A killer Christmas treat for the adults.
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Violent Night doesn’t shy away from the blood and gore that live up to its name. Christmas-themed it may be but it packs one hell of a punch with a badass Santa who doesn’t shy away from teaching those on his Naughty List a painful lesson.
The Christmas fantasy black comedy action film starts off as your everyday holiday film when Jason Lightstone (Alex Hassell), his estranged wife Linda (Alexis Louder) and their daughter Trudy (Leah Brady) travel to Jason’s mother's for Christmas. Wealthy Gertrude Lightstone (Beverly D'Angelo) lives in a beautiful estate that makes a holiday film dream setting but also the target of a group of mercenaries after her money. It isn’t until the Lightstones' friendly guard gets gunned down that the film makes a tonal shift to remind viewers of its true nature. This is not your family-friendly Christmas film.
A perfectly-cast David Harbour dons the red suit as Santa Claus here. He’s not the ordinary Father Christmas we’re used to–he’s got magical powers that allow him to teleport, a savage side thanks to his primitive past, and a man bun! But for fans of Harbour, it’s the hard-to-unsee heart of Stranger Things’ Jim Hopper he shares with Santa that makes him the ideal man for the role. Harbour’s charm and charisma are undeniable, making it easy for viewers to root for him to save the day against John Leguizamo’s Mr. Scrooge and his merry band of mercenaries, even if the Lighthouses are not worth the hassle (safe for sweet Trudy).
There's nothing overly intricate or unique about the film's plot. As far as action heist films go, it's a mediocre entry but if you're looking for an entertaining Christmas film that isn’t a romcom, Violent Night is the perfect pick for you.
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