‘Advent’ Brings Festive Chills This November

Get ready for a holiday experience like no other, as Advent, the latest festive horror from director Airell Anthony Hayles (Werewolf Santa, Midnight Peepshow), is set to make your Christmas countdown more terrifying than merry. Following its much-anticipated World Premiere at Pigeon Shrine FrightFest Halloween, Advent will be available on digital platforms from 25 November, courtesy of Miracle Media.

Advent is not your typical holiday tale. With a dark twist inspired by the disturbing true events surrounding the infamous Blue Whale Challenge—a viral social media “game” that coerced participants into completing increasingly dangerous tasks—this film adds a supernatural edge to an already sinister premise. Hayles takes the idea of a deadly game and wraps it around the festive tradition of the advent calendar, transforming it into a harrowing thriller.

The film stars a strong cast, including Mark Arnold (Blade Runner 2049), Nicholas Vince (Hellraiser, How to Kill Monsters), Cory Peterson (Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them), Rasina Pavlova, and Cian Lorcan (Werewolf Santa). Each actor brings intensity and depth to the story of a social media influencer who opens a mysterious advent calendar live on YouTube, only to find that each door reveals a new twisted challenge. What starts as a curiosity-driven stunt quickly spirals into chaos, as the tasks escalate and the influencer’s grasp on reality weakens.

As each door opens, the stakes rise. Viewers are drawn into a chilling countdown to Christmas, where the boundaries between the digital and supernatural blur, creating a gripping and suspenseful atmosphere. With its unique blend of folklore, urban legends, and the sinister influence of modern technology, Advent taps into contemporary fears while delivering a story of supernatural horror.

The central character, an influencer driven by an obsession with urban legends, finds herself at the mercy of this haunted advent calendar. As the twisted dares grow increasingly macabre, she faces challenges that test her sanity and threaten her very existence. Will she survive until Boxing Day, or will the horrors lurking behind each door claim her before the Christmas bells ring?

Advent is positioned to become a standout among Christmas horror films, offering a fresh take on holiday frights. With a growing fanbase for seasonal horrors, this film adds an unsettling layer to the genre, tapping into both traditional ghost stories and contemporary psychological terror. Airell Anthony Hayles’s direction ensures that the tension never lets up, creating a sense of impending doom with each new reveal from the cursed calendar.

With its FrightFest Halloween premiere set for 1 November and a digital release following on 25 November, Advent promises to deliver a thrilling ride into festive fear.

Advent trailer