By Amy Watkins
Inspired by the Blue Whale Challenge—a social media game in which participants completed numerous dangerous tasks—Advent is unlike any Christmas tale you’ve seen before. A gripping Mockumentary, Advent takes an already disturbing premise and weaves it into a supernatural plot that adds new twists to urban myths. The countdown to Christmas has never been so terrifying.
Directed by Airell Anthony Hayles, Advent follows Hayley (Rasina Alexander), a YouTuber who buys a Krampus advent calendar to debunk the urban myths surrounding its origin. Promising a game with the devil, each door includes a daring challenge that must be completed within 24 hours. But what starts as a thrill-seeking experiment soon descends into darkness as the challenges intensify, causing Hayley’s sense of reality to unravel.
Using a mockumentary style for the film was an interesting choice, but it surprisingly works. Traditional to mocumentaries, the film alternates between an interview with Hayley’s folklore professor Richard Hill (Nicholas Vince), and Hayley’s YouTube documentation of the events. But what’s most interesting is that the setting for Hill’s interview – framed by candlelight and a warm backdrop – almost emulates the intimate narration of classic holiday tales like A Christmas Carol, albeit with a far darker twist. It’s an unconventional choice that pays off; the nostalgia brings a strange comfort to an otherwise unsettling story, drawing us in before subverting expectations.
On the surface, Advent delivers a chilling supernatural horror. Yet beneath that, Hayles uses it as a lens to examine the darker side of social media culture. The film serves as a commentary on how young people are drawn to dangerous trends for the sake of likes, views, and social media attention; something Hill specifically points out about Hayley. Combine that with the escalating intensity of the challenges and the unravelling of Hayley’s psyche, and you’ve got a thought-provoking exploration of the lengths to which people will go to seek validation in a digital world.
The film features a strong cast, especially Rasina Alexander as Hayley, who skillfully portrays Hayley’s multifaceted nature, balancing her YouTube persona’s confidence with the vulnerability that surfaces as the challenges become increasingly sinister. Alongside her, Nicholas Vince shines as Hill, adding depth to the narrative with his insightful commentary and a captivating presence that anchors the film’s more surreal elements.
Not your typical Christmas tale, Hayles has successfully crafted a thought-provoking narrative that not only thrills but also prompts reflection on the societal pressures surrounding social media. Advent is a bold blend of horror, mockumentary, and social critique—just the thing for viewers seeking a fresh, haunting twist on Christmas.
Advent had its World Premiere at FrightFest Halloween 2024 and arrives on UK digital 25 November (iTunes, Amazon, Google Play)
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