So far it’s been a mixed year for Christmas themed horror films with offerings ranging from the delightful ALL THE CREATURES WERE STIRRING and UGLY SWEATER PARTY to lumps of coal like ELVES and DEAD BY CHRISTMAS. Now effects man turned director Spooky Dan Walker jumps into the mix with SLAY BELLES. Does he deserve to land on the naughty or nice list for his efforts?

Alexi (Kristina Klebe, HALLOWEEN, ZONE OF THE DEAD), Dahlia (Susan Slaughter, ALLELUIA! THE DEVIL’S CARNIVAL ) and Sadie (Hannah Wagner) are The Adventure Girls, a group of YouTubers who combine cosplay and urban exploration. When they sneak into the abandoned theme park Santa Land they find themselves in way over their heads. It seems Santa (Barry Bostwick, MEGAFORCE, FDR: AMERICAN BADASS) actually does live here, even though he’d rather be a biker off riding the wind. And those killings the police think are the work of a bear? That would be Krampus. Now they’re in the middle of a centuries-old battle between good and evil.

In case the title and plot haven’t given it away, this isn’t an entirely serious film. SLAY BELLES is a fast and funny affair that throws all manners of curves, both from the plot and the actresses, at us. A wicked mix of laughs, scares and cleavage, (I did mention the ladies were cosplayers right?) it’s one of those films you don’t think about, just sit back and enjoy.

Along the way, there’s everything from bizarre weapons, creatures that resemble the Crites from CRITTERS, and cameos from Richard Moll (THE SWORD AND THE SORCERER, HOUSE) and Diane Salinger (PEE WEE’S BIG ADVENTURE) as a bartender with one hell of a secret. It’s not all laughs either. There are some decent action scenes, but the odd flash of gore and an ending surprised the hell out of me.

At seventy-five minutes including credits, SLAY BELLES barely qualifies as a feature, but that’s for the best. This isn’t the kind of film you want to drag out. Just crack a cold one and don’t ask any questions, because just like magic it only works if you believe.

Epic Pictures and Dread Central Presents will release SLAY BELLES on VOD and Blu-Ray on December 4th.

Where to watch Slay Belles