Krampus (2015 movie)

[Hedji]

My whole family went to see Krampus today. I'll start by saying we grew up German, and were raised on St. Nicholas Day and Black Peter, so this idea of the punishment companion to St. Nicholas fit our sensibilities like a warm Christmas mitten. So, having grown up with this character, who seems to have only recently gained pop culture familiarity, I do consider myself a little biased. That said...

We had a rollicking good time with this film. It's beautifully made, hits all the right beats with plenty of laughs and scares. And of course, it has heart as well. This is not a terrifying movie... it's more like a throwback to Amblin films of old like Gremlins.

The legend was slightly "Americanized" to make this marketable to a modern audience, but it still got the character mostly right. I doubt this will be a box office smash. Most people don't like to mix horror with Christmas. But this is a fun, fun movie.

1st Day purchase on blu ray for me.

And I already preordered the score:

http://waxworkrecords.com/collection...ant=8951059077

I also love Dougherty's other film, Trick 'R Treat, so I guess he's 2 for 2.

[enyawd72]

My wife and I saw it last night...LOVED IT!
Had a definite creep factor...the comedy bits were great. Might have my new favorite line from a movie.
I think this one is gonna become a holiday classic.
I foresee it being on television every Christmas in years to come.

[Nostalgiabuff]

wow, was not expecting such positive reviews on it. now I will have to check it out

[Nostalgiabuff]

it's interesting. I was raised in a very German household as well, we still celebrate St. Nicholas day(today) and I don't remember ever hearing of Krampus until recently. I was just talking with a friend about it last night, also raised in a very German household and she said the same thing

[Hedji]

I think it was very regional. And not only in Germany, but Austria and other surrounding territories. He had many names. Schwarze Peter, Knecht Ruprecht, and Krampus among them, but they all represent the same concept. For my family, it was Black Peter (Scwarze Peter).

[Hedji]

I really wish they'd make replicas of these:

[PNGwynne]

Sounds interesting--I wasn't sure from the varied trailers if this was a full-on horror film, or something more blended like "Gremlins."

Wikipedia has some fascinating entries on regional European variations of St. Nicholas' punitive companion.

[Gorn Captain]

I think it was very regional. And not only in Germany, but Austria and other surrounding territories. He had many names. Schwarze Peter, Knecht Ruprecht, and Krampus among them, but they all represent the same concept. For my family, it was Black Peter (Scwarze Peter).

The Dutch/Flemish "Sinterklaas" has an assistent called "Zwarte Piet", basically "Black Pete". From this year on, he's no longer "all black", as they deemed it racist. He's now a white guy with some soot from the chimney on his face...

[palitoy]

We had black Peter growing up, he was explained to me as a guy with soot on his face. I don't think we had any imagery.

[Hedji]

Oh there are some pretty strange ideas out there. One concept was that Ol' Krampus was quite the Ladies' Man. He is sometimes depicted as a suave but devilish gentleman, carting away happy eager young ladies.



Google "Krampus girls" and you'll see examples that are wilder even than these.

One 'misconception' is that he is Santa's enemy. There were lots of of postcards that depicted them traveling together. And as the Germans loved their Autos, we got stuff like this:



Now, as much as I loved Dougherty's film interpretation, there is a script rattling in my brain for a Krampus/St. Nick buddy road movie, played for dark comedy. It's on my top five list of films I'd make if I had the means.

[Hedji]

Sounds interesting--I wasn't sure from the varied trailers if this was a full-on horror film, or something more blended like "Gremlins."

Dougherty has gone on record stating they were going for a throwback Amblin vibe, definitely. Those looking for gory intensity need not apply. This could've gotten a PG in the 80s.

[drquest]

I just got back from seeing this. My 13 year old went along with 4 of his friends.

I really liked the move a lot! Chills and thrills, but not over the top like they seem to do with stuff like this now a days. Suspense was allowed to build and continue to hold, which is excellent. Lots of funny stuff... I would probably compare it to Gremlins in the horror/comedy category.

It went above and beyond what I expected of the movie.

[JRT!]

But did your 13 year old like it?

I'll see it when I get to L.A. for xmas,along with this little thing called Star Wars or something. Could be a fun little sci fi movie. LOL!! At least a teaser trailer for new Trek movie is attached to it,so I'm happy.

J-R!

[drquest]

But did your 13 year old like it?

I'll see it when I get to L.A. for xmas,along with this little thing called Star Wars or something. Could be a fun little sci fi movie. LOL!! At least a teaser trailer for new Trek movie is attached to it,so I'm happy.

J-R!

Yeah my 13 year old and all of his friends liked it, they were still talking about it the next day

[JRT!]

BRILLIANT! It left an impression. lol

J-R!