Directed by:
Michael DoughertyCinematography:
Jules O'LoughlinComposer:
Douglas PipesCast:
Adam Scott, Toni Collette, Allison Tolman, David Koechner, Conchata Ferrell, Emjay Anthony, Stefania LaVie Owen, Gareth Ruck, Leith Towers, Krista Stadler (more)VOD (4)
Plots(1)
When his dysfunctional family clashes over the holidays, young Max (Emjay Anthony) is disillusioned and turns his back on Christmas. Little does he know, this lack of festive spirit has unleashed the wrath of Krampus: a demonic force of ancient evil intent on punishing non-believers. All hell breaks loose as beloved holiday icons take on a monstrous life of their own, laying siege to the fractured family's home and forcing them to fight for each other if they hope to survive. (Universal)
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Reviews (9)
Right after watching the trailer, Krampus raised great expectations in me, but we all know that trailers are very much for effect, so you have to go to the cinema to see the film's qualities for yourself. I have to say that I got a very good Christmas movie with a memorable atmosphere, which in the end didn't really live up to the expectations raised by the trailer, but that didn't hurt at all. Krampus is definitely not your typical horror movie with lots of scares, ghosts and blood. It's more of a black comedy of sorts, leaving you feeling that Christmas can be anything but a "holiday of peace and quiet", as all the characters in the film find out the hard way. I was intrigued by the make-up effects and the portrayal of the monsters, including the terrifying creature from hell, and I liked the imaginative insertion of an animated insert that illuminated Krampus' story. As a Germanist, I also cheered with joy at the German (or Austrian, who knows) doll, who, next to the spirited auntie, was my favourite of all the characters. All in all, a solidly made Christmas horror comedy that will stay in my mind for a long time thanks to its strengths and not least thanks to the totally unexpected ending, which left me with a rather unpleasant feeling – what losing faith and hope (here on a fantastical and cruel scale) can actually do.
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If Krampus was even more comedic, and I don't care if in the black-humorous style of the skirmish in the attic or the Griswold Christmas break style in which it began, I'd like it even more. Even so, from my point of view, it is a very pleasant surprise, which is able to entertain and tantalize, but it could do without those few annoying, more serious minutes promoting family values. I was probably most pleased by the special effects - with the exception of bloodthirsty gingerbread, not too much digital magic is happening here, but rather good old-fashioned puppets and animatronics. And it all looks great!
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Christmas home invasion creature feature black comedy with an excellent snowy backdrop. Dougherty fuses German folklore and American genre traditions into a sufficiently entertaining mix in which children are devoured and the titular devil doesn't grow tiresome thanks to a late entry. Formal finesse, good actors and unobtrusive film references are sometimes enough to satisfy, especially at Christmas. 70 %
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The story of Krampus may be a bit simple, but it is packed with quite an action spectacle that will keep you entertained. It's something that won't scare you much, but it can sweep you away as very good entertainment. If you want to go to the movie theater to watch something that won't bore you, I think this is exactly the kind of film you should go see. Plus, it has that Christmas family spirit.
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The Czech devil has an exceptional position on a global scale. He is more of a confused companion for gamblers, or an executor of justice where secular justice is a mockery of morality. Krampus is a different sort. At first glance, fear emanates from him and he exudes the threat of brutal violence and mystical cruelty. The movie, which entices with the use of the name "Krampus," announces that it will be a form of entertainment for a specifically horror-oriented audience. But actions speak louder than words and this is also reflected in the quite mixed reviews. Let's be honest, how many horror comedies have you seen that weren't crippled in one way or another, or had both legs amputated? No matter what Dougherty does, he is unable to generate scares, at least not in a way that today's hardened fans of horror would fear. It's a bit better when it comes to the humor. Dougherty has learned a lot from Terry Gilliam and his devilish gingerbread cookies are successful, he has a sense of irony and occasionally comes up with a decent joke. He also relies on a likable cast of actors, led by the talented Toni Collette. Unfortunately, he is not creative enough to develop his ideas into a truly functional and visually appealing form. He relies on frantic, chaotic editing, and annoyingly stereotyped characters within the family, and he is not daring enough to turn family values upside down and mock Christmas. When I remember how Ari Aster utilized Toni Collette in Hereditary, I have the feeling that Dougherty is wasting the acting potential of his ensemble, as well as the atmosphere and ideas. The film is unfinished and rarely truly atmospheric. My review ranges between 2 and 3 stars, and considering the weak reviews he received from horror fans, this time I will support Dougherty and give the film a weak three-star rating. Overall impression: 50%.
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