June 30, 2025 The Newspaper Serving LGBT Los Angeles

Queer Holiday Horror Film Carnage for Christmas Opens October 18 at Lumiere Cinema in Beverly Hills

Director Vera Drew Will Moderate a Q&A with Alice Maio Mackay on Friday at 8:00 p.m.

Dark Star Pictures is set to release Carnage for Christmas, a queer holiday horror film directed by Alice Maio Mackay, on digital and on-demand platforms starting October 22. The film follows Lola, a transgender true-crime podcaster, as she returns to her conservative hometown for Christmas for the first time since transitioning. Her homecoming turns sinister when the vengeful spirit of a notorious murderer, long considered an urban legend, reemerges and begins a new killing spree.

Directed by Mackay, a 20-year-old trans filmmaker known for her previous work on T Blockers, the film blends horror and camp in a unique way. Carnage for Christmas also features the talents of genre artist Vera Drew (The People’s Joker), who served as the editor and visual effects artist.

A special screening of the film will take place on Friday, October 18 at 8:00 p.m. at the Lumiere Cinema at the Music Hall at 9036 Wilshire Boulevard, at Wilshire and Doheny, in Beverly Hills. In a rare stateside appearance, the film’s director Alice Maio MacKay will take part in a Q&A at the screening moderated by director Vera Drew (The People’s Joker).

You can purchase tickets for the screening here

The official synopsis teases a dark holiday thriller, as Lola grapples with her hometown’s reaction to her transition while facing off against a masked killer known as “The Toymaker,” who is tied to a haunting legend from the town’s past.

You can watch the trailer for the film here:


5The film boasts an ensemble cast including Jeremy Moineau, Dominique Booth, Zarif, Olivia Deeble, Joe Romeo, and Betsey Brown. Carnage for Christmas has already made waves on the festival circuit, screening at prestigious events such as Fantasia Film Festival, Frameline, Inside Out, and FrightFest.

Related Posts

Tens of Thousands Defy Ban at Budapest Pride as Hungary Cracks Down on LGBTQ+ Rights

June 29, 2025

June 29, 2025

Marchers Risk Fines and Jail Under New Law Targeting LGBTQ+ Gatherings Tens of thousands marched through the streets of Budapest...

California Judge Rules FAIR Plan’s Smoke Damage Policy Unlawful

June 29, 2025

June 29, 2025

Court Says Wildfire Insurance Program Illegally Denied Claims Legal protections for California homeowners took a step forward this week after...

(Video) Culver City Residents and City and County Leaders Rally for Disappeared Ice Cream Man Ambrocio “Enrique” Lozano

June 29, 2025

June 29, 2025

US Representative for California’s 37th Congressional District, Sydney Kamlager-Dove Speaks About What is happening to the disappeared.

Drake Slashes Price on Beverly Hills Estate to $79 Million Amid Market Slowdown

June 29, 2025

June 29, 2025

Price Cut Adds to a Broader Retreat From His Los Angeles Real Estate Holdings. Musician Drake has reduced the price...

Iranian Pastor in West L.A. Speaks as Church Rocked by Immigration Raids 

June 28, 2025

June 28, 2025

Five Detained as Fear Spreads Through Persian Christian Faith Community  Fear has spread through a West Los Angeles congregation after...

Cinespia Brings Fireworks and Fan Favorites to Hollywood Forever This July

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Watch Top Gun, La La Land, and More Under the Stars at Hollywood Forever Cinespia, Los Angeles’ iconic outdoor movie...

LGBTQ State Senator Scott Wiener Signals Bid to Succeed Pelosi in Congress

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Wiener Files Paperwork to Run for California’s 11th District in 2028 State Sen. Scott Wiener, a prominent Democrat representing San...

California Doubles Down on Hollywood: $750M in Tax Credits Approved for Film and TV Industry

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

State Lawmakers Back Major Expansion of Production Incentives, Raising Job Projections Los Angeles’ film and television industry is poised to...

Corporate Pride Pullback: Major Brands Scale Down LGBTQ+ Support Under Trump’s Second Term

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Mastercard, Target, and Others Retreat From High-Profile Campaigns as Federal Policy Shifts Shifts in federal policy under President Donald Trump’s...

Community Seeks Answers After SF Drag Performer Detained by ICE

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Hilary Rivers Vanished After a Scheduled Immigration Appointment Members of San Francisco’s queer and trans communities gathered outside the local...

EEEEEATSCON Los Angeles Returns with Star Chefs, Firefighter Tribute, and Wildfire Relief Efforts

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Culinary Festival Features Exclusive Restaurant Collabs, Support for Small Businesses  EEEEEATSCON Los Angeles, the celebrated food festival curated by The...

Supporters to Gather This Weekend for Longtime Culver City Paleta Seller Held in Detention

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Family and Neighbors Will Gather Sunday to Sell Paletas and Raise Funds Supporters will gather this Sunday at Veterans Park...

Demolition Underway at Beverly Grove Squatter Site After Mystery Fire Renews Safety Fears

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Crews Begin Tearing Down Long-Vacant Apartments on First and Flores  Demolition has begun at a group of long-abandoned apartment buildings...

Indian Court Affirms Legal Protections for Transgender Women in Marriages

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Andhra Pradesh High Court Rejected Reproductive Ability Arguments  The Andhra Pradesh High Court has upheld the right of a transgender...

San Francisco Bookstore Drops J.K. Rowling Titles Over Trans Rights Controversy

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Booksmith Cites Author’s Advocacy Against Transgender Inclusion as Reason San Francisco’s Booksmith bookstore has removed all works by J.K. Rowling,...