Krampus

Krampus

David Hahner, Staff Writer

Nothing says the holidays like demonic creatures and Christmas traditions murdering people. Krampus brings the old folk lore of an anti-Santa to life! This horror fantasy takes what brings yuletide cheers into yuletide fears! The story is about a dysfunctional family and their relatives coming in for the holidays. A workaholic dad (played by Adam Scott), an over stressed mom (Toni Collette), her worried sister (Allison Tolman), a tough and drunk step-brother (David Koechner), a miserable aunt (mother’s side (Conchata Ferrel)), a mysterious and quiet grandmother (father’s side (Krista Stadler)), five naughty children, a baby, and a dog make up this hellish reunion. A young boy named Max (Emjay Anthony) wants to have a peaceful Christmas with his family like it once was in years past. Giving up hope he tears up his letter to Santa Claus and loses all of his Christmas spirit. Doing this summons the Krampus, a half goat, half man spirit who is the dark shadow of St. Nicholas, not giving what is loved, but instead takes. The creature and its holiday minions including elves, various toys, and adorably horrifying gingerbread men dispatches each of the family members one by one. With the incite from his strange grandmother who experienced the same horrors when she was a child, Max and his family come together and tries to survive Christmas Eve night.

An idea like this is nothing short of ridiculous, which is what I think makes Krampus very entertaining! This movie could have easily been made as a straight foreword comedy, but instead director Michael Doughetry, who brought 2007’s Trick or Treat, executed the film in the style of a horror movie. With low lighting, sharp close-ups, quick editing, chilling music, and even stop-motion animation, it feels like anything but a traditional Christmas flick. That’s not to say this movie is all that scary. It manages to throw a couple of quick jump scares, disturbing images, and eerie surrounding shots, but isn’t one to leave you screaming. In fact Krampus is more funny than scary, mainly for some of its over-the-top moments and its crudely hilarious side characters. All the actors play their generic roles very naturally and are actually entertaining when they react with one another. The many killers like a Jack-in-a-Box, an angel, and a teddy bear are scary to look at but you can’t help but at least chuckle for their absurdity. One thing audiences don’t get enough of is the Krampus itself, and when it shows up it just stands and looks creepy which was quite disappointing. Other than that, the movie is subtlety and abnormally comedic with dark twists to make it a weird holiday film.

If you’re looking for a really scary movie this season, Krampus sadly doesn’t deliver the scares. But if you are one who enjoys a dark comedy thriller, especially about something as light-hearted as Christmas, Krampus is the movie for you. It is not for everyone but as for myself, I definitely enjoyed it. Just remember when you see it to be good for goodness sake.