Movie Review: Ugly Sweater Party (2018)

Pals Jody (Hunter Johnson) and Cliff (Charles Chudabala) are wicked excited to attend a Christmas party at a secluded cabin thrown by some hot n’ horny twins. Finding out at the 11th hour that the affair is one of those ugly sweater get-togethers, our dashing duo buy a sweater from a homeless man…but there’ s a catch; a decade previous murderer and Satanist Declan Rains (Sean Whalen) was beaten to death by John Q. Law while wearing the garment and he has vowed to return from the grave one day. Making matters worse, the camp that the event is being held at turns out to be a Bible camp and those aforementioned twins are now devout holy rollers. To add to all of that, ol’ Cliff becomes possessed by that sinister sweater and goes on a murder spree!
With a premise like the one described above you probably think Ugly Sweater Party is going to be one hell of an off-kilter time in the horror biz; and let me tell ya pal o’ mine you are 100% correct (give yourself a gold star, just turn it upside down so it looks all evil n’ shit)! Writer/Director Aaron Mento has delivered a horror comedy where the blood flows (courtesy of some sweet practical effects), the jokes are more hit than miss, and best of all; it takes the time worn ‘cabin in the woods’ trope and adds some fun twists. Adding to this ha-ha horror are some incredibly game performances; not only from stars Johnson and Chudabala who are fearless in the “not afraid to look completely stupid” department, but also from seasoned genre vets such as the previously mentioned Whalen and Sleepaway Camp‘s Felissa Rose (a.k.a. one of fright flick’s true sweethearts).
In the negative column, this is a low budget affair so don’t expect it to be all shiny and perfect…although why you would is beyond me, ‘cuz you know ’round these parts we love our horror big on heart and concept and fuck most everything else…and on those two points this flick delivers!
If you’re looking for gore and guffaws in equal measure, or your parts just get tingly for haunted clothing, Ugly Sweater Party will be one putrid picture you’ll want to slap your eerie eyeballs on right away!