PopHorror Let's Get Scared
Here at PopHorror, we are huge fans of Yuletide terror. From ’80s classics like Silent Night Deadly Night, guilty pleasures like Santa’s Slay and Jack Frost, and modern indie films like Stirring and All Through The House, it’s something that even the biggest Scrooges in our writing staff can’t help but get into. I’ve been seeing a poster floating around Facebook the past few months for an apocalyptic Christmas horror film called I’m Dreaming Of A White Doomsday, and I knew it was something I had to see for myself, especially with the strong word of mouth buzz surrounding the film. I reached out to the film’s writer/director, Mike Lombardo, and he sent me a screener to check out. Read on for my thoughts on I’m Dreaming Of A White Doomsday.
I’m Dreaming Of A White Doomsday was written and directed by Mike Lombardo (The Stall 2013, Long Pig 2012) in his feature film debut, and was executive produced by horror novelist Brian Keene. The film stars Hope Bikle (Mama’s Boy 2018), Damian Maffei (The Strangers: Prey at Night 2018) and newcomers Reeve Blazi, Holly Andrew and Shannon Moyer.
The film’s synopsis:
From Writer/Director Mike Lombardo and Executive Producer Brian Keene (Horror Grandmaster Award winning author of The Rising, City of the Dead, and Ghoul) comes the disturbing tale of Kelly and her son, Riley, weathering the end times in a bomb shelter amongst the ruin that was once the world. With Christmas Eve approaching, and supplies and hope steadily declining, Kelly must make a horrifying decision that will cause her to find out just how far she would go for her child and what lurks outside the safety of their underground home.
As a Christmas horror film, I’m Dreaming Of A White Doomsday is definitely unique. Spending little time on violence or gore, the film is steeped in oppressive mood, the crumbling mental state of its protagonist and the loss of innocence. From the opening minutes, I’m Dreaming Of A White Doomsday had me under its spell. The film follows Kelly and her young son, Riley, as they struggle in a post-apocalyptic world. Kelly is struggling to hold things together after the recent disappearance of her husband and wants to keep up appearances of normalcy for the sake of her son, but the worse things get, the more her facade starts crack. Riley is your typical kid, quick to remain hopeful in spite of the inherent bleakness of his situation. He still plays with his toys and shows an active imagination and innocence that’s rarely seen in those who who have been dealt his lot.
The cast does a great job all around. Hope Bikle is wonderful as a mother who is trying her best to hold onto a normal life, more for her kids sake than her own. As much as she struggles, she is fighting a losing battle. It’s only a matter of time. It was a pleasure to see Damian Maffei (best known as The Man in the Mask in The Strangers: Prey at Night) showing some range as Simon, Kelly’s husband and Riley’s father. He does what he can to provide as safe of an environment for his family. The loss of his character was a sure sign of the family’s worsening situation. Last but not least, Reeve Blazi does a good job showing such a wide range of emotions for a kid his age, and was able to portray them realistically without becoming grating like most children in horror films.
The final act of the film is a rough watch. The mood steadily becomes more and more hopeless as time goes on, and it was honestly heartbreaking to see characters do such horrible things to try and fix their situation, when deep down, they knew it was all in vain. The ending goes off the rails a little bit, working as a metaphor for the stresses of growing up that leads to the quick and brutal death of innocence, but despite the batshit craziness of it all it, the film manages to be emotionally resonant.
Final Thoughts
In the crowded field of holiday horror, I’m Dreaming Of A White Doomsday is a unique addition. The film is low on gore yet heavy on mood, is psychologically gripping and is sure to tear your heart out with its bleak as hell ending. I’m not the only one who enjoyed it – the film has won awards at this year’s GenreBlast Film Festival, Crimson Screen Horror Film Fest and Nightmares Film Festival. If you want something dark as a counterpoint to all the holiday cheer, I highly recommend you check out I’m Dreaming Of A White Doomsday. Be sure to pick up your copy here or at the Amazon link below.
