I can still remember spending the final few months of my mother's life at her bedside, Hallmark Channel movies in the background and her occasionally lucidity filled with sentimental remembrances and learning how to let go. 

So then, you can imagine my delightful surprise to see writer/director Adam Raynes's Hallmark-themed indie short Cookies for Christmas with all the things we've come to love, or hate, about those films. 

Now then, if you know that other side of me then you're likely already giggling at my punchline. A childhood filled with trauma and without a single holiday memory because we didn't celebrate Christmas left me with the twisted tradition of watching a Christmas-themed horror film every Christmas morning. 

I've been doing it for years. 

Cookies for Christmas maintains its festive spirit in its opening moments. Lacey (Ashlynn Hideman) is a real estate pro on the rise who has returned to her small town home from New York city with her eyes on selling the old high school - a not so popular ambition. Still, she meets cute with high school pal Matthew (Jason Potter). Matthew is spending his Christmas Eve babysitting Tayler (Kesa Raynes). 

Doesn't this all sound like a beautiful set-up?

Cookies for Christmas, which picked up the prize for Best Colorado Short at the 2024 Pueblo Horror Film Festival, takes an abrupt detour from its Hallmark roots into something decidedly more horrific. Beautifully shot by Carlo Maldonado, Cookies for Christmas has some dastardly delights and some truly dark humor that unfolds in hsi final few moments of its 12-minute running time. While one could easily ask for more to unfold in this fun little film, it's hard to argue with an idea that seems so wonderfully obvious you can't help but wonder why someone hasn't picked up this idea before. 

It helps to have a terrific ensemble cast including a delightful Ashlynn Hideman, the hilariously wholesome Jason Potter's Matthew, and even Kesa Raynes in a brief but important and impressive turn. 

Raynes brings this holiday horror to life in a really fun way and even with Christmas in the rear-view mirror I can imagine this fun little short having a lengthy indie fest run with its impossible to forget vibes. 

Written by Richard Propes
The Independent Critic