Black Christmas

Black Christmas

Year: 2019

Runtime: 92 min

Language: English

Director: Sophia Takal

Echo Score: 35

Budget: $5M

MysteryThrillerHorror

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.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Black Christmas yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – Black Christmas (2019)

Trace every key event in Black Christmas (2019) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Lindsey's Attack

While making her way home, Lindsey, a student at Hawthorne College, becomes the victim of a brutal attack by a trio of masked figures. This event sets off a chain reaction of fear and suspicion throughout the college community.

Hawthorne College
2

Riley's Past

Riley Stone, portrayed by Imogen Poots, grapples with her haunting past involving an unreported rape by Brian Huntley, the president of the DKO fraternity. She faces disbelief from her peers about her trauma, which complicates her emotional state as the holiday break approaches.

Hawthorne College
3

The Sorority Talent Show

As the sisters prepare for a talent show featuring a dance routine choreographed by Riley, she shares an emotional moment by giving her cherished lucky comb to Helena, showcasing the bond they share. This event is a pivotal highlight for the sorority.

Hawthorne College
4

Petition Against Caleb Hawthorne's Bust

Kris advocates for a petition to remove the bust of Caleb Hawthorne, the college founder known for his misogynistic views, from the main building. This action ignites tension between the sorority sisters and the DKO fraternity members.

Hawthorne College
5

Brian's Return

During her shift at the coffee shop, Riley receives unsettling news about Brian's return to oversee the talent show. She also meets Landon, a charming boy who shows interest in her, providing a moment of levity amidst the growing tension.

Coffee Shop
6

Disturbing DKO Ritual

At a DKO event, Riley stumbles upon a disturbing ritual involving the fraternity's new pledges. She also witnesses Helena being nearly assaulted, prompting Riley to take immediate action and ensure Helena's safety.

DKO House
7

Performance at the Talent Show

Riley and her sisters perform a powerful song during the talent show, boldly calling out the dominant rape culture and stating that Brian raped Riley. This performance uplifts their spirits, strengthening their bond and courage.

Hawthorne College
8

Helena's Fate

The horror escalates when Helena becomes a victim of Lindsey's attacker, leading to a frantic search for her amidst growing tension. The sorority sisters are quickly realizing their lives are under threat.

Hawthorne College
9

Fran's Murder

The sorority's terror deepens as Fran, a fellow sister, is murdered by the same masked assailant that attacked Lindsey. This brutal act serves as a grim reminder of their vulnerability and draws the group closer together.

Hawthorne College
10

Finding Jesse

In a desperate attempt to seek safety, Kris discovers Jesse's lifeless body in the attic, deepening the horror that has struck their circle. The remaining sisters band together to fend off the bow-wielding attacker.

Hawthorne College
11

Confrontation with the Attacker

Riley bravely confronts the masked assailant, managing to escape with Kris after a fierce struggle. However, tragedy strikes as Marty succumbs to her injuries, sacrificing herself to ensure that Riley and Kris get to safety.

Hawthorne College
12

Riley's Revenge

Fueled by anger and determination, Riley decides to confront the DKO fraternity directly, believing there's a connection to the killings and Hawthorne's sinister legacy. She enlists Landon's help to infiltrate the house.

DKO House
13

Dark Secrets at DKO

Inside the DKO house, Riley uncovers alarming evidence of the fraternity's sinister activities and its connection to Caleb Hawthorne's spirit. She discovers Helena alive but realizes she is a prisoner within the fraternity's sinister plot.

DKO House
14

Battle Against Evil

A fierce battle erupts as Kris leads the remaining sisters into the fray to confront the deadly fraternity brothers. In the showdown, Riley defeats Brian and destroys the Hawthorne bust, breaking its dark hold.

DKO House
15

Aftermath and Transformation

As the group escapes the burning DKO house, Riley reflects on her transformation and newfound strength after surviving the harrowing events. A chilling post-credits scene arrives, teasing the lingering darkness that may still reside.

Hawthorne College

Last Updated: November 02, 2024 at 12:25

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Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Feminist Slashers with Social Commentary like Black Christmas

Horror films that use the slasher premise to critique systemic misogyny.If you liked the sharp social critique in Black Christmas, explore other movies like it. This section features horror and thriller films that use survival narratives to tackle themes of misogyny, sexual assault, and female empowerment, offering a similar blend of intense scares and serious themes.

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Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread typically follow a group, often women, being systematically hunted. The narrative structure reveals that the threat is not just a lone killer but a manifestation of a deeper, systemic problem. The survivors' arc involves not only physical escape but also a confrontation with and often a symbolic defeat of the oppressive ideology itself.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped together because they share a core purpose: to use the visceral fear of the horror genre to explore and condemn real-world social issues. They create a cohesive experience by blending high-intensity scares with a dark, politically aware tone and a focus on themes of survival, sisterhood, and revenge.

Sorority and Campus Survival Horror Movies like Black Christmas

Terrifying threats that invade the supposed safety of college life.For viewers who enjoyed the college setting of Black Christmas, this section highlights similar movies like it. Discover other horror and thriller films where the terror unfolds on campus, targeting students and turning a place of learning into a fight for survival, often with a fast pace and dark tone.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a killer or supernatural force targeting a specific group within a campus setting, such as a sorority. The isolation of the campus and the familiarity of the victims with each other and their environment heightens the tension. The story revolves around uncovering secrets related to the institution's past or present while the body count rises rapidly.

Why These Movies?

These films create a cohesive viewing experience through their shared setting and situational dynamics. The college campus provides a specific vibe—mixing youthful energy with vulnerability—and the plots commonly involve a fast pace, high intensity, and a dark tone as the characters' world is violently disrupted.

Unlock the Full Story of Black Christmas

Don't stop at just watching — explore Black Christmas in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Black Christmas is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Black Christmas Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Black Christmas, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Black Christmas Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Black Christmas

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Black Christmas. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Black Christmas

Black Christmas Ending Explained

What really happened at the end of Black Christmas? This detailed ending explained page breaks down final scenes, hidden clues, and alternate interpretations with expert analysis and viewer theories.

Black Christmas Ending Explained

Black Christmas Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Black Christmas that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Black Christmas Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Black Christmas

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Black Christmas: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

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