THE HORROR HARVEST: VIOLENT NIGHT (2022)

 VIOLENT NIGHT (2022)

The number of wholesome Christmas movies is beyond count by this point (especially including Hallmark originals). What isn’t as common are the Christmas movie alternatives that truly fit the criteria of a Christmas film. Die Hard (the often debated Christmas movie) is the most notable example, but how many others are there? One of my “new Christmas classics” is the 2015 Krampus directed by Michael Dougherty. Beyond those there are only a handful of others that can be called Christmas classics.

So, when a new film arrives that fits the criteria of what a Christmas movie should be and offers an alternative Christmas experience at the same time, you take notice.

Last night I went to the movie theater and witnessed, what is to me, a new Christmas classic: VIOLENT NIGHT. From director Tommy Wirkola, the Norwegian gentleman who brought us such gems as DEAD SNOW (2009) and HANSEL & GRETEL: WITCH-HUNTERS (2013) delivers another incredibly entertaining film here starring David Harbour as jolly 'ole Saint Nick.

INITIAL IMPRESSIONS

Violent Night showcases a different side of Saint Nicholas while not losing the Santa Claus persona. This is still the jolly loving Santa we all expect thrust into a very different situation, and that is one of the shining examples of this movie. It’s not some psycho Santa or Santa with a different bent. David Harbour successfully tows the line of keeping Santa as he should be while doing very un-Santa-like things. He really is the lynchpin of this movie that makes it all work.

The gore and violence are exceptional and noteworthy as well. The levels of onscreen bloodshed are excessive to a comical degree that, for me personally, actually enhanced the joy of the movie. While realistic, the gore took the experience to a nearly absurd level that felt fun rather than off putting. It’s another fine line that this film tows, and may not work for everyone, but I again felt director Tommy Wirkola nailed.

And you can feel the Christmas spirit flowing through the movie. There’s messages of love and families setting aside their differences to come together. There’s excellent use of classic Christmas carols and iconography like the Christmas tree, the Christmas lights, and homemade Christmas cookies. There’s even deliberate Christmas movie references and riffs, some used to graphic affect and hilarity. And the core message of finding the Christmas spirit in all of us, even when the world seems to be at its bleakest.

Overall Ranking: 8 out of 10

Make no mistake, this isn’t Citizen Kane or Gone With the Wind. What this movie is is pure entertainment and a good time. This movie also feels more genuine than most and filled with the filmmaker's actual personality and heart (again, something missing from most films nowadays). It doesn't feel like a conveyor belt factory product, but rather something special with real worth.

I had so much fun watching Violent Night. This is one movie for the collection and soon to be a Christmas staple every year going forward. If you’re looking for an alternative Christmas movie to the typical seasonal fair, give Violent Night a try. I think you’ll enjoy it. And it’ll leave you filled with Christmas spirit and the joy of the season. I was singing Christmas carols on the way home from the movie theater afterwards.

For my thoughts on director Tommy Wirkola's other films, check out these posts below

DEAD SNOW (2009)

DEAD SNOW 2 - RED VS DEAD (2014)  

And for another Christmas favorite of mine, check out this post too!

KRAMPUS (2015)