Now Reading: Krampus movie review & film summary (2015)
-
01
Krampus movie review & film summary (2015)
Surprisingly, I found myself enjoying the story of Krampus! Labeled as horror – which honestly feels a bit heavy for what it delivers – this 2015 flick is more of a dark fantasy horror-comedy. It blends Christmas cheer with genuine chills, offering a decent story with a particularly strong ending. This Krampus movie review dives into why it works, where it stumbles, and if it’s worth your holiday viewing time.
Table of Contents
The Premise: Christmas Meets Halloween
The core idea is instantly appealing: what if the shadow of Saint Nicholas, the dark entity known as Krampus, decided to visit instead of jolly old St. Nick? Forget presents; he brings terror. That’s the fate of the Engel family. Young Max (Emjay Anthony), a true Christmas believer, becomes disillusioned by his family’s constant bickering and materialistic attitudes during the holidays. In a moment of frustration, he tears up his heartfelt letter to Santa wishing for family unity and renounces Christmas. This act summons Krampus and his monstrous minions, trapping the fractured family in their home during a supernatural blizzard.
Cast, Characters & Performances
The film stars Adam Scott (as Tom) and Toni Collette (as Sarah), parents of Max (played by Emjay Anthony), a young boy who still believes in the magic of Christmas. The family is soon joined by their rough-edged relatives, including David Koechner (as Uncle Howard) and Allison Tolman (as Aunt Linda). But the real show-stealer is Krista Stadler as Omi, the Austrian grandmother who knows exactly what’s coming.
The cast does a solid job of portraying a family on the brink of emotional collapse, which makes their supernatural punishment eerily satisfying—but also morally confusing.
When Chaos Knocks: The Arrival of Krampus
After Max’s letter to Santa is ridiculed and torn apart, he gives up on Christmas. That’s when the blizzard rolls in, the power goes out, and things get weird. What follows is a claustrophobic, slow-burning siege where demonic toys, evil elves, and gingerbread men with killer instincts start picking off the family one by one.
One of the film’s strengths lies in its practical effects, largely done by Peter Jackson’s Weta Workshop, giving the monsters a tangible, terrifying quality. But here’s the kicker: Krampus himself doesn’t get much screen time, and that’s a missed opportunity. When he does appear—horned, cloaked, and crawling across rooftops—it’s memorable. But the minions get more action than the titular demon, which slightly undermines the tension.
A Smart Setup, But Falls Into Familiar Patterns
The movie starts strong. The opening scene at a mall—a chaotic Black Friday sale—sets the satirical tone perfectly. We’re reminded that Christmas, for many, has become about consumption, not compassion. This commentary is smart and timely.
However, the film starts to lose momentum halfway through. It falls into predictable horror beats: they try to escape, the plan fails, someone dies, rinse, repeat. The Krampus movie review wouldn’t be complete without pointing this out: it becomes a little formulaic.
Still, what keeps the movie interesting is its refusal to offer a clean resolution.
Ending Explained: Was It All a Dream?
The ending is arguably the film’s strongest element and a major point of discussion. After Krampus’ minions take most of the family, Max confronts the beast, offering himself in exchange. Krampus seemingly tricks him, wiping away a tear before cackling and throwing Max into a pit.
Max then awakens in his bed on Christmas morning. Relieved, he rushes downstairs to find his entire family miraculously happy, united, and loving – exactly as he wished in his original letter. Grateful, Max hugs his parents. However, when he opens his Christmas gift, he finds the ominous bauble (a Christmas ornament) Krampus had given him earlier. The family’s expressions shift to dread and recognition. The camera then pulls back, revealing the family home encased within a snow globe, sitting on a shelf in a dark, cavernous place filled with many other snow globes.
What This Means:
Eternal Damnation: They are doomed to repeat this “perfect” Christmas morning, trapped forever in the snow globe, aware of their fate but powerless. The bauble is a constant reminder of Krampus and their failure. It’s a darkly brilliant, unsettling conclusion far more effective than a simple nightmare reveal. Omi (Grandma) hinted at this fate earlier, revealing Krampus took her original family the same way after they lost their spirit post-WWII.
It Wasn’t a Dream: The events absolutely happened. Everyone remembers.
They’re in the Underworld/Hell: Krampus didn’t grant Max’s wish; he trapped them. European folklore states Krampus drags the naughty to hell. This is their punishment.
A One-Time Watch With Franchise Potential?
Honestly, this could’ve been a franchise starter. There’s enough lore and visual richness in Krampus to build sequels or even a holiday horror anthology. But as it stands, it’s a one-time watch, enjoyable for its novelty and unexpected turns.
The cinematography is stellar, especially for a 2015 PG-13 film. The snowy set pieces, creature designs, and even the lighting choices all create a visual identity that’s both eerie and festive.
That said, the movie pulls its punches. You can sense it wanted to go full dark but stayed tame to keep its PG-13 rating. Some scenes felt like they were edited down—dialogues toned, scares softened. Had it embraced a harder rating, Krampus might’ve become a cult horror classic.
The Krampus Movie Review Verdict: A Solid 3/5 Stars
So, is Krampus worth watching? Yes, but with managed expectations. It’s not pure, unrelenting horror. Think of it as “light horror” – a darkly comedic, visually inventive Christmas cautionary tale with some genuinely creepy creature designs and a fantastic, chilling ending.
Why you might enjoy it:
- The unique and compelling Christmas/Halloween mashup premise.
- Excellent practical effects and creature designs (Weta Workshop shines).
- A genuinely clever, dark, and memorable ending.
- Strong atmosphere and claustrophobic setting once the blizzard hits.
- Fun performances, especially Adam Scott, Toni Collette, and Conchata Ferrell.
- Superb cinematography for its 2015 release.
Why you might be disappointed:
- The unlikeable family reduces tension and investment.
- Krampus himself is underutilized; the minions get more screen time.
- The PG-13 rating often feels restrictive, softening potential scares and edge.
- The plot can feel formulaic (“horror movie 101”) at times.
Final Thoughts:
Krampus is a one-time watch that delivers solid entertainment, especially if you’re in the mood for something festive but twisted. Its unique folklore basis, impressive effects, and truly unsettling ending elevate it above standard holiday fare. While held back by unlikeable characters and an underused villain, the core concept and execution are strong enough to make it a worthwhile entry in the alternative Christmas movie canon. If you’ve ever wanted to see killer gingerbread men and a demonic Santa shadow, grab some cocoa (or something stronger) and give Krampus a spin. Just don’t lose your Christmas spirit while watching!
