Watch Silent Night, Deadly Night 4: Initiation

Silent Night, Deadly Night 4: Initiation is a 1990 horror film that represents a pivot away from the killer Santa Claus theme of the previous three films in the Silent Night, Deadly Night series. Instead, this installment, directed by Brian Yuzna and written by Woody Keith and Arthur Gorson, takes a different path, exploring themes of cults, witchcraft, and pagan rituals. The movie bridges body horror with psychological suspense, diverging into a more surreal territory than its slasher predecessors.

The film stars Neith Hunter as Kim Levitt, a tenacious reporter working for the Los Angeles Eye. Eager to assert herself and make her mark in the male-dominated world of journalism, Kim finds herself following a strange case that seems like a perfect opportunity to prove her worth. As the movie opens, she is investigating the mysterious death of a woman who seemingly fell from the roof of a building in what appears to be an accident or a suicide. But as Kim delves deeper into the case, she finds that there is much more to the story than meets the eye.

Joining Kim in this unsettling journey is Clint Howard, who plays Ricky, a peculiar character who seems to have some insight into the dark secrets that Kim is desperate to uncover. Ricky's strange demeanor and cryptic utterances suggest that he's privy to the hidden world that Kim is only just beginning to discover. Over the course of the film, their paths intertwine in unexpected and disturbing ways.

Tommy Hinkley portrays Kim's co-worker and potential love interest, Hank. As an “everyman” figure, Hank provides a grounding counterpoint to the bizarre occurrences that gradually become the norm within the narrative. On the fringes of the central plot is Hugh Fink, contributing to the story's unnerving tone in a role that helps flesh out the world of Silent Night, Deadly Night 4: Initiation.

The holiday season is more than mere backdrop; it's a time of rituals and gatherings that serves as a stark contrast to the film's darker undercurrents. As the movie's title implies, the concept of initiation is core to the plot. The narrative weaves its thread through issues of feminism and autonomy, as Kim struggles against the expectations faced by women in her profession, as well as more esoteric, cult-like factors that come into play. A coven of witches, led by the enigmatic and powerful Fima, becomes central to the story's development. Fima, a character who both fascinates and terrifies, introduces a sinister element of intrigue and manipulation.

From its outset, Initiation pivots away from the more straightforward slasher formula, engaging with the occult, and the body horror genre. Practical effects and grotesque visuals reminiscent of Yuzna's previous work, such as Society and Bride of Re-Animator, emphasize the body as a site of horror, bringing a visceral dimension to Kim's journey of self-discovery and confrontation with the supernatural forces around her. The movie's descent into the macabre is punctuated by moments of shocking imagery and unsettling transformations that challenge both the protagonist and the viewer.

As Kim uncovers the tangled web of patriarchal dominance, mysterious cults, and strange rituals, the lines between reality and the supernatural blur. The movie's pacing allows the viewer to be drawn in gradually, accompanying Kim as she peels away layers of the mystery, with each revelation leading her into increasingly perilous situations. The film doesn't hesitate to dive headlong into bizarre territory, mixing physical horror with psychological thrills, creating a sense of unease that persists throughout.

Silent Night, Deadly Night 4: Initiation stands apart from the initial film of the franchise with its focus on the occult rather than the exploits of a killer Santa Claus, exemplifying a distinctive 1990s horror aesthetic. The film's ability to intertwine Christmas thematics with a story about cult indoctrination and empowerment results in a unique cinematic experience—one that straddles the line between horror and dark fantasy.

Though the film may not have gained the notoriety or cult following of other 90s horror classics, it remains an ambitious and offbeat entry in the annals of horror cinema. For fans of the unusual and the occult or those intrigued by the narrative metamorphosis of a horror franchise, Silent Night, Deadly Night 4: Initiation offers an alternative look at seasonal terror and the initiation into darkness that can come without a hint of sleigh bells or mistletoe.

Silent Night, Deadly Night 4: Initiation is a 1990 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 26 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 3.9.