A Christmas Horror Story (2015) RLJ Entertainment/Horror RT: 99 minutes Rated R (gory horror violence, language, sexual content) Director: Grant Harvey, Steven Hoban and Brett Sullivan Screenplay: James Kee, Sarah Larsen, Doug Taylor and Pascal Trottier Music: Alex Khaskin Cinematography: Gavin Smith Release date: October 2, 2015 (US & VOD) Cast: William Shatner, Zoe De Grand Maison, Alex Ozerov, Shannon Kook, Jessica Clement, Amy Forsyth, Percy Hynes-White, Jeff Clarke, Michelle Nolden, Corinne Conley, Julian Richings, Rob Archer, Adrian Holmes, Olunike Adeliyi, Orion John, Alan C. Peterson, George Buza, Debra McCabe. Box Office: N/A
Rating: ***
Up until this year, I had never heard of Krampus, that malevolent figure of Alpine legend who punishes naughty children on Christmas, kind of an anti-Santa Claus. This season, he’s figured prominently into two horror movies, Krampus and A Christmas Horror Story.
The first title can currently be seen at a multiplex near you; it’s actually doing pretty good business. The second can be seen on VOD right now (it had a limited theatrical release in October). It’s an anthology movie consisting of four interwoven stories, all set in the small bucolic town of Bailey Downs on Christmas Eve. That the town is named for the protagonist of It’s a Wonderful Life should tell you all you need to know about the humorously warped mentality behind A Christmas Horror Story. Not only is it darkly funny at times, one story in particular, it’s also generous with the violence and gore. It even has a few decent scares. It also features William Shatner (Star Trek) as an increasingly inebriated radio DJ presiding over the bloody goings-on and ranting about the true meaning of Christmas while pulling a double shift at the local radio station. Shatner, that’s a deal maker right there!
In the first tale, a group of teenagers- Molly (Maison, Orphan Black), Ben (Ozerov) and Dylan (Kook, The Conjuring)- sneak into their school to film their investigation of two murders that took place in the basement exactly one year ago. They get locked in the basement; Molly starts acting strangely. Their friend Caprice (Forsyth) was supposed to join them, but she got roped into visiting an elderly relative with her insufferable family- Dad (Clarke, Mad Men), Mom (Nolden, RED) and younger brother Duncan (White, Murdoch Mysteries). Reclusive Aunt Edda (Conley) wasn’t expecting guests, so they’re not exactly welcome. While there, Duncan purposely breaks a glass figurine of Krampus prompting her to throw them out. En route home, they get stuck in the snow after narrowing avoiding hitting something that ran in front of the car. As they try to get somewhere safe, Krampus starts picking them off one at a time. That’s the second story.
The third centers on the police officer, Scott (Holmes, Elysium), left traumatized by the murders at the school. He and his family- wife Kim (Adeliyi, Flashpoint) and young son Will (John)- illegally chop down a Christmas tree and pay for it dearly when Will starts behaving strangely after getting lost in the woods. Meanwhile, at the North Pole, Santa (Peterson, Sucker Punch) finds himself fighting off zombie elves on his busiest night of the year. Yes, you read that right, zombie elves. How can I not like A Christmas Horror Story?
Remember the “one of these things doesn’t belong here” bit from Sesame Street? That’s what I was thinking of with that fourth tale of holiday terror. How does that tie in with the rest of A Christmas Horror Story? Well, I’m not going to tell you, but I will say it’s actually clever.
Usually with anthology movies, there’s one story that’s weaker than the rest. That’s not the case with A Christmas Horror Story. All of the stories are pretty good. Okay, the first story is standard teens being stalked by some unknown force stuff. If forced to pick a weak link, that would be it. But it holds up because of the narrative. I like how the makers intertwine the stories. Rather than telling one tale at a time, they intercut them with each other. Some say that it undermines the movie’s ability to generate any real suspense. I disagree. I think it works rather well. It keeps you interested in the movie; you want to see how they’re going to bring it all together at the end.
The gore and makeup effects are very good, especially in the North Pole sequence. It’s a total bloodbath! That’s the kind of scary movie I like. It’s also the funniest story of the bunch. The acting is no great shakes. The only performances that stand out are Peterson as Santa and, of course, Shatner. Why? Because he’s Shatner, that’s why!
I had a great deal of fun watching A Christmas Horror Story. It’s one of the most twisted Christmas movies I’ve ever seen. It ranks right alongside Gremlins, the cult favorite Christmas Evil, Silent Night, Deadly Night and The Nutcracker in 3D. I do believe I’ve acquired another annual Christmas film.
