"Die Hard" gets brought up a lot when the "What counts as a Christmas movie?" debate rolls around, but one of my favorite holiday movies is so bloody, it makes John McClane's escapades look like a Hallmark movie by comparison. "Violent Night," starring "Stranger Things" powerhouse David Harbour as a washed-up Santa Claus who beats naughty-listers to death with a sledgehammer, is a delightfully unhinged holiday thriller that should be on everyone's annual watchlist.
Released in 2022, it's got everything you'd want from an action thriller with a heart-warming yuletide twist that basically imagines "What if John Wick took a turn as St. Nick?" With plenty of heavy-hitting fight scenes, dark humor, and more heart-warming holiday cheer than you'd expect, "Violent Night" is a fun watch, especially if you're tired of the usual Christmas romcoms and wholesome family-friendly fare.
What is 'Violent Night' about?
"Violent Night" unfolds on Christmas Eve after a team of mercenaries (led by John Leguizamo’s cold-hearted Mr. Scrooge) crashes the Lightstone family's celebration to hold them hostage and steal millions from their vault.
Little do they know that Jolly Old Saint Nicholas is not only real, but he's about to bring a world of pain along with this year's Christmas gifts. Instead of the rosy-cheeked, cheerful Santa we're all familiar with, this schlub has definitely seen better days. Centuries of delivering presents to snot-nosed kids in a world that increasingly doesn't believe he exists have made him into a Grinch, but he's forced to sober up when he stumbles on the home invasion.
Determined to protect young Trudy Lightstone (Leah Brady), the only one in her family who still believes in him, this grizzly, battle-hardened Santa becomes a one-man killing machine, using violent but undeniably festive methods to take out the bad guys, save the day, and, of course, rediscover the true meaning of Christmas.
'Violent Night' is a delightfully unhinged change of pace
If it's not already clear by now, "Violent Night" is not your typical holiday movie. It trades simmering fireside moments, small-town cocoa shops, and family holiday hijinks for a hilariously twisted take on holiday cheer. One that makes full use of every Christmas trope you can think of to equally horrifying and entertaining ends.
The gore is on Mortal Kombat levels of ridiculous. I'm talking Christmas lights used as garrote wire, candy canes sharpened into shivs, a chimney erupting in a fountain of blood — the works. It's honestly impressive how "Violent Night" takes the hallmarks of Christmas cheer and turns them into weapons befitting "The Purge" movies. I'm a huge horror movie fan, so I'm not too squeamish when it comes to blood and guts, but even my jaw dropped a few times at the gruesome places "Violent Night" goes.
Harbour seems tailor-made for this gritty reimagining of Santa Claus, a role that definitely taps into the same reluctant father figure vibes as Hopper in "Stranger Things." Though jaded and struggling to wrap his head around a modern world that seems to have outgrown him, he still has a heart of gold underneath all that prickliness. That much comes through loud and clear, especially in quieter moments with the movie's heart and soul, Trudy (Leah Brady). While everyone else has outgrown Santa, she still believes. Her holiday cheer manages to warm even his hardened heart, and it's this faith that gives him the strength to rediscover the true meaning of Christmas. And, more importantly, kick some ass.
As ridiculous as its premise is, "Violent Night" balances its chaotic thrills with a surprisingly emotional core that undeniably captures the Christmas spirit. It's not a family-friendly holiday watch by any means, but if you want something more fast-paced to put on over the break and don't mind gore, "Violent Night" is as entertaining as they come.
Stream 'Violent Night' on Peacock now
Listen, I love the best holiday movies as much as the next person, but sometimes you need a palate cleanser from all that sugary holiday fluff. "Violent Night" delivers the same amount of heartfelt storytelling you'd expect of a Christmas movie, but with the bloody carnage and dark humor of the best action thrillers.
Harbour's no-nonsense, PTSD-suffering St. Nick is one of the most original reimaginings I've seen in years, and it's worth seeing "Violent Night" for his performance alone. If you're looking for a movie that taps into the holiday spirit while keeping you on the edge of your seat with unhinged humor and action, this is the one to watch.
Watch "Violent Night" on Peacock now
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