‘Advent’ FrightFest Halloween 2024 Review: A Gripping Found Footage Christmas Horror
After thrilling viewers with Werewolf Santa at FrightFest last year, writer and director Airell Anthony Hayles returned to FrightFest Halloween 2024 his latest film, Advent. Rasina Alexander stars in the film as Hayley, a paranormal podcaster who becomes obsessed with an object known as a Krampus Calendar, which she believes it holds supernatural powers. Hayley is slowly driven insane as she finds herself being controlled by the sinister calendar, and her friend and co-host Charlie (Cian Lorcan), is unnerved by the dark forces which seem to be manipulating Hayley.
Advent is presented almost entirely through the perspective of Hayley’s podcast. That means most of the film consists of podcast clips, making this a found footage film of sorts. If you[re tired of found footage films by this point, you’ll no doubt find this frustrating, especially since many sequences were far too dark to even be able to see what was going on. Advent is certainly not a visually impressive film, which will frustrate some viewers.
However, the found footage style does mean we’re treated to long, uninterrupted shots of the actors performing. So, at least these shots are worthy of praise. And anyone expecting a gorefest will be sorely disappointed, as the occasional violent sequences are completely bloodless. But with the brisk runtime of just 77 minutes also means that you don’t have too long to be frustrated by the found footage style.
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Rasina Alexander convincingly depicts Hayley’s downward spiral into madness after discovering the Krampus Calendar, especially as she becomes more unhinged as the film progresses. Hayley is initially presented as a pleasant young woman fascinated by the macabre. But she gradually becomes more withdrawn and solemn, to the point where she even starts to seem like someone experiencing a mental health crisis. Alexander perfectly manages to capture Hayley’s transformation from a curious podcaster into someone who is overwhelmed by a sinister force. Towards the end, Hayley seems like an entirely different person, with Alexander’s performance being one of the highlights of the film.
At some points, you also have to wonder if the supernatural elements in Advent were indeed real, or if they were simply in Hayley’s imagination. Despite being mentioned regularly, the actual Krampus doesn’t explicitly appear except for in brief illustrations that serve as bridging segments between scenes. This lack of explicitly supernatural elements on-screen leaves you questioning if Hayley really was overwhelmed by a supernatural force, or if she was simply struggling with her mental health. It’s up to the viewer to work this out.
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Cian Lorcan is also impressive as Charlie, Hayley’s socially awkward friend with no real interest in the paranormal. But he still appears on her podcast because he presumably has no other friends. Charlie is clearly unnerved by the effect the calendar has on Hayley while also doubting its supernatural origins. Lorcan captures both the skeptical and concerned aspects of Charlie’s personality in a way which helped to make the character seem like a worthwhile friend to have. Especially since Charlie refuses to leave Hayley’s side as her state continues to worsen.
It goes without saying that Nicholas Vince completely stole the show as Richard Hill, a professor of the paranormal. Horror fans know that Vince played the Chatterer Cenobite in the first two Hellraiser films, and he delivers a spectacular performance as a charismatic academic in Advent. Delivering his lines with an abundance of flair and vigor, Vince completely draws viewers in as he recounts the tale of Hayley and the history behind the Krampus Calendar.
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Hill’s unyielding passion for the paranormal is present in almost every line he delivered, and his fascination seems to border on the realm of obsession at times. Clearly relishing his character’s love for that which cannot be explained, Vince makes Hill an oddly compelling story narrator. The actor’s performance is so engaging that you completely forget that almost all of his scenes were shot in a single location from one angle. Instead of relying on fancy camera tricks, Hayles simply allows Vince to act to the best of his abilities.
Cory Peterson also delivers a strong performance as Joe, Hayley’s perpetually drunk father, and Teen Wolf star Mark Arnold makes a memorable appearance as the original owner of the Krampus Calendar. The actors involved all played their roles to the best of their abilities, helping to elevate Advent beyond its crude visual presentation.
Although it will certainly not earn any awards for its cinematography, the central performances in Advent will keep viewers captivated until the end credits roll. If you’re fine with watching something which presents itself as a vlog instead of utilizing a more traditional cinematic approach, then Advent will prove to be satisfying for what it is.
Summary
Regardless of its dull visual presentation, the strong performances in Advent helped to elevate it into something memorable.
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