Unique Psychological Horror

This isn't a horror movie in the vein of A Nightmare on Elm Street or Halloween, but in its own hybrid branding, Christmas Evil takes a look at the psyche of a forty year old man who, in two months time, finds his "calling" while simultaneously suffering a mental breakdown.

When little Harry finds out that Santa isn't real, all his hopes and dreams come crashing down. Discovering that his dad is dressed as Santa, Harry sees him fondle his mom's leg and becomes so shocked by both discoveries that he runs upstairs, breaks a snow globe, and deliberately cuts open his finger.

FLASH-FORWARD 30 something years to a Christmas factory worker who sleeps in Santa pajamas and whose home is resplendent in Christmas decorations, but it isn't until he finds out that his co-worker fooled him into taking his shift that he starts to further unravel and become Santa. Haunted by flashbacks of his parents in their intimate moment, Harry has decided that he must fulfill the role of the iconic giver in order to find purpose in his life. The "mirror scene" shows us the start of his decline and brings us in for a close look at the psychological tears that have followed him into adulthood, mental fractures that must have existed before his discovery that Santa was played by his dad since finding out that Santa isn't real doesn't by itself lend to psychotic tendencies.

Brandon Maggart plays the misguided Santa Claus so well that it's easy to believe we are truly watching a lonely and misunderstood man in his desperation to make people believe in Santa while becoming convinced that he is the man behind the beard.

Writing Quality: Unique and astounding in a multiplicity of ways. Aside from two kill scenes, the plot is laced with a middle-aged man whose tidings of joy become quickly spoiled by his own delusion and his inability to tolerate or ignore those who take the Christmas spirit seriously or who playfully tease him for donning the suit. Never mind that there are a number of people, mostly children, who adore him and appreciate him playing Saint Nick. Then there is his younger brother, Phil, who during the discovery scene when they were children, told Harry Santa was their dad. Harry blames Phil for telling him that, for not believing that Santa was real, unable to cope with life's truths. I think if we were able to see what became of his parents, how they treated him over the years,we would have a better grasp as to why Harry couldn't function well in life. We do get a few seconds of their mom sitting with them as they secretly watch Santa put presents under the tree and she is clearly excited by her husband and not so focused on the moment for her kids' sake. Perhaps Harry was never equipped with the necessary skills to cope in life. But since the writer only allows us to see that one intimate moment, it seems that Harry was always deranged and that nothing and nobody could change that.

Scare Factor: The two kill scenes happen very suddenly and are violent, though the director quickly moves on to the next moment, diving back into Harry's psyche. What is particularly eerie is the screeching scratchy synthesizer notes that punctuate Harry's descending mentality.

Content (sex, language, & violence): No sex, only the scene where the dad is caressing the mom's leg. Maybe one bad word. Aside from the two kill scenes, a man suddenly chokes another man.

Values & Themes: Desiring for others to want Christmas. Desperate to believe in something.

An interesting ending that is both surreal and supernatural while suggesting a sort of magical realism. This is quite the original movie where we are never quite sure what Harry will do next as he is easily swayed to do good or bad depending on how others treat him. A thought-provoking look at mental illness and its rapid descent into despair.

#ChristmasEvil