Krampus Christmas horror comedy a creepy surprise hit
Tale of evil anti-Santa who preys on misery is a welcome respite from sickly-sweet Christmas tales
Christmas horror comedy Krampus, about an evil anti-Santa Claus, has been a surprise hit with US movie-goers, but will British audiences warm to this darkly whimsical film?
Krampus, directed by Michael Dougherty (Trick 'r' Treat), stars Adam Scott and Toni Collette. It is based on a Finnish film (Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale), in turn inspired by an Alpine legend, about an anti-Santa Claus who punishes rather than rewards.
A dysfunctional family, with Scott and Collette as Mum and Dad, become disillusioned with the holiday season, opening the door for the cloven-hoofed Krampus and his evil minions to wreak havoc on their snow-bound community.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Reviews for the film have been mixed, but the "bizarre" PG-13 rated film (15 certificate in UK) struck "a creepy chord" with holiday moviegoers in the US, says The Wrap, surprising the movie business with its No 1 box-office opening in the US last Friday.
Many US critics had predicted an uninspiring run for the film, which was released in the traditionally quiet post-Thanksgiving period.
By opening during this "dead time", Krampus "will probably be confined to box-office leftovers", said Frank Scheck in the Hollywood Reporter. He was also uncertain about the broad appeal of the film.
Despite its PG-13 rating, the movie is "surprisingly intense" and "strongly emphasises the horror elements", said Scheck. He called the film a "strange hybrid that doesn't quite work", adding that it lacks the "antic, witty humour" of something like Gremlins, or the "full-out gore of a traditional horror flick".
Others have praised the film as a refreshing change from the usual Christmas fare.
Mark Kermode in The Guardian writes that this "bump-in-the-night-before Christmas horror is a much-needed antidote to the seasonal glut of cinematic sentimentality".
Kermode says the film may prove "too tonally uneven for the mainstream palate" but those who "fancy a bit of hellfire on their Christmas pudding will find this a welcome respite from the seasonal diet of intestine-clogging goo".
Geoffrey Macnab in The Independent says Krampus is "by a considerable distance the best of this week's Christmas movies", but admits, "that isn't saying much".
Macnab adds that the 15 certificate may scare off some families, but Krampus, he says, is "a Christmas film with an enjoyably barbed edge".
Kevin Maher in The Times is not a fan, calling Krampus a "dumb Hollywood version" of the "charming" original Finnish film.
The family in Krampus is made up of "mostly repellent characters", says Maher, so when the evil Santa monster eventually comes calling, "we're positively cheering him on, begging him to finish them off and end the entire sorry mess".
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'Voters know Biden and Trump all too well'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Is the Gaza war tearing US university campuses apart?
Today's Big Question Protests at Columbia University, other institutions, pit free speech against student safety
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
DOJ settles with Nassar victims for $138M
Speed Read The settlement includes 139 sexual abuse victims of the former USA Gymnastics doctor
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
The Westbury Hotel review: stunning suites in charming Dublin
The Week Recommends This hotel is the perfect spot to while away a weekend in Ireland's capital
By Kaye O'Doherty Published
-
Drama movies 2024: new films out this year
In Depth Latest reviews include The Boys in the Boat, One Life and Tchaikovsky's Wife
By The Week UK Last updated
-
Best new hotels and places to stay in 2024
The Week Recommends Featuring stylish island resorts, historical properties and wilderness retreats
By The Week UK Last updated
-
Albums of the year: best music of 2023
The Week Recommends A look back at the best pop, rap, jazz, dance, classical and rock releases
By The Week UK Published
-
The celebrity winners of 2023
Why everyone's talking about Girl power's still got it as Taylor Swift, Barbie and Britney all come out on top
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Christmas songs: where are the new hits?
Talking Point The internet, the music industry and a 'generational effect' make us return to the same old festive classics again and again
By The Week UK Published
-
Savoy Grill by Gordon Ramsay review: an institution reinvented
The Week Recommends Traditions are maintained and the tweaks are clever and modern
By Neil Davey Published
-
Tulum: a Mexican beach town of 'two halves'
The Week Recommends With the 'pueblo' and 'Zona Hotelera', Tulum is home to great hotels, restaurants and beach clubs
By William Leigh Published