Ah, the holiday season. A time for happy little movies full of holiday cheer. Or you can watch A Christmas Horror Story, a horror anthology complete with zombie elves and Krampus. All of a sudden, we have three movies about Krampus, and honestly, I don't remember hearing of him before. But maybe I just don't pay enough attention. I have not seen the other two movies featuring Krampus, but in this one he is rather frightening and the battle between him and Santa is pretty awesome, if somewhat brief.
This is similar to Trick 'R Treat, the Halloween horror anthology, and runs in the same way: as an anthology that is cut into separate segments that jump around a bit. Going back and forth builds the suspense in each story, which helps in the clichéd "kids go ghost hunting in an abandoned asylum" one. It is not terrible but not all that great either, with a predictable plot and resolution. The segment with the little boy possessed by a demon isn't much better but I enjoyed it, and the family running around in the woods trying to get away from Krampus is probably the second best.
The storyline that everyone seems to agree is the best, the Santa vs. zombie elves and Krampus, is fun. The fun is, as I mentioned, short-lived but great while it lasts. There is also a twist that I felt was unnecessary. There are hints to it but you have to really be paying attention and while I did have that feeling of wait, what am I missing, it is not at all obvious. The twist didn't make me angry, as they often do, but it just felt tacked on. Anyway, it all ties together fine and makes for enjoyable holiday viewing. There just aren't many Christmas-themed horror movies (aside from the much darker and more violent Black Christmas and the ridiculously fun Santa's Slay) and if you're in the mood for some horror with your Santa fix this holiday season, I do recommend this one. William Shatner is also in this, if that helps sway your decision. He spends all his scenes in a room doing a radio show by himself but he's pretty good and also ties in with the other stories, No spoilers here, though, so you'll have to watch it to find out how.
