You better watch out, you better not cry, better not pout, I’m telling you why: Santa – no, it’s not Saint Nicholas that’s coming down the chimney in Universal’s upcoming festive film Krampus, but rather a half-goat, half-demon Pagan entity.
Forget spoiled gifts and stockings stuff with coal, Michael Dougherty’s atypical holiday release will introduce a new form of horror with its titular spirit, and today’s featurette maps out its eerie history. Spanning generations, Krampus is depicted as a wretched, horned and anthropomorphic being that stalks young children during the Christmas season who have been up to no good.
Having already brought a flair and sense of style to Halloween with Trick ‘r Treat back in 2007, Dougherty’s new movie opens much like any other festive release that’ll soon be cramming up theaters. Centering on Max (Emjay Anthony), Krampus sees our young protagonist turn his back on Christmas after witnessing his family fall into disarray upon arguing over trivial matters. What Max doesn’t realize, though, is that the titular demonic force is attracted to the aura of non-believers, and its presence quickly morphs Universal’s film from a family comedy to all-out festive horror.
Adam Scott, Toni Collette, David Koechner, Allison Tolman, Conchata Ferrell, Stefania Lavie Owen and Krista Stadler will come together for a decidely different take on your typical festive film when Krampus slithers into theaters on December 4. In the meantime, you can catch a fleeting glimpse of the titular deity – horns, warts and all – via the new poster below.
Legendary Pictures’ Krampus, a darkly festive tale of a yuletide ghoul, reveals an irreverently twisted side to the holiday. When his dysfunctional family clashes over the holidays, young Max (Emjay Anthony) is disillusioned and turns his back on Christmas. Little does he know, this lack of festive spirit has unleashed the wrath of Krampus: a demonic force of ancient evil intent on punishing non-believers. All hell breaks loose as beloved holiday icons take on a monstrous life of their own, laying siege to the fractured family’s home and forcing them to fight for each other if they hope to survive.