As far as Christmas movies go, the formula hasn’t been rewritten in a long time. Every year, people watch their same old favorites, and new ones don’t exactly represent a twist on the classic narrative structure where, during the holiday season, everyone ends up getting along, Christmas is saved, and jingles play as the credits roll. ‘Tis the season to populate the watchlists with your favorites, whatever genre they’re in.
Horror is always a curious pick forChristmas movies. As distant as both worlds feel, there’s almost a natural relationship audiences have built throughout the years. From the violence-fest that is theSilent Night, Deadly Nightfranchise, to more mainstream picks likeKrampus, Christmas seems like a natural transition from Halloween for fans to indulge in gore extravaganzas to watch on Christmas morning with their loved ones.
There are many iconic horror movies to be seen on Christmas, and while most of them are pretty original, there’s one recently released that will positively change your view of the specific “Christmas horror” subgenre. Joe Begos’Christmas Bloody Christmasis the gory holiday movie you need to see next.
Joe Begos isn’t exactly known for making family-friendly films.Almost Human,Bliss,andVFWwere extremely different from one another, but they all shared the same level of violence and mayhem that Begos seems to naturally incorporate in his films. Nevertheless, inChristmas Bloody Christmas, he changes his own rules and delivers a film so dense that it almost feels invasive. Needless to say, thisChristmas horror filmis unlike any other, and for good reasons. This is why it should be part of this year’s binge. Just put the kids to sleep first.
The following article has spoilers for Christmas Bloody Christmas
Christmas Bloody Christmas
What is Christmas Bloody Christmas About?
It’s Christmas Eve, and Tori Tooms doesn’t have any plans. She just wants to sell some more records in her store, and later she will probably go out on a Tinder date. However, her employee, Robbie, convinces her otherwise. They decide to visit their friends Jay and Lahna, who are spending the night in a toy store where Lahna works. When Tori and Robbie enter the store, a huge Santa Claus android almost greets them with its size and position. After a couple of minutes, Tori and Robbie decide to go somewhere else.
The night continues for them as they continue flirting and drinking and end up in Tori’s apartment. What they’re not aware of is that the robotSanta Claus in the storeis part of a recall program. The android “wakes up” and reverts to its defense system configuration (that’s what it was originally designed for) created by the government. It goes on a murder spree, starting with poor Jay and Lahna, who end up being horribly killed.
The Santa-bot chases after Tori and Robbie, and it enters the home of Tori’s neighbors. Right when it kills a child, Tori sees it, and this is how her escape begins. One Christmas journey where she will have to defend herself against a mean killing machine that appears to be immortal. Tori “Sarah Connor” Tooms will spend one radically different Christmas as Robo-Santa sweeps all living organisms away by using every piece of hardware it can find.
Related:Krampus Director Shares Ideas For Christmas Horror Movie Sequel
How Scary and Gory is Christmas Bloody Christmas?
The gore element inChristmas Bloody Christmasis excessive. The film’s got bodies torn in half, head-crushing, finger-chopping, and shotguns doing their thing. Begos doesn’t usually leave anything to chance, and he’s used to using this very peculiar horror element to his advantage and almost as a character. It helps that, as mindless as Santa looks, he has enough creativity to turn the film intoa slasher spectacle with enough creative killsto make it one of Begos’ best.
It’s not very scary because it doesn’t need to be. The film’s a modern slasher about a killer robot disguised as Santa. Fortunately, Begos steps away from a humor perspective in regards to this character and portrays it as a cold machine with the need to kill. Well, exterminating sounds better. What actually sets the mood and elevates the film above its similar peers is that the director relies heavily on cinematography, art direction, and production design to make us feel part of an impossible world where balance isn’t possible. The setting, filled with black light, fluorescent colors, and dimmed Christmas lights, is omnipresent.
But Begos is also aware of the film he’s making. It may sound too heavy because of howstylish and visually stunningit is, but the script by Begos is also ridden with great dialogue and characterization that makes it almost a pleasure to watch. In fact, the horror part doesn’t actually start until very late in the film, which actually feels like a fortune because of how great Tori’s character is. Her taste, convictions, and confidence make her extremely interesting and almost relevant as a capable final girl who checks all the items on the list as a regular horror character, but one who will also defendFreddy’s Nightmareto death.
Related:It’s a Wonderful Knife Filmmakers on Turning a Christmas Classic Into a Slasher
Christmas Bloody Christmas is a Solid Addition to the Christmas Horror Hall of Fame
It’s definitely adifferent kind of Christmas film, and we can confidently say it’s not for everybody. It requires stomach and patience when it hits the second act, but ultimately,Christmas Bloody Christmashas enough horror spirit to keep you hooked as you evidence its linear story about a killer Santa wreaking havoc in a small town. The same dumb cops, the same problems with continuity and physics, the same questionable actions by potential victims. This one has everything you’re looking for in a horror film.
What’s very important about the film is that Joe Begos' evolution as a filmmaker is notable. No longer does he subject audiences to gritty filmmaking that makes little sense. This time he takes his own concept, one he pitched in the idea of aSilent Night, Deadly Nightremake, and makes a film that feels complete and has a very solid narrative structure. It’s centered around a single character, the brave Tori, but at least she has enough of a drive and dramatic presence to support the entire film on her shoulders.
Begos also takes some time to deliver what he does best. And that’s the most original aspect ofChristmas Bloody Christmas.Horror movies usually rely on lightweight charactersthat feel like meat sent directly to the grinder. In Begos' film, he lets them simmer in a pop culture celebration of tidbits that will feel refreshing and hilarious. It was sad to see what happened to Robbie, not because of the way he was killed, but because he really connected with Tori on an emotional level.
Christmas Bloody Christmasis theperfectgory killer robot Santa film. Not only because it’s based on a completely absurd storyline, but because that completely absurd story is well-executed by one of modern horror’s most underrated directors. There’s no way Christmas horror fans won’t cheer on Eggnog as Robo-Santa wields an ax while using its laser eyes to detect its next victim.
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We invite you to stay in the mood for Christmas movies with the following video about the best Christmas movies with incredible casts:
