The four stories in A Christmas Horror
Story take place in the fictional town of Bailey Downs on Christmas
Eve, perhaps a happy accidental nod to the George Bailey character in
the Christmas classic It's a Wonderful Life. They are woven together
by Dangerous Dan, a local radio DJ played by William Shatner who
works as a narrator of sorts for the film. This character is much
like the Adrienne Barbeau character in another recent holiday horror
anthology, Tales of Halloween.
Each story in A Christmas Horror Story
seems to be created for true horror fans. They are dark and detailed
with often brilliant color schemes that highlight both the classic
feel of Santa Clause and the underlying evil of Krampus, both of whom
play roles in the film.
The stories include a family looking
for the perfect Christmas tree in a not so perfect place, a not so
joyous Christmas spirit, a student documentary that turns Christmas
Eve into a not so silent night, and a North Pole zombie fest full of
not so friendly elves. The theme throughout the film is “not so”.
These characters experience a not so merry Christmas, and it's not
that they asked for it or wanted it, but they did unknowingly bring
it upon themselves by making not so good decisions that underline the
fragility and weakness of the human condition. These back stories and
character flaws are introduced as each story unfolds and the
characters find themselves in hellish and unimaginable scenarios. The
film is well written and well made with a variety of horror stories
that are as different from each other as Santa Clause is from
Krampus. The cast in each segment all give solid performances and
this is a major win for the film as it plays it's horror straight and
not for laughs. One weak performance can throw off the believability
or wreck the suspension of disbelief in such genre films.
I've heard this film referred to as a
comedy-horror, but I found it to have a quite serious tone. Sure,
Santa fighting zombie elves that speak insults like a possessed Regan
from The Exorcist is amusing, but every aspect of these stories
aren't played for laughs, they are played to frighten and thrill. And
that is exactly what they do! A Christmas Horror Story manages to be
a horror movie that is entertaining, full of surprises, has a strong
focus on horror, and is a lot of fun! There are several strong
moments that kept me thrilled and smiling including a bloodthirsty
Elf using a tree as a battering ram to break down a door, a (not so)
dead girl makes a startling first appearance, and an epic battle
between Santa Claus and Krampus, the ultimate showdown of Good Vs.
Evil!
I highly recommend this movie to every
horror fan. Instead of the family, feel good movie or holiday slasher
classic, watch something different and new this Christmas and check
out A Christmas Horror Story and have a merry and gory and fright
filled Christmas!
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