Violent Night
When a team of mercenaries breaks into a wealthy family compound on Christmas Eve, taking everyone inside hostage, the team isn’t prepared for a surprise combatant: Santa Claus is on the grounds, and he’s about to show why this Nick is no saint.
- Released: 2022-11-30
- Runtime: 111 minutes
- Genre: Action, Comedy
- Stars: David Harbour, John Leguizamo, Beverly D'Angelo, Alex Hassell, Alexis Louder, Edi Patterson, Cam Gigandet, André Eriksen, Alexander Elliot, Mitra Suri, John B. Lowe, Sean Skene, Vance Halldorson, Thomas Lorber, Adam Hurtig, Ron Borges, Adrian Persad, Marc-André Brisebois, Dylan Rampulla, Maxime Laurin
- Director: Tommy Wirkola
Comments
- CinemaCynic - 14 June 2024
🎅💥Santa's Naughty List Gets a Bloody Makeover 🎁🔪
"Violent Night," directed by Tommy Wirkola, is a 2022 action-comedy that serves up a unique twist on the traditional Christmas movie. This unconventional holiday flick blends the warmth of yuletide cheer with the gritty violence of a Die Hard-esque action thriller, creating a cinematic cocktail that's equal parts eggnog and adrenaline.
David Harbour stars as a jaded, alcoholic Santa Claus who finds himself caught in the middle of a violent home invasion on Christmas Eve. Harbour's portrayal of St. Nick is far from the jolly old elf we're accustomed to; instead, we get a world-weary, cynical Santa with a mysterious past and a penchant for violence when pushed to his limits. Harbour brings a gruff charisma to the role, balancing dark humor with moments of genuine emotion that anchor the film's more outlandish elements.
Wirkola, known for his work on "Dead Snow" and "Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters," brings his signature blend of humor and gore to "Violent Night." The action sequences are inventively choreographed and delightfully over-the-top, with Santa using his magical abilities and improvised Christmas-themed weapons to dispatch the bad guys in increasingly creative ways. These scenes are undoubtedly the film's strongest asset, offering a gleefully violent spectacle that will satisfy action fans.
The supporting cast, including John Leguizamo as the ruthless leader of the mercenaries and Leah Brady as the young girl who still believes in Santa, perform admirably within the confines of their somewhat stereotypical roles. The dynamic between Harbour's Santa and Brady's character provides the emotional core of the film, offering moments of sweetness amidst the carnage.
However, "Violent Night" isn't without its flaws. The plot, while serviceable, treads familiar territory and relies heavily on action movie clichés. Some of the humor falls flat, and the attempts to balance heartwarming Christmas spirit with graphic violence don't always succeed, leading to tonal inconsistencies that may jar some viewers.
The film's pacing also suffers at times, with lulls between action set pieces that drag on longer than necessary. Additionally, while the concept of a badass Santa Claus is undeniably cool, the movie doesn't fully explore the intriguing backstory it hints at for the character.
Visually, "Violent Night" captures the cozy warmth of Christmas decor contrasted against the harsh violence of the siege, creating a unique aesthetic that adds to the film's offbeat charm. The soundtrack, featuring both traditional Christmas tunes and more modern selections, effectively enhances the mood of various scenes.
In conclusion, "Violent Night" is an entertaining, if somewhat uneven, holiday action romp. It delivers on its promise of festive ultraviolence and benefits greatly from David Harbour's committed performance. While it may not become a perennial Christmas classic, it offers a refreshing alternative for those seeking a break from more traditional holiday fare. The film's biggest success lies in its ability to bring a sense of fun and irreverence to the Christmas movie genre, even if it doesn't fully realize its potential.
"Violent Night" is best enjoyed by viewers who appreciate dark humor, over-the-top action, and aren't put off by the juxtaposition of Christmas cheer with graphic violence. While it may not appeal to everyone, it certainly carves out its own niche in the realm of alternative holiday entertainment. - view_and_review - 24 February 2024
One Character Did NOT Belong in This Movie
Violent Night was a horrible blend of fantasy, comedy, action, and claptrap. The claptrap sentiment was the issue.
David Harbour played Santa Claus, as in the real Santa Claus. He had reindeer, a naughty and nice list, and a serious drinking problem; not to mention a foul mouth. One can only suspect that he got the job the same way Tim Allen did in "The Santa Clause" because he certainly wasn't a jolly old fat man.
He was Johnny on the spot when the rich Lightstone family was being held up by violent robbers led by Scrooge (John Leguizamo). He would not have intervened if it hadn't have been for the Hallmarky sappy and sentimental Trudy Lightstone (Leah Brady). She was cut right out of a 50's Christmas movie. The girl still legitimately believes in Santa! She ruined the entire facade of the movie. She didn't belong, and not in a comical, satirical way-she really didn't belong like R. Kelly at a high school.
Then, when the movie morphed into an R-rated "Home Alone" I was done. I made the executive decision to save the last forty minutes of my life for something far more entertaining like watching bass fishing or listening to a reading of the Constitution.
The most interesting thing of this pathetic movie in which ex-military guys don't know how to shoot guns was finding out that the actress who played Gertrude, the matriarch of the ugly Lightstone family, was Beverly D'Angelo. The same Beverly D'Angelo who'd played Ellen Griswold in "National Lampoon's Vacation." She is now totally unrecognizable. Between her voice, her face, and her terrible wig I had no clue who she was. Just another tragic part of an abysmal movie.
Free with Amazon Prime.
