Marcus Flor vs. Krampus (2015)

Are you ready for the holiday season yet? What better way to prepare for this especially joyous December than by watching Krampus!

With how cynical this movie is, I think it's quite appropriate for this pandemic edition of the holidays. Krampus rides the line between satirical comedy and genuine horror movie, sometimes veering too hard in either direction. This creates tonal dissonance at times, but not too frequently.

The dissonance is most apparent with the in-laws in Krampus, who are full-on caricatures. They work well for the Christmas satire, but feel a bit too one dimensional for "serious horror mode." I think, if this movie went full on slasher cheese, they would've worked better.

It's not that I don't think comedy and horror can't be mixed together. But Krampus doesn't completely stick the landing for me. There is still plenty of twisted Christmas spooks to be had, though. I appreciate them giving the titular monster henchmen, and not making him a one-trick pony.

Regardless of my gripes, this movie is still a darkly fun time for the holidays. Grab your heavily rum-laced eggnog and enjoy. Krampus is a Good.

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