As other reviewers have pointed out, this is a horror spoof of the (Hallmark, Lifetime, UPtv, ION Television, and others) Christmas (romance) genre. It also draws heavily from the Krampus folklore (and the dozen or so Krampus-based movies), a horned animal-like figure that scares children who have misbehaved at Christmas (the opposite of Saint Nicholas). At the center of the movie is Holly Frost (played by Karen Knox), a well-known TV news reporter who has a very cynical view of life, especially of Christmas. She returns to her hometown, after many years, where she falls in love while facing off Satan, who she accidentally wrote to as a child by misspelling her letter to Santa. Going into this one, I had low expectations, as the spoof genre, in general, doesn't produce many good films, unless you are a teenage boy, which seems to be the demographic this genre of film appeals to. This movie is no different. As a comedy, I thought it wasn't very good, as I did not laugh once during the movie, not even a chuckle. The closes I came to laughing was during the angel cookie scene, which I did enjoy watching. It is a pity they did not develop it a bit more (I also liked the Snowman's eyes). There was some potential in this movie around the horror angle. That said, the acting, though silly (as another reviewer put it), was pretty good, overall. I thought Knox had a very strong performance. She had a 'Bad Santa' vibe to her portrayal of Holly, which worked well on screen, I thought. The supporting cast too had a solid performance. It was a bit ironic having Michael Xavier (as Sheriff Noel) in the movie, as he has starred in two Christmas movies this season: Hallmark's Christmas Comes Twice and Lifetime's Christmas on Wheels. They should have used this in the film, as it is a spoof of these types of movies, of course. However, given viewer demographics (verses, e.g., those of Hallmark movies), I suspect not many people watching this movie would have picked up on it (as they would not have seen the above-mentioned movies). Although there is some good acting (and the critique behind the satire makes sense), all in all, this parody is not very funny (silly yes, but funny no).
21 Reviews
Silly premise. Silly execution.
laurainmark21 December 2020
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.
and a satanic...
ops-5253521 December 2020
Christmas to you too. well its a demonic christmas to counterweight all the sugarsweet billionaires perfect tv-movie x-mas'es that every believer get squared eyes out of this time and days of the year.
allright , its a terrible movie like everything else of slicky holiday brainmash, its colourfilled and revengeful, and its an alternative ... the only thing that i find granting by this flick is the use of colour and light. the comedy is flat and hairless, with cheap special effects and inedible caracters, even the grinch or antisanta or ''julabokken'', as we would call it here in norway, which by the way is the norwegian alternative of halloween where us kids rants up in costumes more or less xmasified and asthmatic as santa himself, ringing doorbelles , and singalongsongs of bethlehem to get a treat for the disharmony of overfilled stomachs, getting a mandarine or a rotten clementine, or winning the golden ticket, recieving an light blue fritjof nansen 10 kroner bill if you were lucky and be sure they got a horn in thy side, or got horned up if no rewards were given... sorry lost my track there
as i usually do when viewing massproduced silly symphonies of bad tasting x-mas movies, but its better than nothing, and its meaner than usual, so if you take the alternative way, then clutch the last straw of lsd and handkerchief yorself on psychedelia ,cause the grumpy old man wish you all a very xmas and a hipp hipp horray for solstice, summer is coming back,and so will also my tan , and a maks of 4...
allright , its a terrible movie like everything else of slicky holiday brainmash, its colourfilled and revengeful, and its an alternative ... the only thing that i find granting by this flick is the use of colour and light. the comedy is flat and hairless, with cheap special effects and inedible caracters, even the grinch or antisanta or ''julabokken'', as we would call it here in norway, which by the way is the norwegian alternative of halloween where us kids rants up in costumes more or less xmasified and asthmatic as santa himself, ringing doorbelles , and singalongsongs of bethlehem to get a treat for the disharmony of overfilled stomachs, getting a mandarine or a rotten clementine, or winning the golden ticket, recieving an light blue fritjof nansen 10 kroner bill if you were lucky and be sure they got a horn in thy side, or got horned up if no rewards were given... sorry lost my track there
as i usually do when viewing massproduced silly symphonies of bad tasting x-mas movies, but its better than nothing, and its meaner than usual, so if you take the alternative way, then clutch the last straw of lsd and handkerchief yorself on psychedelia ,cause the grumpy old man wish you all a very xmas and a hipp hipp horray for solstice, summer is coming back,and so will also my tan , and a maks of 4...
It's not very good.
robertwhritner27 December 2020
I can't believe I just sat thru 90 minutes of this movie. 90 minutes of my life I will never get back. Why does SyFy bother with Christmas movies like this. Toys of Terror was a Christmas horror for children. And this one, as another reviewer here pointed out, is a spoof for teenagers. Was it supposed to be funny? Clearly comedy is not syfy's strongest genre. Why can't they stick to what they do best? Now, if they produced, for example, 'A Dark Matter Christmas' or 'Christmas with the Killjoys', or maybe even 'A Z Nation Christmas', I am sure they would get it right, plus most of us fans of the network would be keen to watch! It doesn't matter how good the acting is; it doesn't matter if the lead had a 'Bad Santa' or a 'Bad Moms' performance, if the movie is bad, it is not worth watching.
Disgusting trash
ftzrbhq6 February 2022
I mean, if you like murder and death this is your thing. Such a complete waste of time if senseless killing and murder. Acting is banal too. Very boring and an over whelming push of that hallmark feel. What you're left with is a sense of bloody death for no reason and a litany of terrible acting. People sure like their blood and guts.
Not very impressive for a comedy horror!
cynet-5233215 November 2023
Once you seen a movie in this genre you will realise they all suck in terms of quality as well as direction. I have seen worst quality movies of this low level so take my feedback as well as my scoring as acceptable for the movie in question.
Just wanted to add that I have never seen so many unattractive women iin one movie so lost more points just on that factor.
Overall if you fancy a Xmas horror movie based on what has come before as well as after then this movie might be for you.
Gather Covid couldn't stop this movie from going forward so it was meant to be in terms of general release.
5/10.
Just wanted to add that I have never seen so many unattractive women iin one movie so lost more points just on that factor.
Overall if you fancy a Xmas horror movie based on what has come before as well as after then this movie might be for you.
Gather Covid couldn't stop this movie from going forward so it was meant to be in terms of general release.
5/10.
Not great, but not terrible - but cheesy fun silly??!!
dharmashantilove22 December 2020
I gave it a 3/10 for the first 17 minutes, but really though, it somehow redeems itself around the 20minute mark.
Then it's so cheesy, kinda cheesy good. I even giggled a little. It's a fun silly little watch. A perfect distraction from 2020.
Then it's so cheesy, kinda cheesy good. I even giggled a little. It's a fun silly little watch. A perfect distraction from 2020.
Merry Christmas
maytheoddsbeeverinyourfavo20 December 2020
Hilarious horror spoof of Hallmark Christmas movies
terryi120 December 2020
Title of review pretty much says it all. This is a witty, well written and surprisingly well acted (for a SCI-FY channel movie), spoof of those sappy Christmas movies where the cynical big city gal returns to her rural home-town and finds both her Christmas spirit and true love. But now add a bonkers over-the-top Christmas town, Satan Clause, and a half-dozen grisly Christmas-themed murders and you have a recipe for fun.
I live in a famously over-the-top Christmas town so I really identified with the Ho Ho Hoedown and all the other non-stop holiday events in the movie. And the Hallmark spoof was right on--every man the heroine meets is a ruggedly handsome widower with a daughter, and they even find a way to throw in a prince. I also got a kick out of how there was exactly one African-America family and exactly one Jewish family in town--and that people try to 'vandalize' the Jewish family's house by putting Christmas lights on it. Perhaps a little longer than it needed to be, but a fun way to kill an afternoon.
I live in a famously over-the-top Christmas town so I really identified with the Ho Ho Hoedown and all the other non-stop holiday events in the movie. And the Hallmark spoof was right on--every man the heroine meets is a ruggedly handsome widower with a daughter, and they even find a way to throw in a prince. I also got a kick out of how there was exactly one African-America family and exactly one Jewish family in town--and that people try to 'vandalize' the Jewish family's house by putting Christmas lights on it. Perhaps a little longer than it needed to be, but a fun way to kill an afternoon.
I Wasn't Bored
sydsilverpants20 December 2020
It was a lovably mess. Had the feeling of a rushed production, and a bunch of people desperately pulling something together. But they're motivation were true and lovely, and in the end I had a great time. Hats off to all involved.
Stupid Fun
powerslave317226 December 2020
Not bad, needed a different ending, though.
bjoernhund30 December 2020
Warning: Spoilers
First of all, hats of to newcomers (at least to myself) Karen Knox (as Holly) & Jessica Clement (as Faith), well done. I hope to see them more in the future.
As for the film, it started of well, showing Holly seeing Santa & Xmas for the sham they are. Not into gore films at all, but I could deal with the little that was on offer along the way. Some scenes reminded me a bit of "Pushing Daisies" (that fantasy comedy show with Anna Friel from around 2007 that was ungloriously cancelled). As for the ending, -setting up a gay couple and getting a song performed to try and get rid of Satan was ridiculous (which didn't even work btw). If they'd shown Santa & Satan for what they are, betrayers, liars & pied pipers it'd been so much better than the glossy-coated PC ending (full of illogical plot holes) served up here. Oh well, people just lo-o-ove being led like Hansel & Gretel, don't they?
Fun parody of the Christmas rom-com
Preacher-622 December 2020
A silly parody of the Christmas romantic comedy genre with more meet-cutes and story morals than you can count.
It's not as over the top as many of the Syfy films, but it has a lot of laughs and is quite joyful.
It is to Hallmark what Sharknado was to Jaws.
What the hell even is this movie...
thebaradox1 January 2021
Hallmark Christmas Satire Miracle
freedominthewoods26 December 2020
This movie embodies every awful cheesy Hallmark and lifetime Christmas movie and turns the over the top gooey gum drop sappiness of it all into a dark satirical wonderland of comical holiday bliss, while still somehow sticking to the traditional holiday movie mold. Holiday camp at its finest I commend the director on their execution of this, even though it probably only turned out so well because the acting and budget matches the usual hallmark movie film. One for the whole family to enjoy!
Hahaha yes
melanierockhurst20 December 2020
This movie is Christmas Gold!!!!! I shall be watching this every festive season for the rest of my life. You can be drunk while you watch it, it doesn't matter how you feel about the season. It's got something for bitter scourges and overly joyous Kris Kringles!!!
Definitely puts me in the Christmas spirit!
hustleman-4053626 May 2023
Warning: Spoilers
**possible spoiler alert I guess
I love the serious reviews of this very obvious horror/comedy thinkpiece. I gave this movie 9/10 bc I watched it in May at 4am flipping channels and it had me laughing my fudging (from the movie shh) tush off.
As others have mentioned they took all the ridiculous camp of the hallmark/freeform/ lifetime Christmas movies, ratcheted it up to 11 and made fun of it for 90 minutes. I wish it had a bigger budget simply so Satan Claus could look better and the death scenes could've been a bit gorier.
The one funny thing is how Satan is defeated.. my friend and I were trying to guess what Santa was going to look like. I voted super jacked but were never graced with a visit from the big fella, instead he sends a riddle. Granted he was only asked how to pickle the beezelbub not for physical help...However, I had fun watching this, it'll never be a cult classic but definitely a decent B-ish movie.
I love the serious reviews of this very obvious horror/comedy thinkpiece. I gave this movie 9/10 bc I watched it in May at 4am flipping channels and it had me laughing my fudging (from the movie shh) tush off.
As others have mentioned they took all the ridiculous camp of the hallmark/freeform/ lifetime Christmas movies, ratcheted it up to 11 and made fun of it for 90 minutes. I wish it had a bigger budget simply so Satan Claus could look better and the death scenes could've been a bit gorier.
The one funny thing is how Satan is defeated.. my friend and I were trying to guess what Santa was going to look like. I voted super jacked but were never graced with a visit from the big fella, instead he sends a riddle. Granted he was only asked how to pickle the beezelbub not for physical help...However, I had fun watching this, it'll never be a cult classic but definitely a decent B-ish movie.
So much fun!
pinkstiletto25 December 2020
One Woman's Trash is another's Treasure
veronicakatescott21 December 2020
I went into this movie thinking I would hate it. Boy was I surprised. It might be my new favourite Christmas movie. The first twenty minutes are a bit slow, but Holly (the anti Hallmark heroine) really sucks you into her world of drunken escapades. The writing is hilarious, and the whole thing spoofs the sugar sweet classic holiday movie really well.
The special effects are cheesy, but who cares! This is parody at it's finest. The depiction of Satan is also fresh and fun. The dark Lord is a woman, but not sexy, oh no, this is nightmare levels of gross.
I thought the lead actress Karen Knox did a particularly good job. She's Canadian, so explains why I haven't seen her in more. Hoping that changes. Someone give her a t.v show! I'd watch it.
The special effects are cheesy, but who cares! This is parody at it's finest. The depiction of Satan is also fresh and fun. The dark Lord is a woman, but not sexy, oh no, this is nightmare levels of gross.
I thought the lead actress Karen Knox did a particularly good job. She's Canadian, so explains why I haven't seen her in more. Hoping that changes. Someone give her a t.v show! I'd watch it.
A fierce analysis on bourgeois gluttony
jirosworld23 December 2020
Warning: Spoilers
The undeservedly poor ratings are by reviewers who have not realised the true deeper meanings of this contemporary gem. Don't be misguided by the humor; this piece is a fierce analysis on bourgeois gluttony. It reveals the opium of toxic positivity for the masses of this thing branded as the 'jolly season.' Our main protagonist is a true heroine of our time. The way Holly Frost experiences Christmas in her hometown, is analogous to our own realities during feigned merriment. Holly is all of us. We are Holly. If you realise this, suddenly it all makes sense.
Holly's perspective and response to it all is the only right way to deal with the illusion of the holiday's festive gaze. She has to plow her way through a plethora of tropes and characters, nearly all cardboard cut-out overly excited Xmas fans. It is through Holly's Kafkaesque vision we get to experience our own truth. Her passage must escalate towards a continuous struggle for survival. Alcohol is the only thing that's getting Holly through this. And that's quite often the only way for many of us as well.
The fun and weird parts: everyone in this town has cliché'd names. These ditzy Hallmark-like empty shells are barely human. They all speak in tongues and only Holly has a real response to all of it. The town's collective love for Christmas feels like needles being pushed under your fingernails, and Holly understands this. Hers is not cynicism: it's the unfolding of the blinds from our eyes. No one is spared, just like in the reality of The System of privacy-invading capitalism we are living in.
The parody is strong here. And poignant. It seems nearly every character has dead parents; or is widowed due to past bizarre accidents. A makeover results in unrealistically curly hair. Plus: being gayfriendly is now a new trope.
Note: the evil antagonist mainly attacks consumerism. As proven by the word they (singular) utter during their first attack ('Hot topic...'). Film academics will observe the TV channel boss is reminiscent of the executives in the 1976's masterpiece 'Network.'
This film I enjoyed on even more levels and layers that can be unpacked here. Romance and action were never more society-critical and accurately camp than this. So get yourself some 'liquid courage' and enjoy this flick.
Merry Chri... Holidays everyone!
Holly's perspective and response to it all is the only right way to deal with the illusion of the holiday's festive gaze. She has to plow her way through a plethora of tropes and characters, nearly all cardboard cut-out overly excited Xmas fans. It is through Holly's Kafkaesque vision we get to experience our own truth. Her passage must escalate towards a continuous struggle for survival. Alcohol is the only thing that's getting Holly through this. And that's quite often the only way for many of us as well.
The fun and weird parts: everyone in this town has cliché'd names. These ditzy Hallmark-like empty shells are barely human. They all speak in tongues and only Holly has a real response to all of it. The town's collective love for Christmas feels like needles being pushed under your fingernails, and Holly understands this. Hers is not cynicism: it's the unfolding of the blinds from our eyes. No one is spared, just like in the reality of The System of privacy-invading capitalism we are living in.
The parody is strong here. And poignant. It seems nearly every character has dead parents; or is widowed due to past bizarre accidents. A makeover results in unrealistically curly hair. Plus: being gayfriendly is now a new trope.
Note: the evil antagonist mainly attacks consumerism. As proven by the word they (singular) utter during their first attack ('Hot topic...'). Film academics will observe the TV channel boss is reminiscent of the executives in the 1976's masterpiece 'Network.'
This film I enjoyed on even more levels and layers that can be unpacked here. Romance and action were never more society-critical and accurately camp than this. So get yourself some 'liquid courage' and enjoy this flick.
Merry Chri... Holidays everyone!
A fun satire
adalialives27 December 2020
This movie doesn't take itself seriously at all, and you shouldn't either. If you enjoy laughing at the ridiculous and predictable plots of Lifetime Christmas movies, you'll love Letters to Satan Claus. The acting isn't great, but that adds to the charm of the town baker informing everyone she lost 160+ pounds by naming each of her Christmas cookies and treating them like her children rather than taste testing them.
See also
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