Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Brutal
- eerie
- darkly comic
- disturbing
- christmas horror marathon
- late night horror viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly regard the film as an unusual, visually distinctive, psychologically motivated holiday horror with memorable humor and social themes, though its pacing and direction divide viewers.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Harry's Santa fixation and yuletide killing spree transform toys, church imagery, and seasonal decorations into unsettling horror motifs.
Harry's lifelong obsession begins with the formative shock of discovering that Santa is not real.
Harry reacts to cynicism and hypocrisy that contradict the Christmas ideals of charity, hope, and goodwill.
The story follows toy-maker Harry closely and emphasizes his moral concerns and alienation before and during his violent breakdown.
Films like Christmas Evil, and why
Silent Night, Deadly Night
holiday horror, killer santa imagery, and darkly comic slasher sensibility
Black Christmas
seasonal slasher violence, eccentric killer psychology, and cult horror appeal
Gremlins
offbeat holiday horror, grotesque humor, and subversive Christmas imagery
Maniac
psychological instability, social alienation, and morally unsettling horror
Movie Details
- Director
- Lewis Jackson
- Release Date
- 1980-11-01
- Runtime
- 94 min
- Rating
- 5.5 / 10 (205)
Cast
- Brandon Maggart
- Jeffrey DeMunn
- Dianne Hull
- Andy Fenwick
- Brian Neville
- Joe Jamrog
- Wally Moran
- Gus Salud
- Ellen McElduff
- Brian Hartigan
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, Philo, Night Flight Plus, Screambox Amazon Channel, Eternal Family, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Chilling, Cineverse Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Christmas Evil about?
- A psychologically scarred toy-maker turns his desperate belief in Christmas goodwill into a disturbing Santa-themed killing spree.
- What is Christmas Evil like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Christmas Evil as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Christmas Evil violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Christmas Evil as brutal.
- What did critics think of Christmas Evil?
- Critics broadly regard the film as an unusual, visually distinctive, psychologically motivated holiday horror with memorable humor and social themes, though its pacing and direction divide viewers.
- Which films are like Christmas Evil?
- Films with a similar feel include Silent Night, Deadly Night, Black Christmas, Gremlins, and Maniac.
- How long is Christmas Evil?
- Christmas Evil runs 94 minutes.
- Where can I watch Christmas Evil?
- In United States, Christmas Evil streams on Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, Philo, Night Flight Plus, Screambox Amazon Channel, Eternal Family, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Chilling, Cineverse Amazon Channel.
