Synopsis

Rebecca, a woman in her 30s, lives in the charming, Christmas-obsessed town of Harbor Springs, where the annual tree-lighting ceremony is the highlight of the season. But her holiday spirit is shaken when the town’s new mayor orders the removal of the cherished Christmas tree just days before Christmas. Determined to save this beloved tradition, Rebecca rallies her friends and starts a petition to preserve the town’s symbol of holiday cheer. While leading her mission, Rebecca reconnects with Dylan McFay, a soap opera star returning home for the holidays, and their chemistry is undeniable. However, things get complicated when movie star Thomas Stratton arrives, sparking a love triangle that leaves Rebecca torn between two very different men.

Meanwhile, Sam—a cynical drifter—ends up in Harbor Springs after his truck breaks down in the middle of nowhere. Picked up by an Uber heading into the town, Sam is bewildered by what feels like a fantasy world where people don’t talk or act like normal society. Everything is endlessly joyful, and problems are brushed aside as if they don’t exist. Referring to the town as a “Holiday Hell-scape,” Sam’s sharp wit and disdain for all things Christmas set him at odds with the town’s relentless cheer and is desperately looking for a way out.

As a fierce winter storm isolates the town, something far more sinister begins to unravel. Without warning, some of the townspeople—friends and neighbors Rebecca has known all her life—transform into horrifying monsters. What began as a season of love and tradition turns into a desperate fight for survival as the creatures attack anyone in their path.

Rebecca, Sam, and a small group of survivors take refuge in a Christmas knick-knack store, battling fear and uncertainty as they try to evade the nightmare unfolding outside.

Blending heartfelt holiday romance with an unexpected plunge into horror, this story offers a fresh, thrilling twist on the classic Christmas movie

Themes

In this inventive screenplay, the traditional themes of Christmas—hope, community, and love—are interwoven with darker elements that delve into the complexities of trauma, particularly through Sam's poignant backstory. As the story unfolds in a small town brimming with holiday spirit, the idyllic traditions often associated with this festive season begin to unravel, revealing the underlying darkness of its inhabitants. This juxtaposition of joyous celebration and lurking horror introduces a layer of irony that elevates the narrative beyond a mere holiday tale. Instead, it transforms into a gripping exploration of how the spirit of Christmas can coexist with a monstrous shadow undertone. Ultimately, this film balances the warmth of community with the unsettling realities of individual experiences and reactions, creating a unique blend that reinvents the Christmas and Monster movie genre.

Marketability

This film presents a compelling opportunity in today's cinematic landscape, where genre mashups are capturing the audience's imagination. As holiday films continue to garner affection for their charm and warmth, the infusing of horror elements introduces a thrilling twist that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. The adjacency of festive cheer with spine-tingling suspense not only attracts fans of both genres but also opens the door to creative storytelling that can resonate with a wide range of audiences. With a well-crafted narrative and engaging characters, this film could ride the wave of its predecessors and carve out a niche in the ever-evolving entertainment market. The potential for memorable scenes that blend merriment with terror is immense, making it an exciting project to watch as it unfolds.

Rom-Horror is the New Rom-Com

Article by Esther Zuckerman (Bloomberg)

(Click to read)

Comparables

Moodboard

Making the Monsters

Early Concepts

The Monster suits would be articulated heads, and costumes for the actors.

Utilizing AI software to help blend the SFX. In particular where acting and movement is done by humans and filmed, then using AI to 'repaint' the surfaces which makes movements look more natural. Allowing a human to turn into our array of monsters seamlessly.

Runway video-to-video seems to be the best model with examples at the moment for that. Even allowing scenes created by starting with an image in Mid-journey and prompting Runway to bring the image alive as a video.

You can specify end frames and sometimes mid frames too if you want to direct the video more specifically. By knowing the camera shots we want, then filming it and doing video-to-video would create a good workflow.

Leaving us also with the option to do complex camera moves, or superhuman action sequences. Even utilizing minimum motion capturing and composing it into Unreal or Unity software to help with larger fight scenes and complicated movements. Then running that footage into Runway Video AI to keep it consistent with the look of the other footage.

Using AI software along side practical effects.

Runway Video-to-Video AI Example

SAM

40s, cynical, foul-mouthed, secretly wounded. Sam hates Christmas—and he's not quiet about it. Stranded in Harbor Springs thanks to a broken-down truck and an unlucky Uber ride, Sam quickly becomes the reluctant outsider in a town overflowing with forced cheer. But when the townspeople start turning into monsters, Sam’s gruff instincts and sharp tongue become unexpectedly vital. He might not believe in holiday miracles, but by the end, he just might become one.

DYLAN
MCFAY

30s, Tall, dark-haired, extremely handsome, casual yet striking. A soap opera star ("While the World Burns") returning home to visit his parents, Audrey and Dermit McFay. Friendly and initially supportive of Rebecca’s cause — but harbors a dark secret and plays a pivotal role when the supernatural horror is unleashed in town.

REBECCA

30s, passionate, warm, determined. Rebecca is the unofficial queen of Christmas in Harbor Springs—organizer, cheerleader, and lifelong believer in the magic of the season. When the town’s beloved Christmas tree is threatened, she takes charge with unwavering resolve. But as her world turns upside down—from cozy romance to horrifying chaos—Rebecca transforms from a festive optimist into a resourceful survivor. Her heart may be torn between two men, but her strength anchors the fight to save the town.

THOMAS STRATTON

30s, confident, dazzling, complicated. A Hollywood leading man who unexpectedly crashes into Harbor Springs, Thomas brings charm, glamour—and chaos. His arrival throws a wrench into Rebecca’s growing bond with Dylan and adds fuel to the town's celebrity obsession. But when things go dark, Thomas must prove that he’s more than a marquee name. Whether he's hero or distraction remains to be seen.

Characters

DIANA

Early 30s, Overly attractive, polished, a bit out of place in small-town life. Rebecca’s friend, shares concern over the town’s lost traditions but later becomes possessed by the malevolent force taking over Harbor Springs. Initially sweet but turns into a chilling, monstrous figure in the unfolding nightmare.

CAROL

In her 40s, Attractive, friendly store clerk. Works at the Christmas decorations store. A bit of a confidante to Rebecca — pragmatic, understanding, and quietly supportive. She represents the nostalgic charm of Harbor Springs and becomes an unwitting participant in the terrifying events.

BARBARA (Rebecca's Mother)

In her 60s and dressed in festive flair, Barbara is the heart of the holiday—warm, supportive, and the kind of mom who makes Christmas feel magical. She champions Rebecca’s fight to save the town’s traditions, hosting gatherings with grace and charm. But when the supernatural hits home, Barbara sheds her sweet exterior and emerges as a no-nonsense, badass survivor, proving that even the most wholesome holiday moms can become fierce protectors.

STAN (Rebecca's Father)

In his 60s, Jolly, good-natured, slight comedic edge. A loving father figure who enjoys the simple pleasures of family life (and fudge!). Supportive of Rebecca, adores Barbara, and looks forward to the annual town festivities. Stan's warmth is contrasted sharply against the horror that erupts during the party.

HANK

In his 60s, Weathered but steady. Sam’s stepfather — married Sam’s mother after her divorce from Sam’s father. Practical, no-nonsense, and has a strained but caring relationship with Sam. He calls Sam home during his mother’s final days, setting the journey into motion. Represents a more grounded (if strained) connection to Sam's past.

AUDREY McFAY

60s, elegant, polite, terrifying. Dylan’s mother and a pillar of Harbor Springs society, Audrey is the embodiment of picture-perfect Christmas hospitality. But beneath the eggnog and caroling lies something... unnatural. Audrey becomes one of the first to turn, revealing the horrifying reality hidden beneath the town’s holiday perfection.