Hubbry Logo
The Advent CalendarThe Advent CalendarMain
Open search
The Advent Calendar
Community hub
The Advent Calendar
logo
7 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
The Advent Calendar
The Advent Calendar
The Advent Calendar
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia
The Advent Calendar
FrenchLe calendrier
Directed byPatrick Ridremont
StarringEugénie Derouand
Release date
  • 1 December 2021 (2021-12-01)
Running time
104 minutes
CountriesFrance
Belgium
LanguageFrench

The Advent Calendar (French: Le calendrier) is a 2021 French-Belgian horror film directed by Patrick Ridremont.[1][2]

Cast

[edit]
  • Eugénie Derouand - Eva Roussel
  • Honorine Magnier [fr] - Sophie
  • Clément Olivieri - William

Reception

[edit]

On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 82% based on 33 reviews, with an average rating of 6.7/10. The website's consensus reads: "It may not be the most effective holiday horror entry, but The Advent Calendar has its share of nasty treats for genre fans."[3] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 51 out of 100, based on 4 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.[4]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

The Advent Calendar

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The Advent Calendar (French: Le calendrier) is a 2021 French-Belgian written and directed by Patrick Ridremont. The film stars Eugénie Derouand as Eva, a former dancer who has been paraplegic for three years and receives a mysterious wooden from her best friend (Honorine Magnier) on her birthday, which unleashes a series of and deadly events leading up to . It also features Clément Olivieri and Janis Abrikh in supporting roles. The film premiered in on 1 December 2021 and runs for 104 minutes.

Story and Characters

Plot Summary

Eva Roussel, a former living in , has been paraplegic since a car accident three years prior, confining her to a and complicating her daily life with a demanding job at an insurance firm and ongoing family tensions, including caring for her father who suffers from while enduring hostility from her stepmother. On —her birthday—Eva receives an antique wooden as a from her best friend , who acquired it from a ; the ornate object features intricate clockwork elements and 24 sequentially locked drawers designed to open daily from December 3 to 24. As Eva opens the first drawer and consumes its luxurious treat—a fine —she experiences an initial sense of delight, but this soon gives way to terrifying repercussions when similar indulgences trigger curse-like events harming those around her, such as sudden physical injuries or intense psychological torment befalling her loved ones. The horror intensifies progressively, with each subsequent drawer amplifying the dread through Eva's visions of ethereal figures and glimpses into the calendar's malevolent history, tied to a 19th-century German and an associated vengeful entity that enforces strict, inescapable rules. The narrative culminates in tense confrontations centered on Eva's fractured family dynamics—particularly her father's deteriorating health, her stepmother's cruelty, and Sophie's deepening involvement—culminating in explorations of sacrifice and partial redemption amid unresolved enigmas surrounding the calendar's power.

Cast and Characters

The principal role of Eva, a resilient yet isolated former confined to a following a car accident, is portrayed by Eugénie Derouand, whose performance anchors the 's exploration of vulnerability and inner strength within the characters' strained relationships. Honorine Magnier plays Sophie, Eva's loyal best friend who returns from and gifts her the antique , initially providing unwavering support that evolves into a more complex dynamic as the elements strain their bond. Clément Olivieri as , a man on whom Eva develops a crush, whose involvement adds layers to the interpersonal conflicts exacerbated by the curse's repercussions on those close to the protagonist. In supporting roles, Jean-François Garreaud appears as Eva's father, contributing to the depiction of fractured through his character's interactions amid the unfolding horror. Janis Abrikh portrays , a figure from Eva's past whose presence highlights romantic and emotional entanglements affected by the eerie events, while Cyril Garnier plays Boris, representing professional relationships that suffer from the calendar's influence. These characters collectively drive the 's interpersonal dynamics, illustrating how personal connections unravel under supernatural pressure without delving into specific plot activations.

Production

Development

Patrick Ridremont served as both and director of The Advent Calendar, drawing inspiration from classic horror tropes involving cursed or recurring objects, such as videotapes in The Ring, but reimagining them through an antique to subvert traditional imagery and expectations. The concept stemmed from Ridremont's personal observation of his stepsister's habit of eagerly consuming all the chocolates from her advent calendars on the first day of , prompting him to envision a version with sinister, rule-bound consequences instead of treats. Script development emphasized a blend of social drama and supernatural horror, centering on the protagonist's to explore themes of isolation and moral dilemmas, while incorporating elements of female resilience in confronting otherworldly threats. Ridremont aimed for an allegorical structure akin to films like , varying the calendar's "gifts" to mix deadly, psychological, and temporal effects drawn from biblical folklore, ensuring the narrative avoided repetitive scares. The screenplay was finalized shortly before production, with adjustments made during pre-production that influenced the prop's final design. The film was produced by Sombrero Films as the lead company, in co-production with Belgium's Frakas Productions and Siddhi Films, supported by French-Belgian incentives that funded approximately 50% from each country. These partnerships facilitated a bilingual approach reflecting the film's French-Belgian origins, incorporating German linguistic elements tied to the calendar's 19th-century heritage. A key creative choice was the use of practical effects for the central prop, crafted over three months by a specialist to feature authentic mechanisms and a structure evoking antique religious artifacts. occurred in 2019, with taking place from late September to November 2019. The overall timeline faced minor disruptions from the in , leading to a release delay from late 2020 to December 2021.

Filming

Principal photography for The Advent Calendar (original title: Le Calendrier) took place in 2019, primarily in , , over 22 days, where director Patrick Ridremont noted that most scenes were captured to leverage the city's urban environments for the film's holiday horror tone. The production utilized practical sets for interior sequences, including Eva's apartment, designed by Julia Irribarria and Eve Martin to create a richly detailed, claustrophobic space that heightened the story's tension, with a custom antique wooden serving as a key prop. Exterior shots were filmed in wintry settings to amplify the atmospheric dread of the narrative. Cinematography was handled by Danny Elsen, who employed a visual style that blended gritty realism with subtle to underscore the elements. The film favored practical effects for the curse's manifestations, such as grotesque prosthetics and makeup for injuries and transformations, minimizing reliance on CGI to maintain a tangible, unsettling quality in the horror sequences. This approach extended to choreographed flashbacks of the protagonist's past, requiring stunt coordination to integrate seamlessly with Eugénie Derouand's wheelchair-bound performance. Post-filming, editor Delvigne focused on pacing to build suspense through gradual reveals tied to the calendar's drawers, wrapping principal editing to align with the film's December 2021 release.

Release and Distribution

Premiere

The Advent Calendar had its world premiere on July 10, 2021, at the in . This was followed by the UK premiere at FrightFest on August 30, 2021, and the European premiere at the in on October 7, 2021. These festival screenings generated early buzz for the film's blend of horror and holiday themes, influencing its subsequent reception. The received a theatrical release in on December 1, 2021, distributed by Alba Films, strategically timed to align with the season and capitalize on the advent calendar motif central to the plot. In its opening weekend, it grossed approximately €200,000 from 27,119 admissions, a modest performance attributed to ongoing restrictions limiting cinema capacity and attendance. Internationally, the film expanded with limited theatrical runs in starting October 28, 2021, at the Razor Reel Film Festival, and in select other European countries later that year. The U.S. occurred via streaming on Shudder on , 2021. efforts included trailers that highlighted the cursed advent calendar's eerie elements, with early versions debuted at festivals to build anticipation. Promotional materials in featured replicas of the film's physical to evoke the story's tension.

Markets and Platforms

Following its initial release, The Advent Calendar secured exclusive streaming rights in the United States and through Shudder, a service owned by , with availability beginning on December 2, 2021. This premiere positioned the film as a key holiday horror offering on the platform, accessible ad-free across devices. By 2022, the film expanded to additional streaming and video-on-demand services in select regions, including for rental and purchase in the U.S. and other markets. It also appeared on free ad-supported television (FAST) platforms such as , broadening accessibility without subscription costs in territories like the U.S. Internationally, Shudder facilitated video-on-demand release in the during December 2021, aligning with the holiday season. In its home market of , physical home media distribution included a Blu-ray edition released on March 24, 2022, featuring the original French audio track. A U.S. Blu-ray version followed on December 30, 2025, offering English subtitles, an track by film critic Mary Beth McAndrews, a video introduction by director Patrick Ridremont, and a on the production. These extras emphasized the 's practical effects and narrative twists without including deleted scenes. The film's global distribution extended through festival acquisitions, serving as entry points to limited theatrical and streaming releases in regions including , with a premiere at South Korea's in July 2021. By the end of 2022, worldwide earnings totaled approximately $456,555, primarily from international markets. As of November 2025, The Advent Calendar remains available on subscription services like AMC+ and Shudder in and select European countries, with ongoing rotation on FAST platforms for broader viewership. A limited-edition Blu-ray re-release in the , featuring a slipcover and the aforementioned extras, has been announced for December 30, 2025.

Reception

Critical Response

The Advent Calendar received mixed reviews from critics, who praised its atmospheric tension and the central prop's eerie design while critiquing its pacing and reliance on genre conventions. On , the film holds an 80% approval rating based on 30 reviews, with an average score of 6.7/10. assigns it a score of 51/100, indicating mixed or average reviews from 4 critics. Critics frequently highlighted the film's ability to build through its mechanics, particularly the advent calendar's role as a , ornate device that subverts traditional imagery without resorting to overused holiday monsters like killer Santas. The performance of Eugénie Derouand as the vulnerable Eva was a common point of praise, with reviewers noting her intense portrayal that conveys emotional depth amid the horror. Publications such as Culture Crypt lauded the atmospheric tension and immersive visuals, describing it as a captivating creeper that elevates holiday horror through practical effects and real-location . Similarly, Bloody Disgusting commended the unpredictable consequences of the calendar's gifts, which deliver effective and bloody moments that provide genre thrills. However, several reviews pointed to shortcomings in execution, including pacing issues that drag in the third act and underdeveloped supporting characters who fail to add emotional weight. Peter Sobczynski of awarded it 2 out of 4 stars, criticizing its predictable twists, uneven tone, and heavy dependence on "time-honored tropes in all of ," such as the "be-careful-what-you-wish-for" setup. Bloody Disgusting echoed concerns about the protagonist's reactive nature and a messy emotional arc, rating it 2.5 out of 5 skulls despite its strong premise. The consensus positions The Advent Calendar as a solid, if not groundbreaking, entry in holiday horror, appealing to fans through its visual style and practical effects, though it struggles to transcend familiar clichés.

Audience Reception

Upon its release, The Advent Calendar garnered mixed but generally positive reception from , evidenced by over 7,000 user ratings on averaging 6.3 out of 10. On , the film holds an average rating of 3.1 out of 5 from more than 12,000 logs, reflecting its appeal among horror enthusiasts who appreciated its atmospheric tension. Viewers on gave it a 65% audience score, praising the film's unique premise of a cursed that blends wish fulfillment with supernatural horror. Common praises centered on the slow-burn terror and emotional depth in portraying the protagonist's , with many highlighting Eugénie Derouand's compelling performance as the paraplegic Eva and the thoughtful exploration of her struggles, which added layers to the genre's typical tropes. The film's emerged from its innovative curse narrative, often described as a fresh take on holiday horror that effectively builds dread through subtle, creeping horror elements rather than overt shocks. However, some audience members criticized the abrupt ending, which felt rushed or unsatisfying to those expecting a more conclusive resolution, alongside complaints that the gore levels were too mild for a film marketed as horror. Non-French speaking viewers occasionally noted challenges with , though this did not broadly detract from enjoyment. The film achieved notable cultural impact within the horror community, appearing on Collider's lists of best holiday horror movies from the last decade and essential Christmas scares, cementing its status as a seasonal recommendation. It sparked discussions on in horror through its central narrative, with audiences commending the representation while debating its integration into the plot. By 2025, The Advent Calendar maintains steady streaming visibility on platforms like Shudder and AMC+ during holiday seasons, fostering niche appeal in international horror circles without achieving mainstream breakout success.

References

  1. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12496706/
  2. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_advent_calendar
  3. https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-advent-calendar-movie-review-2021
  4. https://dmtalkies.com/the-advent-calendar-ending-explained-2021-film-patrick-ridremont/
  5. https://rue-morgue.com/patrick-ridremont-on-the-monster-within-the-advent-calendar/
  6. https://www.shudder.com/movies/watch/the-advent-calendar/5ef9d7a3c8d9b0006e4b5d6a
  7. https://culturecrypt.com/movie-reviews/the-advent-calendar-2021
  8. https://www.flickeringmyth.com/the-advent-calendar-2021-movie-review/
  9. https://horrorcultfilms.co.uk/2021/12/the-advent-calendar-2021-aka-le-calendrier-review/
  10. https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/762079-le-calendrier/cast
  11. https://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm-279678/casting/
  12. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12496706/fullcredits/
  13. https://wickedhorror.com/features/interviews/shudder-the-advent-calendar-patrick-ridremont-interview/
  14. https://thehollywoodnews.com/2021/12/21/interview-patrick-ridremont-on-his-christmas-chiller-the-advent-calendar/
  15. https://en.unifrance.org/movie/49900/the-advent-calendar
  16. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12496706/companycredits/
  17. https://scriptoclap.fr/oeuvres/le-calendrier/
  18. https://www.lefilmfrancais.com/cinema/149538/alba-decale-le-calendrier
  19. https://mulderville.net/en/events/1725/the-advent-calendar-let-s-talk-with-patrick-ridremont-and-eugenie-derouand
  20. https://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm-279678/secrets-tournage/
  21. https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/the-advent-calendar-2021-film-review-by-jennie-kermode
  22. https://cineuropa.org/film/413970/
  23. https://reelnewsdaily.com/2021/12/01/shudder-original-review-the-advent-calendar-is-the-holiday-horror-gift-that-keeps-on-giving/
  24. https://horrorreviewsbythecollective.wordpress.com/2021/12/04/the-advent-calendar-2021/
  25. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12496706/releaseinfo/
  26. https://letterboxd.com/film/the-advent-calendar/
  27. https://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm_gen_cfilm=279678.html
  28. https://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm-279678/box-office/
  29. https://www.assignmentx.com/2021/movie-review-the-advent-calendar-le-calendrier/
  30. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VsxDtDsiRI
  31. https://www.unifrance.org/film/49900/le-calendrier
  32. https://www.shudder.com/movies/watch/the-advent-calendar/d3cb3f1e92e51d17
  33. https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/the-advent-calendar-2021
  34. https://www.amazon.com/Advent-Calendar-Eug%25C3%25A9nie-Derouand/dp/B0B6DD1FDF
  35. https://moviesandmania.com/2021/11/04/the-advent-calendar-movie-film-horror-2021-review-reviews-overview/
  36. https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Le-Calendrier-Blu-ray/307707/
  37. https://bluray.highdefdigest.com/152004/theadventcalendar.html
  38. https://vinegarsyndrome.com/products/the-advent-calendar
  39. https://www.moviesunlimited.com/the-advent-calendar/810161485192
  40. https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt12496706/
  41. https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/The-Advent-Calendar-Blu-ray/400599/
  42. https://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-advent-calendar/
  43. https://bloody-disgusting.com/reviews/3694529/review-advent-calendar-offers-treats-inside-cursed-doors/
  44. https://collider.com/holiday-horror-movies-last-decade-ranked/
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.