The premise signals not to take the movie serious so lower your expectations from the outset.
The movie does deliver on some tidbits of pitch dark humor and fun gory surprises.
If you are a person who laughs at inappropriate jokes then you will find a few sensible chuckles scattered about the film.
I have two chief complaints:
1. It did not go far enough with the dark humor. It felt like they were tempering the laughs for fear of being too offensive. They sandwhich the dark bits between light-hearted 'human' momments. This hurts the pacing and is unnecessary. Anyone who signs on for the premise of a Santa letter to Satan wants to be taken on a full blown offensive humor ride. Spare us the feel good coddling. We don't need it.
2. Christmas movies traditionally have a happy, hopeful, ending filled with redemption, and this movie is no exception, but it feels like wimping out here.
I didn't want to smile at the conclusion. I wanted a sick punchline to make me groan out a wicked laugh, so I feel cheated in that sense.
Bottom line: Fun premise with a few fun momments. Worth a watch, but falls short of its dark promise.
Review of Letters to Satan Claus
