Better Watch Out

The home invasion horror film genre receives a dash of holiday color in this film starring Levi Miller as 12-year-old Luke, who has a crush on his 17-year-old babysitter Ashley (Olivia DeJonge). Luke gets a chance to play hero when the house comes under attack from mysterious masked stalkers—or so it seems until the first twist reveals that there is something more insidious underway. The story unfolds in and around a cheery suburban home that is decked out in colored lights and Christmas decorations, which filmmaker Chris Peckover uses for counterpoint to the increasingly brutal and sadistic games played by the nihilistic mastermind behind the entire scheme. This plays out with the bouncy energy of a jazzy caper film and a dark sense of humor that is more unsettling than funny, which certainly sets it apart from the usual psycho-killer horror flick but doesn't offer anything more than a clever genre mash-up for its own sake, one with a disappointing finale. Genre fans may appreciate the unconventional take on a familiar theme, but this is not likely to become a Christmas classic. Optional. (S. Axmaker)