Directed By: Dick Maas
Starring: Huub Stapel, Edbert Jan Weeber, Caro Lenssen, Madelief Blanken
Distributed By: IFC Films
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Running Time: 88 minutes
Our Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Christmas is easily my favorite holiday but doesn’t mean I don’t like watching films about good ole St. Nick wrecking some havoc. When I heard of this Netherlands based film, I was hoping for some good gory horror…and I got what I hoped for. Besides terrible…terrible dubbing, (would have rather had option to watch it subbed) this film is brutal and really dark. There is quite a bit of slaying (get it?) in this film and you are going to leave you yourself wishing that you were on the nice list this year.
This horror film starts back in 1492 depicting St. Nicholas as murderous bishop kidnaps and murders children when there is a full moon on December 5. He is taken down by the villagers but his evil spirit return ever 32 years to wreak havoc again. Our story picks up in present day but this time our hero Frank (Egbert Jan Weeber) aims to end his reign for good.
The story is well….what do you expect it is a horror film about a killer Santa Clause. It works for what it is worth, it is a different take to create mystery behind St. Nicholas. The special effects are really top notch and topped with some great kills. Huub Stapel is one scary son-bitch as St. Nicholas and rides high on his horse and his demon minions are not to be messed with. There are also some decent scares in the film. I hope they make this into a series because I would love to see more of these films.