Movie Title: Krampus
First Watch / Repeat Viewing
Running Time: 1 hr. 38 min.
Rated: PG-13
Who did I watch with?: Flying Solo
Where did I watch it?: Home
Review:
Krampus is a Christmas movie for those that are sick of the saccharine nature of many Christmas yarns. On Christmas you are forced to spend time and exchange gifts with people that you ordinarily wouldn’t go out of your way to see. There is a lot of stress associated with the holiday and the crass commercialism associated with it is nauseating. The opening sequence of Krampus is terrific and really sets the mood as people beat each other to a pulp over the latest toys and otherwise debauch a toy store.
The movie proceeds in a Christmas Vacation style where Tom (Adam Scott) and Sarah (Toni Collette) have their family come over. They are a bunch of country folk that think Tom and Sarah are soft as grapes and that they are the genuine salt of the Earth. Max (Emjay Anthony) is the youngest son of Tom and Sarah and he is the last of the bunch to still take a joy in Christmas. This Christmas finally sucked it out of him. His parents are fighting, his sister can’t stand him, and the extended family are a bunch of mutants that no one would want to spend a second with. He wishes something could be done about it and he gets his wish.
A storm rolls in and socks the town in snow. The family loses electricity. Tom and Sarah’s daughter Beth goes to see her boyfriend and check on the situation, but she never returns. When Tom and Howard go to check on the girls they discover creatures roaming the streets slaughtering the populace. They are attacked, but escape to their home. Things get precipitously worse from there as Krampus and his minions assault the family. The action ostensibly has some roots in some decision Adam’s grandmother made, but that part of the movie doesn’t make the most sense. Ultimately, the family needs to see if they can rediscover the true meaning of Christmas while under assault from some creatures sporting some really fun designs. Some of them seem like they could have sprung from the mind of Guillermo del Toro. The ending is fun and totally gives me an idea of something I would like to add to my Christmas tree if I ever get one up again.
Verdict:
Krampus reflects the real problem with Christmas and gives a clear solution to the problem; a hell beast that keeps everyone in line. Let us keep our fingers crossed. See it.
Tomorrow’s Movie: Hotel Artemis (2018)
