As a connoisseur of all things eerie and spine-chilling, I must say that this list of films featuring the darker side of Christmas has truly piqued my interest. Having grown up with the jolly tales of Santa Claus and reindeers, these movies offer a refreshing twist on the traditional festive stories we’ve come to know.
From our early years, we’ve cherished tales from our parents about a man with a long white beard, dressed in red attire and black boots, accompanied by his nine reindeer and overflowing sack filled with gifts. Yes, Santa Claus – the figure that stirs up Christmas cheer, spreading joy and brightening children’s smiles. Many films during the holiday season incorporate these traditions to weave heartwarming tales centered around Santa Claus’ background, family gatherings, love stories, and more. Nevertheless, not all filmmakers prefer to narrate traditional stories; instead, they strive for something unconventional and thought-provoking.
There are numerous cheerful Santa Claus films that we may have watched and could be looking forward to during the festive season. However, some filmmakers prefer to depart from traditional Christmas narratives and delve into horror genres centered around Kris Kringle. These films challenge conventional beliefs about Christmas and portray Santa as a menacing or distorted character, thus tarnishing our cherished childhood stories and increasing our apprehensions. Here are my recommendations for unconventional Christmas horror movies featuring terrifying Santas.
The Nightmare Before Christmas
In essence, Jack Skellington, the ruler of Halloween Town who carves pumpkins, is growing weary of the repetitive scary rituals and scaring children, as his excitement for Halloween seems to be fading. One day, he discovers a door that takes him to a Christmas town filled with joyous customs, lively people, bright decorations, and of course, Santa Claus. Enchanted by this festive atmosphere, Jack becomes more curious about it and eventually decides to change his own Halloween Town into a Christmas one, even going as far as plotting to capture the genuine Santa Claus.
Tim Burton’s film “The Nightmare Before Christmas” is another well-loved, lively story that showcases his unique fascination with the holiday season. This imaginative and whimsical stop-motion movie brings together Halloween and Christmas themes in a single tale, which is quite unusual. It also features a dark character being captivated by something bright, a situation not often portrayed. Despite its eerie undertones, it makes for an enjoyable watch during both spooky and joyful seasons. The visual effects and musical scores played a significant role in creating an atmosphere that encompassed both festive occasions while also expressing Jack and Sally’s emotions through poignant lyrics. To this day, this Oscar-nominated movie (for Visual Effects) continues to be a timeless animated classic, offering a blend of horror, humor, romance, celebration, and fantasy.
Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale
As a devoted admirer, I’d like to share that “Rare Exports,” inspired by a 2003 short film, unfolds with a research team delving into archaeology in Korvanturi. Meanwhile, local lads Pietari and Juuso watch the team’s activities, unaware that they’re dealing with a Santa Claus tomb unearthed beneath their feet. As children vanish mysteriously and reindeer are brutally killed, Pietari and his father find themselves in a desperate race against time to shield the villagers and themselves from the ominous, malevolent side of the jolly old Saint Nick.
Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale is an underappreciated gem that offers a fresh perspective on Finnish folklore by presenting a unique take on Santa Claus, who is portrayed as more focused on punishing naughty children rather than being kind. The film stands out as a chilling Christmas horror story because it skillfully merges elements of folk tales and slasher movies, depicting wicked elves armed with dangerous tools and kidnapping kids. Against the picturesque backdrop of its landscapes, the movie abandons the common campy humor often found in such stories, opting instead for a genuine dark humor that permeates the tense narrative.
Deadly Games (1989)
Perilous Pursuits
This film, often likened to Home Alone due to its kid-led storyline and similar premise, released a year later, is actually quite distinct. While Home Alone leans more towards humor, this one delves into suspense and terror, featuring a cunning child battling a sinister Santa Claus. The narrative unfolds like a thrilling game of cat-and-mouse, complete with gripping action sequences, intelligent traps, and humorous moments. Brigitte Fossey delivers an authentic portrayal as the resourceful child who employs his wit to protect his family from this menacing Santa Claus figure.
Sint
Tired of Bishop Niklas and his group’s relentless crimes such as killings and robberies, the villagers decide to act themselves, resulting in their deaths on December 5th, unknowingly setting the stage for their spirits to come back and haunt them. Instead, the people celebrate Sinterklaas tradition and convince their children about the existence of Father Christmas, a benevolent figure who bestows gifts upon kids. However, when December 5 falls under a full moon each year, Saint Nicholas is said to appear, not to bring joy but to kidnap and murder children instead.
The film “Sint” introduces us to the Dutch custom of Sinterklaas, an event somewhat akin to Christmas where Saint Nicholas-like figure bestows gifts on children on December 5th. However, instead of maintaining the longstanding tradition, this movie presents an unsettling premise by depicting Sinterklaas as a terrifying and violent figure ready to initiate a grisly massacre. The makeup and special effects teams deserve praise for creating a visually striking image of a mutilated face that is both frightening, disgusting, and comical at the same time. Director Dick Maas, known for his critically acclaimed Dutch horror productions, skillfully executes this film.
Krampus
In a rephrased manner:
In contrast to the conventional portrayal of Santa as a murderer, the movie “Krampus” deviates by focusing on Krampus, the malevolent counterpart of Saint Nicholas, who metes out punishment to naughty children. The film boasts a robust cast featuring Toni Collette, known for her role in “Hereditary,” as well as Adam Scott from “Parks & Recreation” and Emjay Anthony from “Bad Moms.” Each delivers compelling performances in their respective roles. The plot revolves around a familiar situation of tumultuous family gatherings, but introduces an unusual spin by weaving it into a fantastical narrative filled with unexpected twists, horror elements, imaginative deaths, and comedic relief.
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2024-12-17 20:15