The holidays have arrived, and studios are putting out some new films to celebrate the festive season. Along with this time of year, among this pack is the adult-rated black comedy Violent Night, an action-filled adventure that just so happens to involve Santa Claus himself as our hero. This film combines two genres well with a strong cast and a good-hearted story. Led by David Harbour as old Saint Nick, Violent Night is a great take on the holidays that doesn’t forget that it’s a Christmas movie throughout its runtime.
Violent Night focuses on Santa Claus (Harbour), a mythical being who spreads joy to children all around the world delivering presents to those who have been nice this year. This isn’t your typical Santa as this version has grown weary and has seen the Christmas spirit fading away slowly as the years go by. It’s no wonder we see him as an alcoholic spending time at pubs during his breaks in between delivering presents. However, his night turns ugly after making one stop at the home of the wealthy Lightstone family. Hosted by the matriarch Gertrude (Beverly D’Angelo), the senator brings together her disjointed family during the holidays. Her son Jason (Alex Hassell) attempts to reunite with his estranged wife Linda (Alexis Louder) and their daughter Trudy (Leah Brady) to keep things civil during the holidays. We also meet Jason’s sister Alva (Edi Patterson) along with her new husband Morgan (Cam Gigandet) and son Bert (Alexander Elliot). Things start to get crazy for Santa and the Lightstones after a gang of thieves led by Mr. Scrooge (John Leguizamo) takes the family hostage and demands all the money that has been locked away in Gertrude’s vault. It is now up to Santa to save the day and stay alive from Scrooge’s goons.
With Violent Night, it doesn’t take itself seriously and it shows. It becomes self-aware in a clever way, mixing in elements of the holidays and taking some inspiration from movies like Die Hard and John Wick with some Home Alone mixed in. What Violent Night pulls off well is putting these genres together to put an action movie on display with a comedic tone that makes it quite entertaining. The movie also isn’t afraid of going for the brutality with its fight scenes, especially those involving Santa using whatever he has in his arsenal to take out the baddies. The choreographed action sequences are often hilarious and quite ridiculous, which is something that director Tommy Wirkola has managed to pull off with such elegance.
What audiences will get with Violent Night is a film that embraces what it is trying to be, which is a mix of comedy and action with some emotional beats that fit in with every scene. We get some of that goofiness when it comes to the action and blood that comes off the screen to a great effect. It is a movie that often parodies itself to tackle some of the holiday traditions that we take for granted, ultimately becoming a fun holiday movie dealing with family and redemption. It also has a lot to say about the state of Christmas as it has become more of a commercialized holiday rather than one of being with the people you love. It is usually the weaker spots of the film when it addresses it, but it’s the cheesiness of the holidays and the action that help bring this movie together and be enjoyable for the adults. Mind you, this isn’t going to be a family movie, but it pulls the heartstrings in all the right places when it needs to be.
What makes the movie work is the cast we get here. With David Harbour in the lead, the actor makes use of his comedic timing while also showcasing some intimate moments with his character. Harbour shares some incredible scenes with the young Leah, making us root for Santa to come out alive to save this little girl’s holiday. Harbour carries the film with his grizzled drunk version of Kris Kringle that is completely out of his element fighting against some armed robbers. The movie does a great job of letting these characters grow as we learn their backstories and where they are coming from. Leguizamo also puts on a great performance as the villain, showing some humanity in him while also being the ultimate bad guy of the Christmas season.
Violent Night ends up being the holiday movie that delivers what it sets out to do, which is an entertaining action-comedy that audiences will enjoy. Those who love action will get a kick out of the funny fight sequences in all of their blood-filled glory. David Harbour doesn’t hold back with his graphic take on Santa as he takes on a couple of naughty bank robbers in a B-movie-style action flick. It is a mature holiday movie that will find its place among a library of holiday fare that may go down as a classic. Violent Night is the blend of a traditional holiday genre with a modern action spin that will guarantee a bloody good time for all.
Violent Night will hit theaters on December 2nd.
