In the dark and cold of December there’s no better way to pass the time than cosying up on the sofa with a good film. There’s no shortage of red and green clad festive favourites full of glitter and glamour, but if the full on holly jolly experience isn’t for you, here are ten ‘festive’ alternatives. Some light spoilers ahead.
10. Bell, Book and Candle (1958)
First up is a personal favourite of mine, the criminally underrated Bell, Book and Candle. If you’re a fan of James Stewart but looking for something a little more lighthearted than It’s a Wonderful Life, look no further. Starring Kim Novak as a bored witch who casts a love spell on Stewart, this film is a campy romp of magic and mayhem. Highlights include the beautiful siamese cat Pyewacket, Jack Lemmon and Elsa Lanchester as troublesome witches, a fun jazz score by George Duning, and Novak’s hypnotic eyebrows—literally.
9. While You Were Sleeping (1995)
Continuing the theme of questionable romantic pursuits, next up we have While You Were Sleeping. Sandra Bullock plays a lonely orphan who rescues her workplace crush (Peter Gallagher) from an oncoming train, is assumed to be his fiance while he lies in a coma, and goes with it. Shenanigans ensue as Bullock is welcomed into the arms of her comatose fiance’s’ loving family and falls in love with his brother (Bill Pullman). Bullock is as endearing as ever, as are the lovable Callaghan family, and despite its cheesy plot, there’s a lot of charm to be found in its delivery.
8. Little Women (1994)
The heartwarming book by Louisa May Alcott has been adapted for film seven times now so there is no shortage of choice. While Greta Gerwig’s 2019 is the most recent and highly lauded, the 1994 version by Gillian Armstrong is a timelessly iconic adaptation with an all star cast. In this version the tight-knit March family consists of Trini Alvarado (Meg), Winona Ryder (Jo), Claire Danes (Beth), Kirsten Dunst (Amy), and Susan Sarandon (Marmee), with Christian Bale as Laurie. Though not entirely set during Christmas, the film is one of those ‘thaw your heart on a cold day’-type films that pairs perfectly with a hot chocolate and a blanket.
7. Carol (2015)
Back to the romance category, next we have Carol, Todd Haynes’ Christmassy lesbian masterpiece. Starring Cate Blanchett as a beautiful married woman and Rooney Mara as a person with eyes, Carol is a glamorous period piece reminiscent of Brief Encounter but with a modern edge. Set in the 1950s, Carol is a tale of forbidden romance and cute fashion that thankfully breaks queer film tropes by putting more focus on the romance than the forbidden. Even if you’re not in it for the illicit love affair, the beautiful set dressing, costumes, and cars should be enough to keep you captivated.
6. The Green Knight (2021)
If romance isn’t quite what you’re after, but you’re not entirely against it, then The Green Knight is the film for you. Based on a 14th century Arthurian poem, The Green Knight is a stunning fantasy epic about a festive Christmas beheading game (we’ve all played it). Challenged by the Green Knight (Ralph Ineson) to cast a blow upon him and receive it back the next year, King Arthur’s (Sean Harris) eager nephew Gawain (Dev Patel) steps up and beheads him. Embarking on his journey to face the Green Knight one year later he is challenged along the way on his virtues, and fails every test. Filmed in some breathtaking locations in Ireland, The Green Knight is the perfect film if you want to watch something truly beautiful and a little strange.
5. Tangerine (2015)
Another perilous adventure piece of sorts, Tangerine is gritty, funny, and rooted firmly in the real world. Directed by Sean Baker, whose catalogue consists of brightly coloured films about typically underrepresented characters and subcultures, Tangerine follows two trans sex workers (Mya Taylor and Kitana Kiki Rodriguez) as they spend their Christmas Eve searching for a cheating boyfriend/pimp. Famously shot on a set of iPhones, Tangerine is a highly stylised and chaotic piece that finds tenderness in its quieter moments and is a lot of fun to watch.
4. The Hunt (2012)
Despite being set during Christmas, this Danish psychological drama from Thomas Vinterberg is a heavy one so proceed with caution. The Hunt stars Mads Mikkelsen as Lucas, a kindergarten teacher who is wrongly accused of sexually assaulting his best friend’s daughter. Set in a small village where everyone knows everyone and gossip spreads like wildfire, the film is a claustrophobic nightmare as Lucas’ world is turned upside down and mass hysteria runs riot. Stars Mikkelsen and Thomas Bo Larsen give heartbreaking performances as the conflicted friends amid the destructive power of rumour. A true festive classic.
3. Lethal Weapon (1987)
Often pitted against Die Hard for its similarities, Lethal Weapon is another late 80s cop action-comedy set in LA during Christmas, but one with a lot of jazz. It opens with a jolly rendition of ‘Jingle Bell Rock’ and a not-so-jolly fall from a very tall building, and ends with a fairy light-lit mud fight in the rain. This quintessential buddy-cop flick is a heartwarming tale of friendship, starring Mel Gibson and Danny Glover as the mismatched partners with support from Gary Busey and horror legend Tom Atkins. The film deals heavily with suicidal ideation, but rest assured there’s a lot of fun to be had.
2. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)
Another entry from Shane Black, the creator of the Lethal Weapon franchise, this neo-noir black comedy is equal parts dark and silly. Pairing Robert Downey Jr and Val Kilmer as a petty thief and private detective respectively, Kiss Kiss is a silly caper full of mishaps which help dampen the darker aspects of its gritty plot. Kiss Kiss also stars Michelle Monaghan as more of an endearing girl-next-door type than a femme fatale, adding a welcome level of warmth. Viewers suffering from Marvel fatigue might find its humorous undercutting of the drama somewhat tedious, however it boasts a hilarious performance from Kilmer and great chemistry between the three leads that is more than enough to tide even the most jaded viewer through.
1. In Bruges (2008)
Filmed on location in the fairytale city of Bruges, this legendary Martin McDonagh dark comedy follows two Irish hitmen as they face exile in Belgium after a hit gone horribly wrong. While Ken (Brendan Gleeson) is a history buff who appreciates what Bruges has to offer, Ray (Colin Farrell) is bored, depressed, and can’t think of anywhere worse to be. Despite Ken’s attempts to lay low and enjoy the peaceful scenery, their exile descends further into chaos, ending in a tense chase sequence with their boss Harry (Ralph Fiennes). Serving as a somewhat contradictory tourism ad for the Belgian city, In Bruges is a beautifully shot crime thriller which features a host of awful people doing awful things in a gorgeous city.
Words by Camille Murray
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