It’s a Wonderful Knife (2023) | Film Review

If you happen to be a horror fan, there is simply never a bad time for a bit of hack-n-slash. While the world becomes enamored with mistletoe and Mariah Carey’s inevitable release from the tomb, the rest of us are yearning for a little something extra bloody in our stockings to jazz up that holiday cheer. Perhaps even turn a yuletide favorite on its ear. This year, we are treated to what might be the greatest title for a Christmas slasher in history, It’s a Wonderful Knife.

The opening to Knife, written by Freaky’s Michael Kennedy and directed by Tyler MacIntyre, is essentially the ending to your typical slasher film. After a bit of Hallmark Christmas sweetness with Winnie (Jane Widdop) and her family going about their holiday festivities, it’s time to head into the town of Angel Falls. Here we meet our villainous foe, a maniacal killer who stalks and murders his prey dressed in an admittedly sleek angel costume, just in time to watch his demise at the hands of Winnie, our final girl. Oh, side-wrinkle: our angel is real estate mogul Henry Waters (Justin Long, a bit off-center with some serious 80s-era Chevy Chase choppers), who was butchering civilians to orchestrate a massive land development deal and also happens to be the best friend of Winnie’s dad (an always welcome Joel McHale).

That is the setup, not a spoiler.

One year later, Winnie is still reeling from the trauma of losing her best friend in the attack and murdering a man, regardless of how awful he was. Therefore, she makes a wish that she had never been born. Thanks to a bit of movie logic magic, her dream comes true. Winnie was never born and never stopped the murders, allowing for many more to follow, and Henry Waters eventually became Mayor of Angel Falls. Now, teaming up with a delightful loner in Bernie (Jess McLeod), Winnie must race against time to set things right or be forced to live in a timeline where murder appears to be more common than speeding.

It’s a Wonderful Knife follows a very clever conceit, itself a play off the obvious Christmas classic, It’s a Wonderful Life. It also dives into a topic rarely covered in slasher films, the consequences. Outside of Scream sequels, rarely do we see the repercussions an onslaught of death wreaks on the survivors. While the townsfolk of Angel Falls seem relatively at ease with excessively rampant murder, it does make for an engaging backdrop to watch as Winnie navigates this new reality desperately seeking to rectify her wish.

Jane Widdop carries herself solidly as she dips in-and-out of the slasher-meets-comedy tone of the film. Her performance is our window into this world, and she’s the most grounded person in it. The true standout, though, is Jess McLeod as Bernie. Often referred to as “Weirdo” throughout the film, Bernie is socially awkward and carrying her own struggles within her seemingly composed persona, and McLeod imbues Bernie with instant compassion and empathy. Her subtle nuances and character tics were the highlight of the film for me, and salvaged many of the issues I did have with the film.

That brings me to the issues I did have with the film: the aforementioned tone. Michael Kennedy’s Freaky was a biting combo platter of vicious comedy that performed exceptionally well. That film understood its place and fully delivered. It’s a Wonderful Knife, on the other hand, seems to bobble back-and-forth between styles and genres, not quite ever truly connecting on one seamless track. There is a lot to enjoy in this film, it just never quite takes the leap this story could have to establish itself as a holiday horror classic.

It’s a Wonderful Knife leaves us with an intriguing idea and two enjoyable leads in Widdop and McLeod. Though the film’s promise is never met, this is nevertheless an entertaining diversion from Mariah’s annual yodel.