★ 3 / 10
Is awful-but not the worst holiday horror movie I've seen
kevin_robbins
I recently watched Elf in the Hood (2024) on Tubi. The storyline follows a down-on-their-luck couple who discover an elf figurine they believe to be a valuable…
I recently watched Elf in the Hood (2024) on Tubi. The storyline follows a down-on-their-luck couple who discover an elf figurine they believe to be a valuable heirloom. Hoping to sell it for quick cash, they accidentally awaken the creature, unleashing a killing spree on Christmas Eve.This picture is written and directed by Jamaal Burden (Elves) and stars Michele Chavez (I Heart Robots), Sabina Gavrilov (Snare), and Taylor Latham (The Aftermath).The acting is rough, the concept feels lazy, and the writing doesn't offer much. However, the gore is solid from start to finish and was definitely a pleasant surprise. The opening scene is far more graphic than expected, and there's an impressively executed face-peel kill that stands out. The elf's voice is hilariously over-the-top, and the dialogue overall is wild in a way that almost works.In conclusion, Elf in the Hood is awful-but not the worst holiday horror movie I've seen. I'd score it 3/10 and only recommend it if you go in with the right expectations.
Read full review
★ 1 / 10
TheMovieSearch
Elf in the Hood is marketed as a horror film, but it fails to deliver on even the most basic elements of the genre. It isn't frightening, sinister…
Elf in the Hood is marketed as a horror film, but it fails to deliver on even the most basic elements of the genre. It isn't frightening, sinister, psychological, or even a slasher-style horror movie. Instead, it leans heavily on the gimmick of a creepy elf toy, but the concept never finds its footing or edge.I'll give credit to the director for at least attempting to make something, since everyone has to start somewhere. Whether this was their first film or just another project, the effort is clear-but the execution leaves a lot to be desired. If this is intended as a showcase of their future potential, though, it's disappointing to see such a weak product as the result.The writing is where the film really unravels. The story is incoherent, riddled with extreme plot holes, and the dialogue is painfully rough. As I watched, I kept trying to make sense of how the story was supposed to unfold, but the more it went on, the clearer it became that the movie just doesn't work. Unfortunately, it's simply a bad film.The title alone, Elf in the Hood, raised concerns for me before I even pressed play. Anytime the phrase "in the hood" is used, Hollywood often leans on racial stereotypes-depicting drugs, gangs, and African-American culture in a negative light. This isn't new. For instance, Leprechaun in the Hood turned a once scary franchise villain into a joke by having him smoke weed and play into stereotypes. Similarly, Elf in the Hood feels like it exploits racial depictions rather than offering a clever twist on the horror genre.That said, I do applaud the actors for committing to their roles. Regardless of how flawed the script or production was, they still brought what they could to the project. Unfortunately, their performances weren't enough to save the film.In the end, Elf in the Hood is a project I wouldn't revisit, rewatch, or recommend. It had potential to be a fun and creative low-budget horror flick, but instead, it reinforces harmful stereotypes and delivers a messy, unscary experience that leaves you wishing the filmmakers had taken a different path.
Read full review
★ 3 / 10
But why...?
paul_m_haakonsen
Without ever having heard about this 2024 horror movie titled "Elf in the Hood", as I stumbled upon it by sheer chance here in 2025, and given my love of all…
Without ever having heard about this 2024 horror movie titled "Elf in the Hood", as I stumbled upon it by sheer chance here in 2025, and given my love of all things horror, of course I opted to check out the movie. I have to admit, though, that given the movie's title, then I didn't harbor the biggest of expectations to the movie.The storyline and script in the movie wasn't particularly good, nor overly entertaining. Writer and director Jamaal Burden just didn't deliver a particularly wholesome horror experience here.I was not familiar with a single actress or actor on the cast list. And that was actually a good thing, as I do enjoy watching new and unfamiliar talents on the screen. The acting performances in the movie were fair.Something that surprised me about the movie was the gory effects, as they were actually not bad. The doll-like creature, elf or whatever it was supposed to be, well that just didn't work for me, as I couldn't take it, it's actions, talk, etc. Serious.Would I recommend you to waste, and I do mean waste, 76 minutes on this movie? Nope. There are far, far better horror movies readily available out there. Nor is it a movie that I will ever return to watch a second time, as it was enough of a struggle to sit through it the first time.My rating of writer and director Jamaal Burden's 2024 movie "Elf in the Hood" lands on a generous three out of ten stars.
Read full review
80%
AUDIENCE
3.1/10
97
•••
These comments are always filled w/ keyboard thugs that are only brave online. LOL