Christmas Bloody Christmas Is Too Violent for Mainstream Audiences

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Since it launched, Shudder has become a leading streaming service for original horror. It’s known for giving independent and first-time directors a place to showcase their films, many of which wouldn’t get distribution otherwise. Movies like When Evil Lurks, Oddity, and Late Night with the Devil have been critically acclaimed and popular with audiences in recent years. Shudder’s original films often explore more unique and challenging themes than mainstream horror, as seen in its intensely violent holiday film, Christmas Bloody Christmas.

Joe Begos’ 2022 horror film began as an idea to remake the 1984 movie Silent Night, Deadly Night, but it evolved into its own unique story during the COVID-19 pandemic. The film was well-received by critics, earning a 78% score on Rotten Tomatoes for Christmas horror. If you enjoy violent holiday movies like Terrifier 3 or Christmas Evil, Christmas Bloody Christmas is a must-watch for your holiday horror marathon.

Christmas Bloody Christmas Is a Holiday Horror Version of The Terminator

Despite being a science fiction classic, James Cameron’s 1984 film The Terminator is fundamentally a slasher movie. Imagine if it had been made purely as a graphic, old-school horror film – that’s essentially what it is at its heart.

I just finished watching Christmas Bloody Christmas, and it’s wild! Basically, the movie starts by explaining that these animatronic Santas were recalled because of a glitch – they were originally built as super dangerous killbots for the military! When one of these robotic Santas goes haywire at a toy store and starts killing everyone, it spots Tori. She quickly becomes the Santa’s next target, and we realize she’s probably the only one who’s going to survive the whole thing.

In Christmas Bloody Christmas, Santa Claus isn’t spreading cheer – he’s on a violent spree targeting anyone indulging in vices like sex, drugs, and rock and roll. He uses whatever weapons he can find, from axes to lasers, and shows no mercy, not even to children. This robotic Santa feels completely invincible, and his attacks on the police stations feel like a deliberate challenge.

Joe Begos Is a Director That Horror Fans Should Get Excited About

Though he might not be a household name yet, filmmaker Joe Begos is making waves in the horror genre. Over the past ten years, he’s directed several impressive movies, including the sci-fi horror films Almost Human and The Mind’s Eye, the film Bliss, and the action-packed horror movie VFW, which stars a group of classic action heroes.

Begos consistently creates visually striking films, often with a dark, neon aesthetic, and pairs them with energetic synthesizer soundtracks that build tension and lead to violent climaxes. He uses gore in a way that’s almost playful, and he’s known for unexpectedly killing off characters you’d expect to survive, keeping audiences on edge. Films like VFW and Christmas Bloody Christmas are prime examples of his style.

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Begos might not be as well-known or wealthy as some other horror directors, but he’s skilled at creating effective films on a small budget. The result is movies that deliver everything horror fans want and are genuinely fun to watch.

Begos’ movies are usually well-received, but his biggest challenge is simply getting people to watch them. That might change with his new film, Christmas Bloody Christmas, which could bring a forgotten style of horror back into the spotlight, spreading excitement like Christmas cheer.

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2025-12-25 17:27