It is Christmas and Engels, parents Tom and Sarah, children Max and Beth and grandmother 'Omi', have invited Sarah's siblings and their families to stay in their large home. From the moment they open the door it is clear that they are, to put it mildly, less refined... Max's dream of a lovely Christmas is doomed. Upset he tears up his letter to Santa and throws it out of the window... little knowing that he will summon Krampus; a demonic spirit who punishes those who haven't been as good as they might have been. A blizzard hits the town and the power goes out... soon people start being taken and attacked by demented versions of Christmas favourites.
I quite enjoyed this film. Although I don't think it is in the same league it should appeal to those who enjoyed the mean-spirited Christmas mayhem of 'Gremlins'. It opens really well with a familiar Christmas song playing over scenes of near riot in a pre-Christmas sale before introducing us the 'normal' Engels and their somewhat dysfunctional relatives. Once the scares start they build nicely; at first we only get glimpses of the potential danger but later we see them in all their demented glory... I loved the gingerbread men armed with a nail-gun! Grampus himself is suitable scary; like a horned anti-Father Christmas. There are some decent scary moments and quite a few laughs but nothing really disturbing. The cast does a fine job and the special effects are impressive. Overall I wouldn't say this is a must see but I can see it being a festive favourite among horror fans.
