Krampus, the Michael Dougherty Christmas horror comedy of 2015, has become a streaming hit months before the holiday season. Though it’s not exactly timely, the film sits in the ninth spot in Netflix‘s top 10 list of most popular films in the United States. Other titles currently on the list include KPop Demon Hunters, Madea’s Destination Wedding, and Happy Gilmore.
In Krampus, a small boy named Max is about to get the surprise of a lifetime. His family is quite dysfunctional, but this doesn’t stop them from making plans for the holidays. His family, from his mother’s side, visits the Engels for Christmas, and Max’s cousins make fun of the boy because he still believes in Santa Claus. Max is a purist and loves Christmas unlike anyone else.
Naturally, when family traditions are overshadowed by the family’s squabbles, Max gets upset. In a fit of rage, he rips his letter to Santa Claus into pieces, and declares he doesn’t like Christmas anymore. That very same night, the Engels home falls under a heavy blizzard that brings something otherworldly with it: the exact opposite of Santa Claus. The Rotten Tomatoes synopsis reads as follows:
While the holiday season represents the most magical time of year, ancient European folklore warns of Krampus, a horned beast who punishes naughty children at Christmastime. When dysfunctional family squabbling causes young Max (Emjay Anthony) to lose his festive spirit, it unleashes the wrath of the fearsome demon. As Krampus lays siege to the Engel home, mom (Toni Collette), pop (Adam Scott), sister (Stefania LaVie Owen) and brother must band together to save one another from a monstrous fate.
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Upon release, Krampus grossed over $61 million from a $15 million production budget. It wasn’t acclaimed by critics, but still earned a solid Rotten Tomatoes score of 66%. The audience score sits lower at 52%. All ratings aside, it is one of the best Christmas horror selections horror fans can add to their annual holiday watchlist. The film features an impressive cast that includes Toni Collette, Adam Scott, Emjay Anthony, David Koechner, Conchata Ferrell, and Allison Tolman, among others.
‘Krampus’ Is an Essential Christmas Horror Movie Anytime of Year
Max
The Christmas horror subgenre of scary movies has plenty of features to choose from, each with its own level of sadism and humor. Some stand out more than others, of course, and this is how films like Black Christmas, Violent Night, Gremlins, and even Terrifier 3 are now synonymous with a scarier, gorier, and funnier holiday season. However, Krampus deserves to be up there with the best of the best.
The film does a great job of balancing horror and comedy throughout the first half, when it introduces its hilarious and colorful characters, and reveals itself to be a funny horror movie that doesn’t take itself too seriously. From there, once Krampus arrives on screen, the tone darkens dramatically. Bodies start dropping, and the movie tilts heavily into its horror side.
The ending is a wonderful twist that will leave you thinking for a while, and will probably convince you to embrace the Christmas spirit. Otherwise, a creature as horrific as Krampus may come to get you at the most wonderful time of the year.
Source: Flix Patrol
Release Date
December 4, 2015
Runtime
98minutes
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