The 2021 French horror film, The Advent Calendar (Le Calendrier), is refreshingly inventive. It is also a morally complex addition to the holiday horror subgenre. Written and directed by Patrick Ridremont, the film masterfully blends the classic “be careful what you wish for” trope with a distinctive atmosphere. It introduces a genuinely sympathetic protagonist. The film delivers a captivating and stylish cinematic experience.
Plot: A Countdown to Consequences
The story centers on Eva (Eugénie Derouand). She is a former classical dancer. She is now a paraplegic after a devastating car accident. Eva is struggling with a dead-end job. She has an estranged, ailing father. She is also dealing with the crushing loss of her mobility. As the holiday season begins, Eva is in a dark place. Her well-meaning, if somewhat irresponsible, friend Sophie gifts her an antique, ornate German Advent calendar.
This calendar is no ordinary treat dispenser. It comes with a strict set of rules: if Eva eats the first candy, she must eat all 24, respect the rules until the end, and never try to dispose of the calendar, or else an entity known as “Ich” will kill her.
Initially, the calendar’s gifts are a blessing. Small chocolates grant her wishes. They bring back a moment of lucidity to her father. They lead her to meet a kind potential romantic interest. But as the days count down, the calendar’s demands escalate. It grants larger miracles, including the return of her ability to walk. These miracles come at the cost of increasingly dark and gruesome sacrifices. Eva is forced into a harrowing moral dilemma: continue opening the doors to achieve her deepest desire and save herself, or stop and face the deadly consequences while losing the miraculous progress she’s made.
A Stylish and Thematic Success
One of the film’s most commendable aspects is its unique premise and visual execution. The antique wooden calendar itself is a marvel of design—intricate, unsettling, and perfectly suited as a macabre source of terror. Director Ridremont crafts a beautiful, dark fairytale aesthetic, utilizing rich, deep colors and atmospheric lighting that perfectly capture a spooky holiday mood. The film balances its suspenseful, slow-burn tension with moments of genuine gore and inventive set-pieces, creating a truly unpredictable ride.
Beyond the thrills, the movie introduces powerful and meaningful themes. It explores issues of ableism, empowerment, and the high cost of wish fulfillment. Eva is presented as a complex character dealing with trauma, navigating a world that often treats her as “lesser.” Her desperate temptation to use the calendar’s power is deeply understandable, adding layers of emotional depth to her descent. Eugénie Derouand delivers a forceful and compelling performance as Eva. She carries the film with subtle strength. Her moral struggle is palpable.
A Must-Watch Holiday Horror
The Advent Calendar is a highly effective, thought-provoking horror film that manages to feel both classic in its structure (reminiscent of stories like The Monkey’s Paw) and original in its execution. It provides a clever, scary, and ultimately poignant exploration of desire, consequence, and personal choice. For horror fans seeking an atmospheric, unique, and well-acted movie that offers more than just jump scares this holiday season, this French gem is an absolute must-watch.
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