Starring: Adam Scott,
Toni Collette, David Koechner, Allison Tolman, Conchata Ferrill, Emjay Anthony
and Krista Stadler
Rated: PG-13
Genre: Horror /
Horror-Comedy
A disillusioned young boy, fed up with his dysfunctional
family, loses his faith in the spirit of Christmas. He gives up hope that he
will ever have another enjoyable Christmas with his family and turns his back
on the season. In doing so, he unwittingly unleashes the demonic evil spirit
Krampus upon himself and his family. Krampus arrives to take from and punish
those who don't believe.
I didn't know what to expect going into this film. I knew
that I liked the cast, enjoyed the trailer and thought the subject matter would
be interesting. I was hesitant due to the PG-13 rating, as that often tends to
water down what could be a great film. Fortunately, that was not the case with Krampus.
The film opens to a satirical, but sadly, not that
exaggerated, Black Friday mob scene to the tune of "It's Beginning to Look
a lot Like Christmas" and continues at a upbeat pace, combining horror and
comedy, until the credits roll. This film has a lot to say about the modern
family's view of the Christmas season and doesn't try to sugar coat it. The
people in this film have lost the aspect of enjoying the company of loved ones
during the Holidays to a consumer-driven, resent-filled feeling of obligation
to buy numerous gifts and put on perfect celebrations for family and friends.
Krampus comes to town to remind everyone of what really matters this time of
year.
I really cared about Max, the boy who finally gives up on
having a happy holiday. He loves the season and tries to keep the magic alive,
even though he knows he's too old to believe in Santa. His only friend is his
Omi, who communicates with him in German. His cousins either tease and torture
him or do not speak to him at all. It is after his cousins Jordan and Stevie
humiliate him at dinner that he finally loses all hope and love for the
Christmas season.
My next favorite character was Omi. She has a true affection
for Max and does what she can to comfort him when his parents cannot or will not
do so. She is wise and willing to sacrifice herself to protect her family.
The only other standout character was Tom, Max's father, who
seems a little weak and tied to his job at the beginning of the film, but
really comes through as the terror of Krampus begins to unfold. He never second
guesses the need to protect his family and will stop at nothing to keep them
safe - even the family members he doesn't like very much.
The rest of the characters weren't very likable and really
had to work for me to want them to survive. Max's mother, Sarah, is the
stereotypical yuppie perfectionist Mom that keeps her house perfect and serves
gourmet dinners every night. Her sister, Linda, and brother-in-law, Howard are
the exact opposite - beer guzzling, junk food loving, gun toting, football
worshiping rednecks with a brood of misbehaving children. Howard favors his
son, Howie, Jr., and seems to wish his daughters were also born boys. Stevie and Jordan, Howard and Linda's older
daughters, are bratty little jerks and I wanted so badly to reach through the
screen and knock their heads together. Howie Jr. did nothing but sit around,
eat and look dumb - a useless lump that Howard has placed on a pedestal.
Rounding out the herd of children is Max's sister Beth, who isn't in the movie
much, but is the only other decent child over the age of two. Lastly we have
Aunt Dorothy, the bitter, alcohol swigging spinster, who appears just to be at
the festivities to antagonize everyone. She does have some great lines and a moment
of badassery, however.
The film was very well-acted and well-cast. Everyone fit
their roles well, with standout performances by Krista Stadler as Omi and
Conchata Ferrill as Aunt Dorothy. The entire cast managed to play the film straight,
even in the more darkly comedic scenes, making them more believable despite the
ridiculous level the film reached in places.
There isn't much for blood and gore, but that is made up for
by a great creepy atmosphere and an assorted array of horrific looking
villains. The horror begins during a blizzard with white-out conditions. The
characters can barely see a foot in front of them and have to cling to each
other when outside so no one gets lost in the snow. The vehicles on the road and
neighboring houses are found abandoned and iced over, the rest of the
population seeming to have disappeared overnight. There is no power in the home
or phone service due to the storm, so the house is lit by the fire in the
hearth and candles or flashlights. Lastly, more and more menacing-looking
snowmen keep popping up in the yard in front of the house. This isolated,
creepy atmosphere creates a tense backdrop for the initial chase sequence,
adding a foreboding feeling to an already suspenseful scene.
Krampus may be the main antagonist, but he is far from alone
in his reign of terror on Max's family. What were once harmless children's toys
become twisted, vicious killers that attack, and in some cases, eat, members of
the family. Gingerbread cookies are probably the most darkly comedic as they
come to life and lure family members to their doom. Then there's the unseen
monster under the snow that will gobble up a person in seconds and the demented
looking elves that act as soldiers for Krampus himself. Krampus is disturbing to look at, but
ultimately doesn't get much screen time. Still, the scenes involving him are
the most suspenseful and dark, all comedy lost in favor of the darker, horrific
elements.
Then ending is left open to interpretation, which has caused
confusion among viewers, but is something I liked. I enjoy when a film leaves
me thinking after it ends, and Krampus succeeded in doing just that.
Overall, an enjoyable Christmas Horror-Comedy that manages
to both bring the laughs and the suspense. Dark humor, an intimidating, strong
central monster with multiple disturbing minions, a strong cast and a tense, foreboding
atmosphere make for a fun, entertaining movie watching experience.
7/10
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