100 Movie Challenge 2015 - # 166: Krampus

Director: Michael Dougherty

Genre: Horror/ Comedy

Runtime: 98 minutes

Year: 2015

Starring: Adam Scott, Toni Collette, David Koechner, Allison Tolman, Conchata Ferrell

Description: A boy who has a bad Christmas ends up accidentally summoning a Christmas demon to his family home.

Review: ‘Tis the season. Getting ready for the holidays, spending time with your family, Christmas gifts. But in this film Santa isn’t coming to town. There is a myth that tells us about a creature named Krampus. He comes to punish you. Krampus is a beast with big horns and hooves. He’s not alone, because he has some little helpers. And they are no cute elves.

The film starts with the theme solidarity, or actually the lack of it. Aggressive shoppers, unthankful children and an anti-social family. There is a big contrast between the family whose house we’re visiting, and the family that is coming over for Christmas. One is very sympathetic, the other really unlikeable.

The film introduces us to the characters and then Krampus arrives and all hell breaks loose. The visual effects are very good. Only impossible shots are made with the help of a computer. There aren’t a lot of digital touches.

Director Michael Dougherty made the small Halloween film “Trick ‘r Treat”, a horror comedy. “Krampus” is in that same genre. The film has a strong fundament, is original and sometimes a bit gory. It doesn’t shy away from controversy, because even kids aren’t safe in this horror film. The movie is never scary though. I can best describe the film as “Christmas Vacation” meets “Gremlins”.

The movie is called “Krampus”, but Krampus himself isn’t in the film that much. His helpers are more present and cause more damage than Krampus. There is also one point in the movie where I thought the movie ended. That was actually the perfect ending. Sadly that’s not the issue here, because there were two more scenes. One of them was not necessary.

Overall “Krampus” was a fun horror comedy that I highly enjoyed. Maybe this will be the go to movie for the next Christmases.

Rating: 3,5/ 5