Produced by Celine Rattray, Trudie Styler, Matthew Vaughn
Written by and Directed by Camille Griffin
Starring Keira Knightley, Matthew Goode,
Roman Griffin Davis, Annabelle Wallis, Lily-Rose Depp,
Sope Dirisu, Kirby Howell-Baptiste,
Lucy Punch, Rufus Jones
Set at a picturesque English country estate, Silent Night assembles a group of former university friends to spend Christmas eve together before a giant toxic cloud is set to destroy mankind the following morning.
Joined by their respective families and significant others, the film slowly reveals how time has altered the many relationships between one another, while quietly acknowledging that much of what they still have in common is that they were the best of friends two decades prior.
The anchor of the film is young Art (played by Roman Griffin Davis, best known for his role as the title character in Jojo Rabbit), the son of the holiday hosts Nell (Keira Knightley) and Simon (Matthew Goode).
Art is skeptical of the impending doom, indigent of the adults who are responsible, jaded by the notion of celebrating the holiday, and angry at the government for not taking care of its citizens (homeless and undocumented immigrants are left to die painfully as opposed to receiving a poisonous capsule that will provide a quick death).
As the evening goes on, the old friends share stories, secrets, and cement that friends are often the family that one chooses.
Extras include deleted and alternate scenes and an alternate ending.
Performances from the ensemble are strong across the board with nice supporting roles from Lucy Punch, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, Annabelle Wallis, Lily-Rose Depp, and Sope Dirisu. First time writer/director Camille Griffin (mother of star Roman) has crafted a dark, emotionally ambitious story that takes a fairly ludicrous premise and examines it with honesty, and ultimately, a bit of terror.
Emotionally draining, Silent Night‘s final moments reveal a celebratory slap in the face to the audience, making it a film you won’t likely forget.
