All the Creatures Were Stirring

All the Creatures Were Stirring is a 2018 American Christmas horror comedy anthology film written and directed by Rebekah and David Ian McKendry.

All the Creatures Were Stirring
Directed by
Written by
  • Rebekah McKendry
  • David Ian McKendry
Produced by
  • Morgan Peter Brown
  • Joe Wicker
Starring
  • The Stockings Were Hung:
  • Jocelin Donahue
  • Michelle DeFraites
  • Edward Hong
  • Herve Clermont
  • Chase Williamson
  • Josh Drennen
  • Larry Zerner
  • Jesse Merlin
  • Diane Sellers
  • Quinn Callens
  • Matt Mercer
  • Dash Away All:
  • Matt Long
  • Makeda Declet
  • Catherine Parker
  • All Through The House/Elf TV:
  • Jonathan Kite
  • Peter Cilella
  • Amanda Fuller
  • Connie Ventress
  • Archie Hahn
  • Dashiell Kane
  • Fatty McGoo
  • Dylan Matlock
  • John Humphrey
  • Mike Manfre
  • Brea Grant
  • Shane Carpenter
  • Arose Such A Clatter:
  • Mark Kelly
  • Megan Duffy
  • In A Twinkling:
  • Morgan Peter Brown
  • Constance Wu
  • Stephanie Drake
  • Tifanny Elle
  • Craig Lee Thomas
  • To All A Good Night:
  • Ashley Clements
  • Graham Skipper
Edited byJeff Seidman
Music bySeth Colegrove
Production
company
FallBack Plan Productions
Distributed byRLJE Films
Release dates
  • April 6, 2018 (2018-04-06) (initial)
  • December 4, 2018 (2018-12-04) (United States)
Running time
80 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

The film was released on digital, video on demand and DVD on December 4, 2018, and on Blu-ray on January 8, 2019.

Plot summary

edit

The film's story follows an awkward first date on Christmas Eve. The couple ends up at a strange theater where they witness a collection of bizarre and frightening short stories. These stories revolve around dark takes on traditional Christmas activities - a nightmarish office party, a killer stalker, and vengeful spirits.

Segments

edit

The Stockings Were Hung

edit
  • Cast: Jocelin Donahue, Michelle DeFraites, Edward Hong, Herve Clermont, Chase Williamson, Josh Drennen, Larry Zerner, Jesse Merlin, Diane Sellers, Quinn Callens, Matt Mercer (uncredited)

During a seemingly mundane office Christmas party, employees are forced to participate in a deadly Secret Santa exchange where the gifts hold horrifying consequences.

Dash Away All

edit
  • Cast: Matt Long, Makeda Declet, Catherine Parker, Alexander Ward

On Christmas Eve, after rushing to finish his shopping, Eric accidentally locked his keys in his car, with his phone inside. He saw two women nearby, Sasha and Frankie, and asked them for help. He didn't know that Sasha and Frankie were planning something evil - a special ceremony to call forth a powerful demon.

All Through The House/Elf TV

edit
  • Cast: Jonathan Kite, Peter Cilella, Amanda Fuller, Connie Ventress, Archie Hahn, Dashiell Kane, Fatty McGoo, Dylan Matlock, John Humphrey, Mike Manfre, Brea Grant, Shane Carpenter

Chet disliked Christmas, especially his neighbor's flashy lights. On Christmas Eve, flipping through TV channels, Chet found a spooky letter. It warned of three ghosts coming to change his grumpy Christmas spirit.

Arose Such A Clatter

edit
  • Cast: Mark Kelly, Megan Duffy

Following a harrowing late-night drive where they may have struck a reindeer, Guy returned home with his wife, Suzy. While a sense of normalcy initially returned, an unsettling feeling soon crept over Guy. He began to suspect they were being watched, or perhaps even stalked, by an unseen presence.

In A Twinkling

edit
  • Cast: Morgan Peter Brown, Constance Wu, Stephanie Drake, Tifanny Elle, Craig Lee Thomas

It was Christmas Eve, and Gabby was at a party with her boyfriend Steve and their friends. Things weren't going well though, as Gabby and Steve ended up in a big argument. Feeling frustrated, Gabby decided to step outside for some fresh air. As she looked up at the night sky, something incredible happened. The stars started to move and glow, swirling together in a strange light. Before Gabby knew what was happening, she was enveloped by the light and zapped to another place. It looked like Christmas alright, but everything felt weird and twisted. It was a spooky, messed-up version of Christmas Eve, and Gabby had no idea how to get back home.

To All A Good Night

edit
  • Cast: Ashley Clements, Graham Skipper

Max and Jenna were captivated by a play, particularly the intriguing final act. However, during this critical moment, Max was struck by an untimely urge and scurried off to the restroom. Jenna, left to her own devices, continued to watch the play's conclusion. Yet, a sense of bewilderment crept in. The actions on stage became increasingly perplexing, and the plot seemed to unravel before her eyes. By the time Max returned, the play had reached a confusing and bizarre finale.

Production

edit

Writing

edit

In 2015, Rebekah McKendry, alongside her spouse David Ian McKendry, co-wrote the screenplay for the film and marked their directorial debut with the project.

Casting

edit

In the same year, Constance Wu, known for her role in "Crazy Rich Asians" and Jonathan Kite, a star of "2 Broke Girls" were confirmed to appear in the film.[1] Other casts members include Amanda Fuller, Brea Grant, Graham Skipper, and Stephanie Drake and many more.[1]

Filming

edit

The filming date of the film is unknown.

In 2018, Rebekah McKendry revealed that she directed the film while pregnant throughout the nine-month term. This being said, "We shot the first two segments while I was nine months pregnant. Then we had to stop because it reached a point where I went a little bit past my due date. My doctor was like, 'Okay, you have to give birth this Wednesday, we're making an appointment.' My first call wasn't to my parents, it was to my producers, saying, 'Okay guys, we can't shoot next weekend, I have to go give birth.' We took three weeks off after I gave birth, and then we were right back on, and I brought my son to set with me."[2][3]

Release

edit

Theatrical

edit

All the Creatures Were Stirring was released in the United States on December 4, 2018.

Home media

edit

The film was released on digital, video on demand, DVD on the same day, and on Blu-ray on January 8, 2019.[4]

Reception

edit

On the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 62%, based on 13 reviews, with a rating average of 4.80/10.[5]

References

edit
  1. ^ a b Collic, Clark (October 17, 2018). "Constance Wu, Jonathan Kite to Star in Horror-Comedy 'All the Creatures Were Stirring'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  2. ^ Collic, Clark (November 28, 2018). "All the Creatures Were Stirring filmmaker directed horror anthology while nine months pregnant". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  3. ^ Millican, Josh (November 29, 2018). "For ALL THE CREATURES WERE STIRRING Director Rebekah McKendry Juggled Filmmaking & Childbirth". Dread Central. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  4. ^ Sprague, Mike (August 19, 2018). "ALL THE CREATURES WERE STIRRING Hits VOD, Digital & DVD This Christmas". Dread Central. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  5. ^ "All the Creatures Were Stirring (2018) - Rotten Tomatoes". Rotten Tomatoes.com. Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
edit