Most people have a traditional favorite Christmas film, yet some prefer unconventional choices like , , or Tangerine. I long avoided naming an obscure favorite when asked, but that changed in 2022 thanks to a Yule Log video.
What begins as comforting television background transforms into something entirely unexpected: the start of a surreal, absurd holiday horror franchise that both parodies and exemplifies the genre. Here’s why it’s worth watching now on HBO Max.
Casper Kelly’s opens precisely as anticipated: tight shots of a crackling fire with soft Christmas films in the background. This lasts merely two minutes before the scene shifts to a landlady tidying a rental property, then being attacked and killed by two intruders. At that moment, it becomes evident this isn’t a Yule Log video—it’s the opening sequence of a slasher flick.
Soon after, we meet the film’s actual protagonists: vacationers renting the cabin for a holiday getaway. The camera gradually pulls back to show the full living room, where most of the action unfolds like theater. Similar to Barbarian‘s beginning, the rental’s double-booking leads to fatal outcomes, particularly once it’s revealed that the fireplace log came from a tree with a dark history.
This builds to a convoluted finale featuring the log stalking the characters, a diminutive man dwelling in the flames, manipulation of the space-time continuum, and a concluding meta-twist that reframes the whole narrative as an exploration of generational trauma.
But there’s more! trades the slasher satire for a vibrant, oversaturated Hallmark movie parody with a monster movie element. It tracks the first film’s survivor as she attempts to heal from the bloodshed, only to romance a widowed ornament vendor and rescue coral reefs via shrimp fudge (yes, really). While Hallmark films are simple to mock, Branchin’ Out distinguishes itself by genuinely incorporating a heartfelt holiday romance—something your mother would adore if you removed all the bloody practical effects.
The Adult Swim Yule Log two-film set represents the perfect odd Christmas movie combination: though irreverent, they still honor Christmas media conventions. Ultimately, that’s what the season is truly about: finding surprises in seemingly formulaic holiday films you watch with loved ones.