Home » Reviews » Hollywood Movie Reviews

It’s A Wonderful Knife Movie Review: Is Justin Long’s Film A Festive Slay Or Holiday Disarray?

Name: It's A Wonderful Knife
Item: It's A Wonderful Knife
Rating: 2.5
Author: Koimoi.com Team

It's A Wonderful Knife starring Justin Long is a good one time watch but is highly predictable. Read our review here!

Koimoi.com Team

- November 14, 2023 | 5:08 PM IST

It’s A Wonderful Knife Movie Review Rating:

Star Cast: Jane Widdop, Jess McLeod, Joel McHale, Katharine Isabelle, William B. Davis, Justin Long, Aiden Howard, Erin Boyes and others

Director: Tyler MacIntyre

Writer: Michael Kennedy

Rating: R (Bloody Violence|Language|Drug Use)

Genre: Holiday, Horror, Comedy

Release Date (Theaters): Nov 10, 2023

Release Date (Streaming): Dec 22, 2023

It's A Wonderful Knife Review — It’s A Wonderful Knife Review Out! (Picture Credit: IMDb)

What’s Good: It’s A Wonderful Knife creatively reimagines a classic narrative, adding a masked killer in an alternate universe twist. Justin Long’s portrayal of Mayor Waters stands out, blending campiness and dark intensity.

What’s Bad: The film’s kills lack impressiveness, and the horror elements are predictable. The plot occasionally deviates into random elements, losing sight of its initial premise. The design of the masked killer lacks the intended menace.

Loo Break: Consider taking a brief restroom break during scenes where the narrative introduces elements related to mystical aurora borealis mysteries.

Watch or Not?: For those seeking a blend of horror and festive cheer, It’s A Wonderful Knife is an engaging watch, but be prepared for occasional predictability and deviations in the plot.

Language: English With Subtitles

Available On: Theatrical release

Runtime: 1h 27 minutes

User Rating:

Winnie Carruthers, after defeating a masked killer, wishes to be never born and finds herself in an alternate universe. Teaming up with an outcast, Bernie, she strives to save her town from a tyrannical mayor and the relentless killer.

It’s A Wonderful Knife Movie Review: Script Analysis

The script of It’s A Wonderful Knife skillfully treads the delicate line between horror and holiday cheer, managing to merge two seemingly disparate genres with finesse. Michael Kennedy, the screenwriter, demonstrates a keen ability to maintain a harmonious blend throughout the narrative. Despite the predictability of certain kills and the overall horror elements, Kennedy excels in infusing festive cheer into the slasher storyline. The script expertly weaves a heartwarming tale at its core, exploring the aftermath of defeating a masked killer and the protagonist’s yearning for an alternate reality. The film’s thematic exploration of loss, family dynamics, and the consequences of one’s actions adds depth to the storyline, creating a resonant emotional connection with the audience.

However, the script occasionally deviates into random elements, raising questions about its overall consistency. Introducing mystical aurora borealis mysteries and mind-control twists, while attempting to inject novelty, might contribute to the film’s overall unpredictability but could also be perceived as distracting from the central narrative. Despite these diversions, Kennedy’s skill in crafting a script that keeps the audience engaged through a unique blend of horror and holiday elements remains a notable strength of It’s A Wonderful Knife. The narrative successfully navigates a fine balance, offering both suspenseful horror moments and heartwarming holiday themes.

While the occasional diversion may hinder the script’s cohesion, Kennedy’s ability to maintain an engaging story with thematic depth contributes significantly to the film’s overall appeal. The script effectively captures the essence of the holiday season while delivering the thrills expected from a slasher, making It’s A Wonderful Knife a unique addition to the genre.

It’s A Wonderful Knife Movie Review: Star Performance

The ensemble cast in It’s A Wonderful Knife delivers a varied yet commendable performance, with each actor playing a crucial role in shaping the overall impact of the film. Notably, Justin Long‘s portrayal of Mayor Waters stands out as he demonstrates remarkable versatility, infusing eccentricity into the character through the use of teeth prosthetics and a high-pitched voice. Long skillfully navigates the delicate balance between campiness and genuine malevolence, transforming Mayor Waters into a memorable antagonist with overtly wicked aspirations. His physicality and nuanced delivery add layers, enhancing Mayor Waters’ presence on screen.

In their respective roles as Winnie and Bernie, Jane Widdop and Jess McLeod make substantial contributions to the film’s emotional depth through convincing performances. Widdop effectively communicates Winnie’s internal struggle with loss and the instinct to shield her loved ones, serving as a relatable anchor for the audience. Conversely, McLeod’s portrayal of Bernie takes center stage, combining empathy, sensitivity, and deadpan timing to create a standout performance. McLeod’s impressive range hints at the potential for more significant roles in the future.

While the primary cast excels, I acknowledges that McLeod’s performance may overshadow Widdop’s, potentially due to the more defined motives given to the supporting character. Despite this, the chemistry between the leads adds a tender and heartwarming layer to the film, even though the protagonist’s role may seem somewhat one-dimensional in comparison. Overall, the cast maximizes their roles, collectively contributing to the film’s engaging and enjoyable qualities.

It’s A Wonderful Knife Movie Review: Direction, Music

Director Tyler MacIntyre’s approach to It’s A Wonderful Knife is marked by a festive display of gore and a thoughtful blend of horror and holiday themes. MacIntyre adeptly infuses the film with a unique atmosphere that harmonizes the Christmas season with slasher elements. While praised for creating memorable moments, such as a teen make out session interrupted by a giant candy cane, the occasional deviations in the plot that may lead to a loss of focus on the initial premise. Despite these concerns, MacIntyre’s willingness to embrace the film’s dark humor and visual creativity is evident, contributing to the overall distinctiveness of the directorial vision. The film’s pace, however, is poorly-paced, potentially impacting the cohesion of the narrative.

The music in It’s A Wonderful Knife plays a vital role in complementing the film’s blend of horror and festive cheer. A successful combination of holiday-themed music with elements of suspense and horror enhances the viewing experience, maintaining the delicate balance between the two genres that the film aims to achieve. The collaborative effort between the directorial choices and musical accompaniment is crucial in creating an engaging cinematic experience that aligns with the film’s unique thematic blend.

However, the film’s occasional introduction of random elements, such as a mystical aurora borealis mystery, raises concerns about the overall cohesion of the directorial vision and its impact on the film’s pace. These factors might affect the audience’s immersion in the intended atmosphere, highlighting a potential challenge in balancing the creative elements within the overarching narrative. Despite these criticisms, both the direction and music contribute positively to the film’s atmosphere, capturing the essence of a holiday slasher with a distinctive touch.

It’s A Wonderful Knife Movie Review: The Last Word

It’s A Wonderful Knife succeeds in delivering a unique holiday slasher experience with a balance of horror and festive cheer. While it has its drawbacks, the film offers a pleasant watch for the holiday season.