Violent Night

Scrooge: "Alright, who the hell are you really, huh? Some security guard who's watched too many action flicks? Some loser ex-cop stuck in a mall playing dress-up with fat kids pissing on your lap? Stop me when I get it right."
Santa: "It's a little more complicated than that."

release year: 2022
genre: comedy/drama/action
viewing setting: home streaming 3/23/23

synopsis: Santa Claus (who was a murderous Viking warrior more than a thousand years ago) is trapped in a rich family's hostage situation, and must go back to his old ways.

impressions: It sounds crazy, right? But somehow it works...it's a strange but entertaining mix of a Christmas adventure, Home Alone, and Die Hard. Santa's old and weary and does things like drink the booze in houses and curse about the meaning of the holiday. He does have reindeer, and a magic bag and naughty/nice list, and a trick to get up and down chimneys. When a group of terrorists invades the home of a really rich and mostly-snotty family, Santa is forced to defend himself...and eventually goes on the offensive. This is dark Christmas comedy at its goriest.

acting: David Harbour is the grumpy Santa. John Leguizamo is the sarcastic leader of the invading group of thieves, which has some other memorable members. Alex Hassell is the one member of the rich family who's not unlikeable, and Alexis Louder is his wife. Leah Brady is their daughter, and does a great job being funny amidst the mayhem. Beverly D'Angelo is the crusty, nasty old matriarch of the family.

final word: Great fun R-rated Christmas story...what a hoot!

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