Watch All the Creatures Were Stirring

All the Creatures Were Stirring is a 2018 anthology horror film made up of five interconnected Christmas-themed stories, directed by David Ian McKendry and Rebekah McKendry. The film is set on Christmas Eve, when an office party is winding down for the night. Two co-workers, Max (Jonathan Kite) and Jenna (Jocelin Donahue), head to the theater to catch a late-night showing of A Christmas Carol, only to find it's actually a bizarre and sinister stage show. As they watch, five tales of terror unfold, each with its own unique spin on holiday cheer.

The first story, titled "The Stockings Were Hung," centers around the practice of secret Santa gift-giving. As a group of coworkers exchange gifts, they start to realize that the presents they're receiving aren't exactly what they expected. This segment is a twisted take on the spirit of giving, with a surprise ending that will leave viewers shocked.

The second story, "Dash Away All," is a dark spin on the classic poem "The Night Before Christmas." A couple on their way home to spend the holidays with family gets stranded in the middle of nowhere when their car breaks down. As they wait for help to arrive, they start to realize they're not alone in the snowy woods. This segment is highly suspenseful, building to a disturbing climax.

The third story, "All Through the House," features a group of friends holding a Christmas seance to contact their deceased loved ones. Things quickly take a turn for the worst when they realize they may have contacted something far more sinister. This segment is a classic ghost story, bringing some genuine scares to the table.

The fourth story, "Arose Such a Clatter," is a bizarre mix of sci-fi and horror. An office party is interrupted by a group of aliens who force the employees to participate in a twisted game of Secret Santa. This segment brings some much-needed levity to the film, with a clear tribute to sci-fi classics like The Twilight Zone and The Outer Limits.

The final story, "In a Twinkling," is a chilling tale of an encounter with the Krampus, the sinister demon of Christmas folklore. As a couple leaves a holiday party, they stumble upon a strange and terrifying creature lurking in the streets. This segment is the most visually effective, with solid creature design and a well-executed mix of practical and digital effects.

Throughout the film, Max and Jenna return to the theater between stories, attempting to make sense of the strange and disturbing plays they've witnessed. As the night wears on, Max starts to question his own reality, leading to a creepy and unsettling finale that ties everything together.

All the Creatures Were Stirring is an enjoyable holiday horror flick. While not all of the segments are equally strong, each one brings a unique perspective to the theme of Christmas terror. The wrap-around story featuring Max and Jenna is well-executed and ties everything together nicely, creating a sense of cohesion that some anthology films lack. Overall, this is a solid entry into the Christmas horror canon, sure to please fans of the genre.

All the Creatures Were Stirring is a 2018 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 20 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.0.