Adult Swim’s YULE LOG (aka THE FIREPLACE, 2022)
Premiered on Cartoon Network and now streaming on HBO MAX!
Directed and written by Casper Kelly.
Trailer: https://youtu.be/Jkw_RB5U1ms
What begins as a simple scene depicting a blazing yule log fire evolves into a story about a couple spending Christmas in a cabin that happens to rest on a nexus of many, many terrors including inbred hillbilly slashers, aliens, demonic forces, past sins, and possessed wood.

YULE LOG is a wonderful gumbo of horror tropes mixing all kinds of horror and sci fi subgenres into one devious, delicious surprise gift. I found out about it after the premiere and caught it on HBO MAX, but I would have loved to have been among the viewers surprised by the debut of this wonderfully devilish film. There really isn’t a trope the film doesn’t cover. There is uncomfortable scenes of sheer terror accompanied by a quirky wit that can only be described as Adult Swim-like.

There’s a lot of dream logic going on, but at the same time, there is a rhyme and reason to the way the film circles back in on itself over and over through time and space. Many might dismiss this as just a bunch of kooky images and actions squished together, but those folks aren’t really appreciating the amount of work put into making this time looping, story zig-zagging narrative. Not only does the film tell a present day tale of terror, but it also delves into the dark history of the cabin and those who have occupied it through the years. Things occur in the past that directly relate to the present. Lines spoken are repeated and overlapped across time. It really is quite ingeniously put together—a feat that is not as simple as one might think.

I was impressed across the board by the genius way Casper Kelly accomplished this story. He’s gained a fan for life after watching YULE LOG aka THE FIREPLACE. I was shocked at some of the scenes this film pulled off. I also laughed my ass off at some of the cliches the film tramples over. There is some absolutely gruesome effects, but also some over the top mania that can only be called Raimi-esque. The surreal scenes inside the fireplace with a man who seems to be the devil (played by Charles Green) is actually disturbingly introspective as he touts some wonderful rants about the mindset of today’s youth.

Technically, I marveled at how much story Kelly gets from a static shot of the burning hearth. Not all of the film is made up of this scene, but a good portion of it occurs centered around the fire. Kelly uses reflections and forced perspective to make aspects of the rest of the room appear in scene. Split screen across time is also used in a way that is narratively shocking and devilishly smart too. There really is a lot of technical wizardry going on here.

The acting ain’t half bad either with leads Andrea Laing and Justin Miles making the long static shots interesting through their chemistry together. I also loved Tordy Clark who played the deranged Mother character which made me laugh and shudder all at once. All around, from the initial ember to the smoldering ash of this YULE LOG, I found this film to be thoroughly fun and just the derelict kind of humor and horror I needed to cope with the holidays. This is a true Holiday Horror classic, a perfect gift for the horror fanatic who has seen everything. See it this holiday, you wonderful weirdos.

Creepy Jingle Bells Song by the Dork Lords (I do not own this music) – Subscribe to them here: https://www.youtube.com/@DorkLords

Like, Share, and Subscribe already!!! 

Help me out at my Patreon page here – https://www.patreon.com/MLMiller
Read written reviews and my comics news at https://mlmillerwrites.com/
Follow me on Twitter @Mark_L_Miller

Want some spooky comics? My two new trade paperback collections of PIROUETTE and GRAVETRANCERS are out now! Please show your support and let your comic shop know you NEED a copy! If they’re out, tell them to order more! 

You can find your local comic shop on the Comic Shop Locator. https://www.comicshoplocator.com/ 

Music Written by Tim Heidecker
Music & Arrangement by Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy https://youtu.be/PDySbxQgZMg
(I do not own this music)