In this episode, I take a solo look at Black Christmas from 1974, a film often cited as a precursor to the modern slasher but better understood as a study in atmosphere, ambiguity, and unease. Set during Christmas break at a sorority house, the film builds tension through obscene phone calls, off-screen violence, and the unsettling idea that the threat is already inside the home.

Rather than focusing on gore or body count, Black Christmas relies on restraint, long takes, silence, and point-of-view shots that deny the audience clarity or comfort. The killer remains unseen and unexplained, turning absence itself into a source of horror. I discuss how this creative choice separates the film from later slashers and why its refusal to provide answers is central to its impact.

The episode also explores themes beneath the surface, institutional failure, dismissal of women’s fears, and the collapse of perceived safety. I examine the film’s bleak ending, its influence on later horror, particularly Halloween, and why Black Christmas still feels unsettling more than fifty years after its release. This is a conversation about dread over spectacle and why ambiguity can be more disturbing than resolution.

Thank you, everyone, for your support. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out on Instagram at ⁠⁠⁠@so_you_like_horror⁠⁠⁠ or email us directly at soyoulikehorror@gmail.com. We're open to all conversations, suggestions, topics, and criticisms.