Fashionable films hardly ever trigger a stir like “Silent Evening, Lethal Evening” did in 1984.
The low-budget shocker confirmed a serial killer dressed as ol’ St. Nick slicing and dicing his manner by the vacations. Many Individuals recoiled on the imagery.
Even Siskel & Ebert cried foul.
“I want to hear the filmmakers clarify to their kids and their grandchildren that it’s solely a film.” – Roger Ebert.
Now, bloody Santas are a part of the Yuletide custom – make of that what you’ll.
So “Silent Evening, Lethal Evening” has its work reduce out for it. The remake takes the “Dexter” route, imagining the psychologically scarred killer as a vigilante finding out who’s naughty and good.
What’s lacking? Real scares, for starters.
Younger Billy witnesses his mother and father’ homicide in a chilling prologue. The lad, completely scarred by the assault, takes on the spirit of the killer.
Stated killer was dressed as Santa Claus for some purpose. Now, an grownup Billy (an efficient Rohan Campbell) hacks individuals to dying whereas sporting the identical pink and white ensemble.
The fluffy white fur shortly turns pink with blood, after all.
He’s egged on by Charlie (Mark Acheson of “Elf” fame), a voice in his head that coaxes him to kill with out getting himself caught. It’s a captivating factor to deliver to the remake, and Acheson’s voice is the film’s chief promoting level.
Billy finds work at a Mother and Pop-style comfort retailer the place he meets Pam (Ruby Modine, daughter of Matthew). The 2 unexpectedly click on, however can Billy hold his interest a secret from her?
Or is she much more twisted than Billy?
First poster for the ‘SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT’ remake.
In theaters on December 12. pic.twitter.com/mKHEcDGck6
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) October 16, 2025
Add a jealous ex-boyfriend, a separate serial killer and a Nazi hoedown and you’ve got extra components than needed for a slasher movie.
These Nazis counsel the movie’s determined quest to offend. It’s a murder-palooza that’s indifferently choreographed, pointless and politically timid.
Ooooh, our antihero is killing Nazis! who ELSE is a Nazi? There’s no overt political nods right here, nevertheless it nonetheless feels protected, not subversive.
The section does finish with one of many movie’s higher “kills,” for what that’s value.
Author/director Mike P. Nelson (the tepid “Unsuitable Flip” reboot) will get essentially the most from his forged, from the results in supplemental gamers. The Christmas tunes add some snark to the proceedings, too.
Campbell and Modine share real chemistry as extraordinarily misplaced souls determined for a life line. Too dangerous the movie’s horror beats hold getting in the best way. That shouldn’t be a difficulty for a style movie, however the generic murders and milquetoast subplots barely maintain our curiosity.
Had “Silent Evening, Lethal Evening” leaned into its bloody rom-com DNA it might need made extra sense.
As is, the remake presents a twisted different to Rudolph, Buddy the Elf and the Snow Miser. If that’s your pace this vacation season, it’s higher to stay with “Unhealthy Santa,” “Violent Evening” and “Krampus” and skip one mediocre “Evening.”
HiT or Miss: “Silent Evening, Lethal Evening” isn’t offensive just like the 1984 authentic. It’s additionally not attention-grabbing sufficient to get outraged about.