Screenwriter (and formerLA Weeklymovie critic)April Wolfecowrites the screenplay for the latest remake ofBlack Christmasthat starsImogen Pootsand hits theaters this Friday. Wolfe along with directorSophia Takalhave constructed a script that updates the classic story of a group of sorority sisters being stalked by a mysterious killer in new and exciting ways. Rather than following the slasher cliche of screaming and running desperately from their killer, these ladies stand and fight their potential killer by any means necessary. Blumhouse Productions is hoping that the public’s desire for more horror fare and alternative programming to films likeStar Wars: The Rise of SkywalkerorJumanji: The Next Levelwill translate into box office success forBlack Christmas. Wolfe and Takal’s script has a powerful #MeToo storyline and explores the conversations that men and women are having on college campuses about the rapidly evolving traditional societal roles of women and men in 2019.
Before the film’s release, I sat down with Wolfe to discuss how she came on to the project as a screenwriter and what she felt was most important to include in her screenplay that honored the social issues highlighted in the original movie. We talked about what real life experiences she drew from to create the specificity of Riley’s sexual assault storyline. Wolfe also discussed working with Takal to construct a script that stayed away from the traditional slasher vibe tropes and instead focused on the societal horror that is occurring between some women and men on college campuses today in 2019. Read the questions that I asked down below and watch the video above to see Wolfe’s answers.Black Christmasalso starsCary Elwes,Brittany O’Grady(Star),Aleyse Shannon(Charmed),Lily Donoghue(Grey’s Anatomy),Ben Black(Roman Empire), andCaleb Eberhart(The Post).
April Wolfe:
Black Christmasarrives in theaters December 13. For more, check out theofficial trailer here.
