No assembly RequireD

While presents are often expected during the Christmas and holiday season there is still nothing better than being treated with something you did not expect. Sure one could say that is not the meaning of the holidays but let’s be honest it is nice to be given a present and even better when it truly feels like a surprise. SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT is just that. A great Christmas surprise. But the surprise is a little twisted in itself. To hear about a remake of the 1984 cult horror hit “Silent Night, Deadly Night” is far from surprising. Every film nowadays gets either remade or rebooted with some legacy cast. Especially in terms of of the horror genre. But where the real treat lies is within director Mike P. Nelson’s decision not to simply retell the story of young Billy who experiences the worst Christmas ever but rather take the franchise and give it a wonderfully savage reimagining. To not just deliver a present under the tree, but rather one that reshapes your entire Christmas morning. SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT is not just one of the best surprises of the year but instantly brought up to par with the original film destined for holiday season repeat viewings. So you better be nice because Santa has got a brand new bag, and let’s just say he is out for some bloody holiday treats.

Christmastime doesn’t mean happiness for everyone. Especially for little Billy Chapman (Logan Sawyer). For Billy Christmas means death. When he was just a young boy he witnessed not only his grandfather dying in front of him, but his parents were brutally murdered by a mysterious man dressed up as Santa. Now in his twenties Billy (Rohan Campbell) is a passerby who while still dealing with the traumatic events of his childhood also has a voice he hears in his head that guides him towards his now violent and deadly ways. Stripping away the orphanage storyline of the original Nelson (who also wrote the script) brings Billy into sort of “Dexter” or “Venom” like behavior that only shares its resemblances for a short manner before diving into its own devious territories. Campbell who already has built a name in horror for himself with the controversial “Halloween Ends” fits right into another outcast role, but even as a man removed from society Campbell always plays Billy as a person trying to connect with others even if it seems impossible. Perhaps that is why he finds the quiet Christmas town of Hacket so charming. His new found town comes with an adorable little Christmas store run by Mr. Sims (David Lawrence Brown) and his daughter Pamela (Ruby Modine). What makes SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT all the more exciting early on is that it is not afraid to dive into adorable territory all while knowing that both the film and its audience are expecting full on bloodbaths. In creating this balance it allows us to know the violence Billy is definitely heading towards while also wanting to deeply root for the man who just wants some holiday cheer.

Unfortunately the town of Hacket is no Hallmark movie. Or perhaps maybe it truly is as it does what Christmastime does best, and that is create a happy go lucky energy to hide all the evil. Guided by the voice in his head who Billy calls Charlie (Mark Acheson), it soon guides him to the reality and dangers of Hacket, and while the franchise has never shed light on bloodshed it is a delight to see that Mike P. Nelson and his practical effects crew have some giant bloodbaths in store. What is in store is something no critic would dare to spoil but it is not as common anymore to deliver not just one but several cheer worthy moments in horror. A genre that has basked for the last decade or so in the “elevated” genre (whatever that means) instead chooses the all out slasher route that screams big audience crowd pleaser. This violence never short on buckets of blood feels right at home in coming from the studio Cineverse that brought the “Terrifier” franchise into megadome. But unlike that pesky Art the Clown, Billy is driven not just by his own pain but also knowing that the world deserves to be rid of anyone who is willing to bring harm onto those that are good. Billy certainly checks his list twice, and Nelson and cinematographer Nick Junkersfield have a joy with these moments.

But even with big and brutal set pieces that could fill up a house full of stockings, SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT never forgets who is holding both the axe and heart of the film. It must be said that the original franchise films, especially its sequels, have been attached to the term “camp” in that, yes there is some great silliness and absurdity to them (you can’t mention them without someone shouting, “garbage day!”) however one thing that always drove the first film was pain. In fact this critic would argue that Robert Brian Wilson’s performance in the first film is up there for one of the best in horror. A deeply saddened portrayal of trauma all while trying to grow past the pain. That is why Campbell as Billy and Ruby Modine as Pamela allow for their characters to reach even further beyond the horrors. The script greatly respects the mental obstacles both Billy and Pamela face every day. Pamela fighting back her own surprising anger feels like an honest depiction of both holding in frustration as well as the challenges people with OCD face on daily occurrence when small inconveniences can quickly grow and feel like overload. The film also has one final truck up its sleeve in finding its way to a charming duo that doesn’t just consist of Billy and Pamela and shows that while the original film may have been about Billy without a family per say this time around Billy may get what he’s always wanted. SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT may not seem like the heartfelt holiday romp but in some regards it succeeds even the most sentimental family friendly.

It is rare today to see a remake whether it’s a reimaging or not to be welcomed with open arms by long time fans. And while toxicity can play into that there is also just the truth of you can’t please them all. Very few films can or even should. But for all that SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT just feels like a much needed gift. A film that balks at the idea of doing things the same just because of tradition. And in the season where things can feel familiar it is nice to to see what new things lie underneath the tree.

A-

SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT WILL BE RELEASED IN THEATERS JANUARY 12 FROM CINEVERSE