You may be thinking that the moment has passed. However, Black Friday as an experience is more ongoing and unending than ever before. Sure, Cyber Monday ensures that the in-between weekend is filled with deals, but it’s even more than that. It carries through, in some way or another, all the way right up until the new year. For a time that offers an abundance of everything, to potentially horrific ends, it’s ironically a day that isn’t often the focus of horror films.

You would think this idea would have already been capitalized on, but it’s mostly only been tapped into for a world-building statement or set dressing; Think the opening montage to 2015’s Krampus, or the climax in the 2019 Child’s Play remake. As a singular vision, it’s been oddly left on the shelves. Especially from the perspective of those who brave its horrors from the opposite end of the cash register. Black Friday, much like the experience it draws its name from, starts strong and gets a little exhaustive by the end. However, with the right expectations, you’ll make it out unscathed, having had a pretty great time.

Some films are exactly what you would want them to be: The well-made version of all you could really hope for. Black Friday sets up a cast of toy store cashiers and floor workers who must hold it down during a siege of otherworldly forces. On paper, this is already an idea you’ll probably gel and be content with if it just fulfills the core promise of wacky, in-store hijinks and horrors on some basic level. It’s kind of like eating a well-cooked turkey: It likely won’t be most people’s favorite meal, but the foundation is there and it’s really just about how it’s dressed up.

When you have a single, confined space to work with, the story and direction really have to provide a lot of flavor. While neither are too innovative, they are equal parts functional and fun here. This is a B-movie through-and-through, so it has self-effacing, overdone zaniness in spades. That said, it’s also admirably willing to invest in believable-enough character drama. There are scenes where nothing wild happens because those involved behind-the-scenes understand you can’t really have those moments without contrasting them with grounded ones.

The *chef’s kiss* is the well-above standard cast for this type of film. As is the case here, good acting can take mediocre writing to great places. Devon Sawa as Ken, who acts as the lead of sorts, strikes a tricky balance of being gruff, abrasive, and likable all at once. Between him and the acting of Michael Jai White, Bruce Campbell playing against type as an unlikeable character, though still squeezing some charm out of it, along with every other major player, there’s a real solid sense of presence and comradery. A special shoutout (in particular) is due to Stephen Peck as Brian, a funnily realized corporate shill who’s great to hate.

Like a thanksgiving meal, a film is a hard thing to pace out. There’s a point where the return-on-investment can stop being as worth it. By the time you are early into the second act, this film has had its fill of the best it has had to offer. Though, what’s a full meal without dessert? Even if it’s just a supermarket cake, there’s still a sugar rush to be had. While Black Friday peters out by the end, it respectably goes for something larger than what preceded it. In an age of settling, maybe there’s still something too stretching for a goal. Exercising after a big meal is important, after all.

Where things go the most metaphorically uncooked is in the editing, but that may just be a reflection of what could be worked with. There’s a choppiness between how plot beats flow, and the natural point where things start and end, that can feel a little out of step. Not enough to leave a bad taste in your mouth, but enough to give you pause. It also carries into how the on-screen villains and gore are showcased, more sparingly than you would like them to be. To lesser notes, some of the jokes are stale though they fit the bill for this type of film, and character’s choices can be bizarre, which again, is not too out of step with what you could expect.

Black Friday is the perfect watch for some post-meal bliss. It’s immensely watchable and not entirely forgettable, but the right amount where if you did take a power nap during it, you could jump right back in. Sometimes all you need is comfort food via media, and this is the best movie you could hope to randomly stumble upon through Tubi or Amazon Prime in a few years, which is only meant in the best way. This is not a film that lost points for doing a bunch of things wrong. If anything, it gets a well-above passing grade for what it wanted to be. It’s just what it wanted to be, not the next Parasite or Godfather, or even Predator for that matter, and that is more than alright now and then.

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Black Friday

6.5

Score

6.5/10

Pros

• Plain ol' fun
• Great casting and performances
• Perfect setting for this time of year
• Knows what it is and is charmingly itself as a result

Cons

• Nothing you haven't seen before
• Story has its uninspired shortcomings
• Lackluster editing