The second remake of 1974's 'Black Christmas' isn't a classic like the original, but it's a hell of a lot better then the 2006 version. Remake number one was unimaginative garbage, while remake number two actually has some ideas. While the sexual politics of the 1974 and 2006 films are almost shockingly similar, the 2019 version is decidedly post MeToo. While versions 1 & 2 are extremely white, one non caucassion speaking part among them, version 3 is brown. This movie is woke, and the better for it.
While the 2006 remake was interested in the sorority house and it's history, the 2019 version is interested in the college and it's legacy. Hawthorne College has been around for 200 years, it's founder Calvin Hawthorne apparently among the last slave holders in the North. Changing times bread diverse reactions, while women characters challange the old order, the "Founders Frat" (target of sexual assult allegations in the recent past) is feeling rather disrespected. This movie goes overtly supernatural, something neither of its predecessors did.
It reminded me a bit of 'Don't Worry Darling', both films have something of a Jordan Peterson figure as a bad guy. I was expecting some kind of a trick ending in that movie, not so much here so it could surprise me more with less effort. Good central performance by lead Imogene Potts, likable enough supporting characters, one of whom is named Nate and he dies (most characters in this die) at least trying to be heroic. The film could get rather heavy handed in its messaging and I prefered its more ambiguous first half. I was impressed with the improvement between the sequels, this adaption is not a lazy rehash, it's loser, using the basic premise as a vehical for exploring some contemporary social controversies, and of course serving up some kill sequences. **1/2
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