Adult Swim Yule Log

Certainly unique, it introduces a whole 'nother level to "WTF." It may be one of the most unpredictable movies I've seen recently.

I agree with many reviewers. It's certainly best going in head-first with the least amount of information. That being said, I'll do my best to describe it without giving too much away.

Whoever wrote this, obviously intended to do something abstract, unique, and viral. In short, they succeeded, so kudos are due. There are a lot of horror movies like this, but there's also nothing like this. Check my rating history. I've seen a lot, a LOT of horror movies, and I ain't ever seen anything like this.

That being said, there are too many cooks. There are just too many cooks, and too many logs. I ain't ever seen so many logs and cooks in one sitting I might just be going crazy from so many logs, and so many cooks, it's an advent calendar of logs, cooks, that I cook, log, logged, I can't, log, fire, don't light the log, so many cooks, what is happening, fire, burn, log, cooks, too, many, I, AAAAuUUUGHHHH!!...

When advertisements for the Adult Swim Yule Log aired, they showcased the familiar features of a Yule Log video-- cracking wood, soothing tonal muzak, and the warmth of a simulated fire. And, indeed, for the first few minutes of the production that is what we get. But then, well, things happen.

The camera pans out and we are introduced to Ben, a part-time ad guy and aspiring YouTube Yule Log content creator, and Zoe, a career environmentalist burdened by her familial past and an event that has thrown her into an existential crisis. They intended to have romantic getaway at a rustic cabin in the woods but their plans are thrown awry, by a series of strange encounters. An ever-present threat lingers in the background as curious events connect characters, the past, present, and future, the house, the fireplace, and even the titular Yule Log.

Overall, it is definitely worth a watch, and, if you know your audience, sharing it is a great experience. It is a psychedelic straight-faced comedy that is not afraid of exploring the ordinary horror that we call history or the extraordinary horror of the unknown, unknowable, and absurd. There are some rather interesting visual effects and the production is not afraid to lean into or away from its initial framing device.

Ben and Zoe are well written characters and the actors pull their weight. Unlike Netflix shows where interracial couples are used as unexplored props or vehicles for Silicon Valley ideology, the script and the performers are conscious of the identity dynamics in play, which are handled thoughtfully without dominating the production.

Thematically, it is cohesive. More parts could have found their way to the cutting room floor, others needed fleshing out, but the Aesop is clearly communicated: Our existence is already unlikely, our continued existence is always eventually impossible, and strange even absurd things happen-- that's life. Rather than wish it were otherwise, we should fight for it.

What starts off as a seemingly unominous yule log broadcast...quickly takes a dark turn, when a family of backwoods hillbillies con their way into a rental cabin in the woods, and kill the cleaning lady.

Before the culprits can leave, the couple renting the cabin return...just as the police show up to inform them of a recently discovered murder victim in the area.

Turns out, the guy cut a limb off a demonic hanging tree, in order to shoot his own yule log video...inevitably setting this whole series of events into motion, having angered the dead, and initiated it's curse.

Little do they suspect, however, that a pair of murderers are hiding in the room next door...with the body of their dead cleaning lady.

Hoping to capture the moment he proposes for posterity...the man leaves the camera running.

Unbeknownst of the dark fate that lies in store for them both.

As they discuss their future, flashbacks, to past moments in the house, cycle across the screen.

Up until they are interrupted by another group of double booked renters in what seems like a deja vu moment (if you've happened to watch Barbarian).

Turns out this is a bit of an homage, though...as this same scene also references the Ti West/Mia Goth collaboration X, as well.

Some super clever stuff.

Which immediately puts you on the lookout for more horror movie references spun in as subtle little stocking stuffers, to go with this completely unexpected present of a film.

Turns out that these new tenants are true crime podcasters, and offer us a window into the background lore of the house and surrounding area...providing context to these aforementioned interjections from the past, as they go.

The first act is shot entirely from the stationary camera the man had set up.

While the second act follows a more traditional cinematic path.

As a dark entity is awakened, in the form of the cursed log, they had so ignorantly brought home with them, and started to burn.

Which is precisely when things start to take a psychedelic- not to mention gory- turn...in a bizarre- and completely unexpected- series of twists that put even Twin Peaks to shame.

What ensues is an absolutely wild ride...that is both well written and acted, cleverly constructed...and straight up driven by imagination.

All of which makes for one hell of an entertaining holiday horror film that you DO NOT want to miss!!!

To make things even more interesting...it's release was a complete secret.

Airing after the season 6 finale of Rick & Morty, and marketed only as the "Adult Swim Yule Log".

The only hint that this seemingly benign Christmas season presentation actually held something more nefarious in store, were the "presents" sent to a number of horror movie influencers- who ended up posting pictures of what they received on reddit.

Those being logs inscribed with the word murder...

Though, even considering this...there is no way anyone would have managed to guess just what sort of insanity lied in store.

Because it really is...out of this world.

If you only watch one horror movie this Christmas season...definitely make it this one.

You won't be disappointed.

The best horror film of the year, hands down!!!

9 out of 10.

Such a creative and unique horror movie. Some legit funny lines and scenes too. Had no idea what was going to happen next. The kills were all great as well. We need more movies like this that are unique and keep you guessing. Movie starts out so clever with just focus on the fireplace and the characters that are in the shot. If you're a true horror fan you'll love this movie for sure! Really hope Adult Swim attempts to make more films like this one. The film had so many classic horror elements there's a little bit of everything in this movie for everyone. Would actually love to see a sequel to this, hopefully we get more like this.

This movie is genius. Masked within safety, I stumbled upon the Yule Log after watching Rick and Morty, and its safe to say that I didn't look away for second. The start of this film is the definition of a hook; it catches you and drags you in, and all you can do is watch as your confusion grows throughout the entire experience. Casper Kelly is a genius and honestly should be given more recognition for his creativity and work. Kelly is so good at creating that classic adult swim confusion piece; the kind that makes you feel like there has to be more to what you're watching, but then once you get to the twist it ends up still not being what you expected. He's like Shyamalan but good at what he does. I really enjoyed this movie and would recommend it to anyone looking for a strange holiday film.