BLOOD WORK: HALLOWEEN HORROR DAYS ~ DAY 17: KRAMPUS (2015)

Let's add a little Christmas cheer to this Halloween season! Christmas horror films are a truly rare breed. There are several C and D list horror movies out there with Christmas themes but finding an actual decent Christmas horror film is a difficult endeavor. The list that I can come up with can be counted on one hand: Black Christmas (1974) to which there was also a 2006 remake, Gremlins (1984), and Silent Night Deadly Night (1984) but truthfully SNDN isn't a very good movie however it is fun. Like I said, a good quality Christmas horror film is quite elusive.

Gremlins, in my opinion, is the reigning champion in terms of a quality Christmas horror film... until now. KRAMPUS, directed by Michael Dougherty, adds to this small group of films and sets the bar for all others to come. All the hallmarks of a true Christmas film are represented in Krampus to appease even the most staunch and strict Christmas movie lover. And it is filled with wild, imaginative, and frightening creatures that even Joe Dante or Steven Spielberg would approve of. This film is the new Gremlins.

Simply put, Krampus is one of the best horror films I've seen in years.

THE PLOT

Max still believes in Santa Claus. He has his letter to Santa ready to go. Then his aunt and uncle arrive with their four children and belligerent great aunt. He can see the tension rise in his parents. Christmas dinner is a complete disaster. Everything gets off to such a horrible start that Max begins to lose faith in Santa and lose hope in everything that makes Christmas special. He tears up his letter and casts the pieces to the wind. Suddenly a blizzard hits. The storm is unrelenting. The power goes out and there is no sign of anyone anywhere, no cars in the streets, no neighbors in the windows. But something is out there... in the snow, on rooftops, coming down chimneys, and he's not bringing with him Christmas cheer.

THE GOOD

Genre melding. Christmas, horror, and comedy are the core ingredients that make up this film. And everything is blended and balanced naturally and organically. The comedy doesn't hijack the film or make light of the subject matter but is done in a way that keeps the film from going so dark it loses the Christmas elements. The horror and holiday elements gel, one feeding the other. Conflict is a key element in all Christmas films, strife of a sort that our characters must overcome to find the true meaning of Christmas. The conflict comes from the family at first and then is amplified by the horror side of the story. Ultimately it is the horror that brings the family back together. Nothing is too forced or ham-fisted. The Christmas, horror, and comedy all compliment each other nicely.

The creatures. The monsters in this film are a joy to behold. There are a few CGI effects here and there. But where the film really shines is in its practical effects. With a few exceptions the monsters you see on screen were really on the movie set. Puppetry, animatronics, suitmation, and trick photography are used to bring the creatures to life in this film. And the effect is awesome. Then there are the designs. The filmmakers take beloved iconic Christmas characters and symbols and warp and twist them into something grotesque and terrifying. The Jack-in-the-Box creature is a wonder to behold! The brilliant creators of the WETA WORKSHOP are to thank and it is no doubt that this movie achieves the heights that it does in due part because of these people.

THE BAD

PG-13. There isn't much of anything I can fault this movie for. For the most part this movie is executed brilliantly on all fronts. However as a general rule of horror being rated PG-13 limits how far a film can go. There isn't much swearing or cussing in the film but honestly I feel if there were it would undermine the Christmas spirit of the film. There isn't much blood or gore either. This I go back and forth on. The movie builds its tension and suspense in natural ways. Even though there are comedic moments the film is actually quite serious.

In the tradition of effective modern horror classics like The Exorcism of Emily Rose and The Conjuring, Krampus manages to achieve its scares without splashes of red everywhere. Personally I am a gore hound, the "gore the merrier" I usually say. But again I feel the filmmakers made the right choice to go without gore, therefore retaining more of its Christmas movie esthetic. But then again with such great monsters I can only imagine what a mighty parade of gore and blood its effects artists could bring to the screen.

THE VERDICT

Krampus is wonderful experience all around. Whether you're a Christmas movie fan or a horror fan this film delivers on both fronts. The Krampus lore is a seldom touched subject and feels fresh. The creature effects are top notch utilizing mostly practical effects. As a monster movie this film exceeds expectations. It's rare to see a film nowadays with such creativity. This film is pure entertainment and sure to become a holiday classic.