Cineverse has announced the acquisition of three new holiday horror titles, and they’re releasing them exclusively on their horror streaming service Screambox.
“Since Black Christmas, holiday films have been a refreshing sub-genre within horror,” said Brad Miska, Managing Director of Bloody Disgusting/Cineverse. “These films offer a much-needed contrast to the ‘all is well’ narrative that is so often depicted in seasonal films. The angst and anxiety of holiday horror offers a cathartic release because, for many, the holidays are not perfect, and we don’t see ourselves in the yuletide rom-coms. We’re thrilled to be releasing these films because they offer something for everyone; whether you want to laugh, scream, or just have fun, you can find it here.”
Secret Santa
From director Adam Marcus (“Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday”) comes the story of a holiday guest bearing anything but glad tidings. Co-written by Marcus and Debra Sullivan (“Texas Chainsaw”), “Secret Santa” is one of the most highly anticipated holiday horror films in years. Called “a nearly perfect holiday horror film” by Horror Geek Life, the publication went on to say the film “blends laughter with blood, death, and gore in a nearly perfect way, while managing to have a heart, and still feel like a holiday film.” “Secret Santa” stars Michael Rady (“Timeless”), Debra Sullivan (“Big Love”), and comedian Drew Lynch. The film premiered at the Sitges Film Festival and was produced by Bryan S. Sexton, with John Gilbert & Robert Kurtzman acting as executive producers.
As friends and family gather near to celebrate another holiday season, they have no idea a murderer lies in their midst. With drinks flowing, a distant and dysfunctional, affluent family is unaware that their yuletide libations are laced with a truth serum that will bring holy hell down on their holiday gathering. When secrets begin to spill, the tension rises until it escalates into a murderous rampage that Krampus would be proud of. But through the bobbles and bloodshed, one among them is desperate to stop the mayhem before it’s too late.
Night of the Missing
As the yuletide hour nears, a small-town sheriff finds out that the ghosts of the past do not always stay silent. From the producers of the cult classic “The Gallows,” “Night of the Missing” is a four-part holiday anthology that could best be described as a twisted take on “A Christmas Carol.” Featuring an incredible cast led by horror icons Bill Moseley (“House of 1000 Corpses”) and Jenna Kanell (“Renfield”), the film was released as a Screambox Exclusive at the end of November.
From award-winning filmmaker Samuel Gonzalez Jr. (“Nite Flirt”), “Night of the Missing” follows a series of disappearances that take place in a small town. On a stormy Christmas Eve, a secretive sheriff gets a visit from a mysterious woman who recounts a series of bizarre stories involving missing persons. As her stories begin to unfold, the depraved deeds of the sleepy town find themselves coming to life; conjuring vibrations of a disturbing telephone call, a mysterious ice cream man, a missing friend, and broken promises with dire repercussions. As the disturbing tales continue to unravel, the most terrifying revelation may be that the monster behind them is much closer than anyone thinks.
“Phenomenal cast, crew, concept, is there anything more to say,” said Miska. “Night of the Missing is gory, frightening and able to meld these differing stories into a wonderfully disturbing narrative.”
Santastein
Here comes Santa Claus has never been such a sinister warning. Arriving on Screambox on December 19, “Santastein” tells the story of two friends (Max & Paige) with a rather peculiar hobby: they like to bring things back from the dead. With their first successful rodent resurrection, they set their sights on something bigger, following in the footsteps of Frankenstein himself. When they decide to bring back the body of a man dressed like Santa Claus, Max feels it is his chance to right the wrongs of his past; having accidentally killed Father Christmas when he was six. What they don’t realize is that instead of a jolly gift giver, they unleash a bloodthirsty monster. When Santa attacks their friend’s Christmas party, it’s up to them to take the holiday icon down.
“Sometimes a film comes along, and all you can say is that is exactly what I needed,” Miska concluded. “Santastein is the kind of playful and ridiculous film that makes holiday horror such a unique genre. You’re going to walk away thinking, ‘damn that was fun’.”
Screambox features a broad mix of content for casual and die-hard horror fans alike. The service is refreshed monthly with content from the Company’s extensive genre library, with films and episodes delivering every type of terror imaginable. Screambox is available to stream on iOS, Android, Prime Video, YouTube TV, Comcast, Cox and screambox.com.
