Reviews: Hanukkah (2019) Movie Review
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Horror fans will enjoy our review of Hanukkah (2019), where we cover its story, scares, and how it ranks among modern horror classics.
Hanukkah (2019), directed by Eben McGarr, markets itself as “the first Jewish slasher film” — a bold hook that sets expectations for a fresh spin on holiday horror. With horror legends Sid Haig and Caroline Williams on the cast list and a concept steeped in religious satire, the film promises cult appeal. Unfortunately, Hanukkah squanders its potential with tonal confusion, flat characters, and missed opportunities for both scares and laughs.
Hanukkah (2019) – A Holiday Horror With More Gimmick Than Guts
Plot, Themes, and Character Development
The story centers around a group of Jewish young adults who are invited to a mansion over the Hanukkah holiday, where they are stalked and picked off by a killer named Judah Lazarus, the son of a fanatical rabbi. The killer is determined to “purify” those who defy Jewish law, turning religious orthodoxy into a murderous crusade.
The film attempts to explore religious extremism, cultural identity, and moral hypocrisy through the slasher lens, but the execution feels muddled. The setup is ripe for satirical horror, but the characters — most of whom are written as crude stereotypes — are so thinly developed that their deaths feel meaningless. There’s little emotional weight or suspense, and most scenes exist only to move from one kill to the next.
Worse yet, the tone fluctuates awkwardly between straight horror and tongue-in-cheek parody, but never finds the right balance. Is it a spoof of religious horror tropes? A serious slasher with Jewish themes? Or just a novelty project? The film never decides, and that indecision hurts it.
Acting and Cinematography
Sid Haig, in one of his final screen appearances, brings gravitas and menace to the role of the original Rabbi Lazarus, even if his screen time is brief. Caroline Williams is also underused, and much of the rest of the cast ranges from stiff to cartoonish.
The younger leads — who are supposed to represent the sinful targets of the killer’s wrath — are loud, obnoxious, and unlikable by design, but this robs the film of any real tension or investment. There’s no final girl to root for, no real emotional hook, just a parade of thin setups and gory payoffs.
Visually, the film is basic. The lighting is harsh, the sets are barebones, and the cinematography rarely rises above average. Kill scenes are graphic but not inventive — relying on standard slasher fare without the shock or suspense that defines the genre’s best entries.
Directing Style, Strengths, and Weaknesses
Eben McGarr seems to have a clear affection for grindhouse cinema and old-school slashers, and there’s something admirable about trying to fuse that style with a religious holiday most horror films ignore. But the film’s pacing is poor, the script undercooked, and the direction lacks the confidence needed to carry such a niche concept.
There are glimmers of style — particularly in the killer’s costume design and the occasional flair of musical scoring — but they’re buried beneath rough editing and inconsistent storytelling. Attempts at humor fall flat, and moments that should feel outrageous or provocative instead come off as forced or awkward.
Strengths:
Unique premise with religious horror spin
Sid Haig’s presence adds brief gravitas
Potential for cult appeal as a holiday oddity
Commitment to practical gore effects in some scenes
Weaknesses:
Tonally inconsistent, never settling on horror or comedy
Poor character development, leaving the audience indifferent
Sloppy pacing and editing disrupt suspense
Underused veteran cast, with little payoff
Fails to fully utilize its cultural or thematic concept
Final Verdict & Score: 3/10
Hanukkah has all the ingredients for a weird, memorable cult horror flick — but it fails to rise beyond its gimmick. With a unique concept and a couple of horror icons on board, it could have been a satirical standout. Instead, it’s a confused, underwritten slog that’s unlikely to convert even the most forgiving slasher fans. For collectors of oddball holiday horror, it might be worth a one-time viewing — for everyone else, it’s a hard pass.
Sources Used to Shape This Review
Insights in this review are drawn from director interviews, fan commentary, production notes, and long-form breakdowns across genre-specific platforms. Content is written uniquely and reviewed for accuracy.
- Hanukkah Rating Scores
- Our Score: 3/10
- Overall Score: 3.26/10
- IMDB: 3.4/10
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