Horror fans are currently in the middle of a second slasher renaissance with franchises likeHalloween,Scream, andTexas Chainsaw Massacremaking their bloody return in recent years. This has caused new genre enthusiasts to go black to the classic slashers of the 70s and 80s that turned horror into the haunted household moneymaker it is today. However, one slasher that never got a proper sequel and is often wrongly forgotten by general audiences is 1974’sBlack Christmasdirected byBob Clark. Yes, the same Bob Clark who would go on to direct another holiday classicA Christmas Story. However, for the horror community, this claustrophobic cold nightmare starringOlivia Husseyas Jesse Bradford is the director’s definitive Christmas story.
Now, almost 50 years after the original festive murder spree, it has been announced that Hussey will be reprising her final girl role as Jess in the fan film sequelIt’s Me, Billy: Chapter 2. The film will once again be directed byDave McRaeandBruce Dale. In a statement released this week, the pair of filmmakers said:
“It’s Me, Billywas always designed to be the first part of a two-part story, hence the cliffhanger ending. It was always our hope that we’d get a chance to complete our vision and bring this story to a conclusion. Now is that time. We are excited to invite horror fans from around the world to help us complete the final step of our journey, one that will continue to pay honor and respect to the incredible legacy of the originalBlack Christmasand everyone involved in the making of that film.”
The original fan film followed Jess’ Granddaughter Sam who gets entangled in the killer “Billy’s” dreadful return. Jess is presumed dead throughout the film, but the previously mentioned cliffhanger revealed that Jess was alive and had been captured by Billy. We never see Hussey in the first fan sequel, but this got fans clamoring for the actress' return.It’s Me, Billywas the best thing to happen toBlack Christmasin five decades and the filmmakers did a great job recapturing the cold-blooded magic of the original slasher.
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The Legacy ofBlack Christmas
While films likeHalloween,Friday the 13th, andA Nightmare on Elm Streetare more fondly remembered in the slasher space,Black Christmaspredates all those filmsby a good number of years. When Billy was introduced in 1974, there was nothing like their creatively shot atmospheric hellscape. We can talk about Clark’s cold to the touch direction, the literal chilling sorority setting, the warm Christmas color palette, and the film’s surprisingly great sense of humor, but whyBlack Christmasstands the test of time is because of the dark relevant themes tied to Jess’ character.
This slasher bravely tackled abortion in such a nuanced way in a time when just mentioning the topic was unheard of. Films today wouldn’t even dare tackle it in the same tragic manner. This is what makes Jess standout from every other final girl and the way Hussey played her was so brilliant with a calming subtlety that will both warm and break your heart. Characters like Laurie Strode and Sidney Prescott are better known in the horror community, but Jess is the most underrated final girl thanks to Hussey. AfterBlack Christmasshe would continue her horror journey in films likeITandPsycho IV: The Beginning, butBlack Christmasis the rare slasher from this iconic era that never got an official sequel. That’s what makes Hussey’s return so exciting.
Where Can You StreamBlack Christmas?
While there have been two remakes of this slasher, one that’s underrated and one that’sbest left in a sorority house attic, the originalBlack Christmascan be streamed on Shudder. The film also came to stunning 4K for the first time thanks toScream Factorythis past December. If you’re a physical media nut, this edition is a must-own.
It’s Me, Billy: Chapter 2is set to start shooting sometime this winter and will be released in 2024 for Black Christmas’ 50th anniversary. It will be available online for free just likeChapter 1. Along with Hussey, this fan made sequel will see the return ofVictoria Meroas Sam,Caro Coltmanas Agnes, andBryan Charles Peteras Billy. Also,Lynne Griffinwho played Claire in the original will be returning as the character’s sister Nancy. WhileBlack Christmasfans anxiously wait for this killer reunion, you’re able to contribute to the film’s campaignhereand watch the original classic’s trailer down below.
