Young Max (Emjay Anthony) is barely hanging on to the belief in Santa Claus and the magic of Christmas. However, the actions of his dysfunctional and insensitive family are the final straw this year, and he tears up his letter to Santa and gives up on hope for the traditional family holiday he used to know. Those actions unknowingly unleash the wrath of Krampus: a demonic force of ancient evil intent on punishing non-believers. A bizarre blizzard knocks out any contact from the outside world and this family is targeted by Krampus and his evil minions to pay for their lack of festiveness. Only Max's Grandmother "Omi" seems to know what is really happening and tries to warn the family. But is it too late?
Cast
Adam Scott as Tom
Toni Collette as Sarah
David Koechner as Howard
Allison Tolman as Linda
Conchata Ferrell as Aunt Dorothy
Emjay Anthony as Max
Stefania LaVie Owen as Beth
Krista Stadler as Omi
Who will like this:
As a "not too scary/not gory/not too funny" kind of movie, it makes for a good date movie. Something that couples in a relationship who just want to get out of the house or young dating sweethearts can go see. It's in the same category as the movie "Drag me to Hell".
Phantom Thoughts
I will start off by saying this: the idea of making a movie about the German mythology of "Krampus" who is supposed to be the shadow of Santa Claus, is intriguing to say the least. It has all the makings of telling a good horror story that is set on such a joyful time of year.
This is not that movie. In fact, I have no idea what they were thinking when the studio put this thing together. As a horror movie, there were very little scares. There was some build up to set up for a good scare, but no pay off. There was no gore or even the implication of gore that makes a good horror movie successful. The funny moments to break the tension was not very humorous and extremely few and far between. Michael Dougherty, who directed and co-wrote this movie obviously just didn't know what he was doing. Apparently, Legendary Studios didn't take heed on his OTHER holiday "horror" movie "Trick 'r' Treat" that never even made it to theaters and was released on video.
Krampus' helpers were not to menacing either. Aside from the Jack-in-the-Box, which had good potential, the killer, badly CGI-ed Gingerbread Men, the Teddy Bear and the "I-wanna-be-as-scary-as-Annabelle-but-I'm-not" Angel were just laughable. There were mysterious, creepy snowmen that appeared on the front lawn of the family's house that were never explained, nor were they ever a threat. The Krampus elves were nothing more than left over Mardi Gras masks worn by cloaked characters who didn't add any depth either.
The main issue I had also was....I was ROOTING for Krampus. The family members had no redeeming qualities and at no point did I feel bad that they were being picked off one by one. In fact, whenever someone survived an attack, I was disappointed. Usually if you start off with assholes who are the main focus of a movie, they go through an awakening to see the error of their ways and make you want them to be saved to make things right. Unfortunately, the only ones I had any feeling of wanting to save was the little boy Max and his Grandmother "Oni". I even wanted the obligatory baby they threw in there to be an appetizer for the monsters coming to get them.
But the biggest disappointment was Krampus himself. There are plenty of reference materials to draw from to bring this character to life. The silhouette seen at first was promising, the horns sprouting out from a slumped over cloaked figure and draped in chains down to his hooves was impressive. But when the face of evil was finally revealed....well....it can only be described as a demented Santa who was suffering the effects of a stroke. The gaping mouth was a bit disturbing at first glance, but as it continues to stay open the rest of the movie, just makes it look like a guy in a mask.
The ending is purposely confusing as well. It's suppose to make you think and try to come up with what "really" happened. But at that point, I just didn't care anymore. But I'll save you the trouble: sometimes what you wish for becomes your own personal Hell. There. Now you don't have to see it.
Until next time, I'll see you in the center seat!
