Score

Story & Flow

The narrative is hampered by predictability and heavy-handed messaging. Plot devices feel borrowed, pacing alternates between meandering setups and rushed resolutions, and the third-act twist strains credibility. Attempts at social commentary often override suspense, leaving key story beats lifeless. As a result, engagement suffers and the film’s premise never fully comes to life.

40
Echo Score

Sensory Experience

Audio-visual elements show occasional promise but rarely sustain horror momentum. Visual sequences occasionally feature polished composition, yet most scenes rely on generic lighting and framing. The score and sound design fail to amplify tension, rendering key moments emotionally muted. Altogether, the sensory experience offers limited impact and seldom enhances the film’s intended thrills.

20
Echo Score

Rewatch Factor

The film offers minimal replay value given its predictable structure and lack of nuance. Repeated viewings reveal few layers or surprises, and memorable scares are scarce. While thematic intentions remain clear, the absence of suspenseful payoff and the heavy-handed tone diminish lasting appeal. Ultimately, the movie is unlikely to reward subsequent viewings.

Metacritic

49

Metascore

1.9

User Score

Rotten Tomatoes
review

71%

TOMATOMETER

review

76%

User Score

IMDb

3.5 /10

IMDb Rating

TMDB

45

%

User Score

Letterboxd

1.8

From 11 fan ratings

Movie Insider

3.00/5

From 8 fan ratings

Take the Ultimate Black Christmas Movie Quiz

Challenge your knowledge of Black Christmas with this fun and interactive movie quiz. Test yourself on key plot points, iconic characters, hidden details, and memorable moments to see how well you really know the film.


Black Christmas (2019) Quiz: Test your knowledge on the dark and thrilling events of Black Christmas (2019) and its characters.

What tragic event triggers the main events in Black Christmas?

Full Plot Summary and Ending Explained for Black Christmas

See more

Read the complete plot summary of Black Christmas, including all major events, twists, and the full ending explained in detail. Explore key characters, themes, hidden meanings, and everything you need to understand the story from beginning to end.


While making her way home, Lindsey, a student at Hawthorne College, becomes the victim of a brutal attack by a trio of masked figures. As the rest of the college community prepares for the festive holiday break, Riley Stone, portrayed by Imogen Poots, battles her own haunting past stemming from an unreported rape committed by Brian Huntley, the president of the DKO fraternity, which few believed. As she navigates this trauma, her supportive sorority sisters—Kris (played by Aleyse Shannon), Marty (Lily Donoghue), Jesse (Brittany O’Grady), and Helena (Madeleine Adams)—gear up for a talent show that features a dance routine choreographed by Riley herself. In an emotional gesture, Riley gives Helena her cherished lucky comb.

Meanwhile, Kris has riled the DKO fraternity members and Professor Gelson (Cary Elwes) by advocating for a petition that calls for the removal of the bust of Caleb Hawthorne, the college’s founder known for his misogynistic views, from the main building. Another petition challenges Gelson’s outdated curriculum that dismisses literature authored by women. During a shift at the coffee shop, Riley receives unsettling news about Brian’s return to oversee the talent show and meets Landon (Caleb Eberhardt), a charming boy who shows interest in her.

As the sisters attend the DKO event, Riley stumbles upon a peculiar ritual involving the fraternity’s new pledges while also witnessing a disturbing incident where Helena is nearly assaulted. Taking action, Riley ensures Helena is safely sent home. Seizing her chance, Riley performs a powerful song with her sisters at the talent show, calling out the prevailing rape culture and declaring that “Brian did rape Riley.” Their performance lifts spirits, allowing Riley to bond further with Landon. However, the dark events escalate when Helena falls victim to Lindsey’s attacker.

The following day brings a series of ominous direct messages from an account linked to Caleb Hawthorne, eerily reminiscent of the messages received by Lindsey before her death. As the girls grapple with these threats, the horror intensifies with the murder of sorority sister Fran (Nathalie Morris) by the same masked assailant. With Helena’s whereabouts unclear, Riley alerts the unhelpful campus security, who dismiss her concerns, assuming Helena has simply gone AWOL with a boyfriend.

Tensions flare between Marty and her boyfriend Nate (Simon Mead), culminating in a heated argument that leads to Nate’s exiting the house, only for him to later fall victim to the killer. The mounting chaos spirals as Jesse is found lifeless in the attic, and the remaining sisters, Riley, Kris, and Marty, fend off a bow-wielding attacker who injures Marty before the girls manage to lock themselves in a room for safety.

Desperate, Riley ventures out for her phone while Kris goes to check on Jesse, only to discover her terrible fate. In a turn of events, Nate returns attempting to apologize, but meets a gruesome demise. Riley, empowered by survival instincts, manages to defeat the masked attacker before she and Kris find themselves facing two more assailants. Tragically, Marty succumbs to her injuries, sacrificing herself to ensure Riley and Kris escape to safety in Nate’s car.

As they flee, Riley theorizes a connection between the killings and Hawthorne’s sinister legacy of black magic associated with the bust. Disagreeing passionately, Kris insists they head to the police, but Riley, fueled by anger, decides to confront the DKO fraternity directly, recruiting Landon’s help to infiltrate the house. Meanwhile, Kris discovers that jersey-bound pledges have also targeted Lindsey’s sorority sisters, prompting her to spring to their defense.

Inside the DKO house, chaos erupts when Landon is coerced into pledging, while Riley encounters alarming evidence of Hawthorne’s influence as the bust continues to ooze the black goo. In a shocking revelation, she finds Helena alive but held captive. Just as Riley attempts a rescue, she is overpowered. Awakening to face off against Professor Gelson, Brian, and the DKO brothers, Riley learns of a dark plot involving an ancient spell using the black goo, which allows the spirit of Caleb Hawthorne to possess the fraternity’s pledges and compel them to harm rebellious women.

Betrayal strikes as Helena reveals her complicity with the fraternity, only to be murdered by a pledge as a display of dominance. With her fate uncertain, Riley is demanded to submit to Brian, but steadfast in her resolve, she plots revenge. At a crucial moment, Kris leads the remaining sorority sisters into the fray, and a fierce battle ensues. Ultimately, Riley defeats Brian and shatters the Hawthorne bust, liberating Landon from his trance.

With Kris igniting Gelson in a blaze, the group escapes and locks the fraternity brothers inside, leaving the house to meet its fiery end. As they witness the destruction, Riley is transformed by her experiences, embracing a new-found strength.

In a chilling post-credits scene, a cat beloved to the MKE sisters is seen licking the remnants of the malevolent black goo, hinting that the darkness may still linger.

Uncover the Details: Timeline, Characters, Themes, and Beyond!

Watch Trailers, Clips & Behind-the-Scenes for Black Christmas

See more

Watch official trailers, exclusive clips, cast interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage from Black Christmas. Dive deeper into the making of the film, its standout moments, and key production insights.


Official Trailer

'Something doesn't feel right' Extended Preview

The Scariest Christmas You Could Ask For Extended Preview

Welcome to Mu Kappa Epsilon Bonus Feature

Cars Featured in Black Christmas

See 5 more

Explore all cars featured in Black Christmas, including their makes, models, scenes they appear in, and their significance to the plot. A must-read for car enthusiasts and movie buffs alike.


GMC

2010

Terrain

Holden

2018

Acadia AC

Jeep

1990

Cherokee

Toyota

2018

Corolla

Toyota

2014

Highlander

Movie Themes and Keywords

Discover the central themes, ideas, and keywords that define the movie’s story, tone, and message. Analyze the film’s deeper meanings, genre influences, and recurring concepts.


christmas horrorslasherstalkervictim fights backrape victimcharacters killed one by onemisogynytitle directed by femalef ratedtriple f ratedstrong womanslasher killersororityscene during end creditsmid credits scenestrong female characterholiday in titlecolor in titleinterracial lovebody countpsychologicalchristmasteen horrorteenage girlteenage boymurdercollegeremakeviolencegirl in jeopardygirl murderedholiday horrorstabbed to deathcell phonecatwhite cattext messagesnowsnowmanamphitheatercollege professorprofessorpetitionritualvomitingsingingsongchestsuperpowerpossession

Similar Movies You Should Know About

Browse a curated list of movies similar in genre, tone, characters, or story structure. Discover new titles like the one you're watching, perfect for fans of related plots, vibes, or cinematic styles.


© 2025 What's After the Movie. All rights reserved.