Better Watch Out (2016) Revisited – Horror Movie Review

The episode of Best Horror Movie You Never Saw covering Better Watch Out was Written and Edited by Paul Bookstaber, Narrated by Kier Gomes, Produced by John Fallon and Tyler Nichols, and Executive Produced by Berge Garabedian.

Christmas movies usually bring that holiday cheer that makes us feel warm and comforting starting at the tail end of November all the way up to the 25th of December. Sitting on a couch, drinking some nice hot coco, next to your lit-up Christmas tree is a moment many of us look forward to yearly. Now let’s talk Christmas films that are etched in holiday cinema history. Sure, we have our Home Alone(s), our Grinch Stole Christmas, our Die Hard(s), even that looney, turbo-time, toy chaser, Jingle All the Way with Arnold Schwarzenegger. Sure, they’re all Christmas Staples, but what about mixing it up and popping in a psychological Christmas film of yule-tide terror? We’re not talking about Bob Clark’s OG-slasher film Black Christmas or that Christmas creature-feature show, Krampus or Gremlins. Let’s unearth a truly surprising, shocking film that crept under everyone’s radar in 2016. We’re discussing the home-invasion thriller that strays from that simple horror formula we’re all used to seeing and flips it on its head. It also captures that Christmas aesthetic feel, even when it’s caked with its macabre, high-intensity mind games of pure gloom. Today we’re discussing Better Watch Out (watch it HERE) and it may be one of the Best Horror Movies You Never Saw.

Better Watch Out remained in the shadows throughout its marketing, and to my dismay, the film did not have any trailers, one-sheets, or tv commercials prior to its launch. Director Chris Peckover doesn’t have a career of big hits to his portfolio either. He’s an unknown in the industry when it comes to well-known directors in the horror chair, so like him, this movie did not have the massive marketing budget to help it see its box office potential. I’m relieved to say that Peckover not only delivered a great Christmas horror flick, but he also directed an outstanding horror flick that is on its way to attaining cult status. Better Watch Out is a great crowd-pleaser during the holiday season for us horror fans.

Before we do a deep dive into Better Watch Out, I don’t want to give you the proverbial coal in your Christmas stocking by ruining the behemoth “WTF” moment in this movie. Reason being, it takes away from the overall mystery of what happens from point A to point B and that would be the worst Christmas gift to give to all of our Joblo viewers out there. So, if you haven’t seen this movie, the weight of these upcoming spoilers may lose the impact of your viewing experience. Take my word for it, don’t be like Ralphie from A Christmas Story, or you’ll shoot your eye out kid if you proceed.

Better Watch Out kicks off by giving us a sense of community within its tight-knit town during a chilly December night. Our main lead, Ashley is on her way to the Lerner residence to watch 12-year-old Luke while his parents go out for the night. When Ashley pulls up to the house, we are displayed with a house that Clark Griswold would cream his pants over. Luke Lerner is just a typical teenage boy with raging hormones who tries to impress Ashley before she heads off to Pittsburgh. Luke’s friend Garett knocks Levi’s chances down even more but he had the deck stacked against him from the beginning. You know, considering she’s a handful of years older than him, and is already in a relationship. This doesn’t stop our friend Luke from getting his licks in through some unwanted advances. Someone get this kid a blow-up doll please.

Throughout the night a series of awkward exchanges between Ashley and Luke become interrupted by strange encounters happening during Ashley’s stay. Outside doors are mysteriously opened, phones randomly going off, doorbells ringing, a giant spider scaring scurrying across the kitchen, Levi’s friend Garrett diving in to scare them, the list goes on. But when Ashley confronts Garrett about the prior pranks, Garrett denies any wrongdoing and says it’s not him. But what if the enemy lurking outside is actually the enemy within, and this is just a prelude to the true horrors about to be exposed? This is the greatest strength to Better Watch Out, because right when you least expect it, it smacks you, hard, in the face unveiling its true malicious nature. For once, when a movie that I thought would fall into its familiar exposition actually made me do a double-take as I was too, thrown for a loop, because the signs weren’t there. Luke is actually the bad guy. It’s a great twist for the horror genre. Tough love during Christmas is the ultimate price for Ashley, and Luke is front and center at giving it. Hell, hath no fury like a horny boy scorned. He sure would give Henry from The Good Son a good run for his money.

The film was originally intended to shoot in South Carolina but was later changed due to budgeting and flexibility. The production instead moved to Australia due to Chris Peckover’s mother being an Australian native. Also, most of the teen cast is Australian which made this even better. For a movie that was filmed in Australia, centered on Christmas in a suburban neighborhood, hit the mark in strides at replicating the environments that were used to seeing here in the US. You really got to love Hollywood movie-magic.

If you’re going to create a satisfying movie with three completely unknown actors, then you need to be damn sure that the story is interesting but the movie does just that. Better Watch Out is a genre-defying movie in the sense that it deals with mature subject matter, teen adolescence, and sadism all told through the lens of young teenagers. Both Olivia DeJonge and Levi Miller have great charisma when it comes to sharing their scenes together displaying the Ying and Yang of good vs evil. While DeJonge is great at playing her girl-next-door type and showing that sense of purity and innocence, it’s Miller who develops plenty of range for his character which is typically rare for a 12-year-old to possess.

There is something truly horrifying when knowing the boy you’ve babysat during a good chunk of your teenage life becomes that absolute diabolical sociopath who is looking to get in your pants. A person you’ve come to trust, instilling good morals and values, flips that switch and creates the ultimate psychotic plan to win you over. Word of advice to Ashley, just don’t go breaking his heart, because I’m sure he is capable of breaking a few things physically and mentally if it comes to it. I will always say, that if a villain doesn’t make you absolutely hate them with the actions they portray on screen, he or she isn’t doing their job right. However, with Luke, the kid deserves an unmerciful ass-kicking once this movie is done because he just knows how to get people’s blood-boiling. God he was a prick. But Levi Miller studied his homework and created a memorable role that deserves his place as a great horror movie heel. He can go from sweet and innocent to rage-fueled, pouty, full-blown tantrums in a matter of seconds, and it’s not even cringe-worthy, it’s spectacularly believable. It’s a sight to see, and a massive pro to the film for only Levi Miller to keep well within his grasp.

Better Watch Out also lends a great supporting cast. Ed Oxenbould who play’s Levi’s sidekick Garrett is a solid choice as he shows that teenage rebellious wiseass phase even when things go a little too far, and right off the ledge into the deep end. Then there is Levi’s mother and father played by Patrick Warburton and Virginia Madsen, who have a great comedic dynamic together especially Warburton who displays that corny, trying too-hard father who may have a little bit of a thing for Ashley or maybe that was just my opinion? Either way, it gave off some major creep vibes that only Warburton can display. Throw in one of Ashley’s boyfriends, Jeremy played by Stranger Things powerhouse Dacre Montgomery, and you have an absurdly well-rounded cast.

Christmas horror films usually focus on the embodiment of Christmas – Carolers, family making snowmen outside, Christmas music to set the mood, enjoying the decorated houses on the block, it’s all there in Better Watch Out. For a film that takes place mostly inside, just like Black Christmas in the 70’s, they both 100% feel like Christmas flicks and display a certain authenticity to them. They both have that atmosphere that displays Christmas time, while displaying that existential dread. Call it the world’s greatest oxymoron in cinema when it comes to Christmas horror, but it adds a great element that screws with the perception of the viewer and that death comes knocking around the corner even at the merriest and feel-good of days of the year. Sure, I throw on Christmas Vacation like the rest of you, but that doesn’t mean I don’t throw in a little Silent Night, Deadly Night for good measure.

Better Watch Out was released digitally on October 6thh, 2017 and largely went unnoticed, with a box-office haul of just $188,000. Pretty jaw-dropping considering how good and captivating the movie is. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has a critical reception of 89% which is a good sign that this Christmas tale of terror is the real deal if you’re willing to give it a go. It truly has some great moments that will stick with you to ponder and pick apart when that last scene rolls.

Better Watch Out is a great flick, especially a great Christmas flick to catch every holiday season. When a movie is advertised one way but goes off the rails in another, you’ve done an incredible job of keeping me invested. It plays like Funny Games meets Black Christmas, but with kids. It brings a great psychological premise because it spends time on themes of growing up, rejection, and first love, albeit a very twisted and sinister flip to those components. While it may not hold a candle to other movies like Krampus, Gremlins, and the OG Black Christmas, it still deserves a place in my top 10 Christmas horror flicks due to its depth, and overall twist. It has excellent cinematography, strong acting by its leads, a good atmosphere and set decoration, as well as some unique kills involving a paint can, a lawnmower, and a shotgun. If you’re a babysitter, do not watch this movie or you might get some anxiety during your next outing. Happy holidays to all, and to all a good fright!

A couple previous episodes of the Best Horror Movie You Never Saw series can be seen below. To see more, and to check out some of our other shows, head over to the JoBlo Horror Originals YouTube channel – and subscribe while you’re there!