By Geno McGahee
Before the controversial killer Santa movie “SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT,” there was another killer Santa four years earlier in CHRISTMAS EVIL. Although it has slasher elements, it is not a slasher film, which is why this film didn’t get the hype that the other one did. What we have here is a very fun horror/drama in the true spirit of Xmas.
Harry (Brandon Maggart) was just a child when he saw his mother having sex with Santa Claus and it forever impacted him. When he grew up, he got a job at a toy factory and quickly become management, but he felt more at home putting toys together. When he spoke to his crew, he emphasized the importance of making quality toys, but they just brush him off, which doesn’t sit well.
The life of Harry is a strange one. His entire apartment is decorated for Xmas and he watches the children through their windows and keeps a list of the naughty and nice ones. He falls into madness, slowly turning into Santa with the hope to award the nice and punish the naughty. He paints a sleigh on his truck and super glues a white beard to his face. When he sees himself in the mirror, he laughs with so much joy. Yes, he’s squirrel shit nuts.
Harry/Santa goes around the neighborhood on a spree of giving and then taking lives. He has no problem butchering people in front of a large crowd or of putting presents under the tree for the kids and killing the parents. The police round up all the Santas in hopes of finding the killer one, but Harry is still on the loose. The townies get together and chase him down with torches.
Trying to find refuge, Harry goes to see his brother, Phil (Jeffrey DeMunn). Phil was not pleased when Harry explained why he was killing people. He was so enraged that he nearly kills Harry, choking him until he passes out. Harry comes to and takes off as the townies chase him down, leading to a memorable conclusion.
CHRISTMAS EVIL isn’t really a horror movie. It’s just a good film about a crazy guy that has too much Xmas spirit. It was marketed as a horror film because it’s a great market to sell it in and because there are some slasher elements. It is a quality film and Maggart was the perfect guy for the role. He was likable and you couldn’t help feeling sorry for him. He wasn’t right, but in his heart, he thought he was doing the right thing.
I highly recommend this flick, especially for this Xmas season. It was much fun.
Rating: 7/10
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