The Krampus Movie: A Real Honest Review (+ Every Other Krampus Movie)
When the Krampus movie came out in 2015, I pretty much knew it was going to be... not great. I'm not a huge fan of horror films to begin with, but I do love fantasy and I do love Krampus. The 2015 film Krampus is classified as fantasy, comedy, horror. I first watched it with my husband at home. I wasn't super enthused about the choice, but... I had the last pick and he sat through Trolls, so... I watched Krampus.
Quick background if you're new here: Krampus is the horned, half-goat companion of St. Nikolaus from Alpine Christmas folklore. He shows up on Krampusnacht, December 5th, to deal with the naughty kids. (Full story: Who is Krampus? The Legend of Krampus & Krampusnacht.)
Skip ahead:
Krampus movie synopsis
My hot takes
Oh snap! There are MORE Krampus movies from 2015?
But wait... there's MORE?!
Inaccuracy and Americanization: missing the mark on Krampus
Conclusion: deck the halls with howls of horror
image source: http://www.broadsheet.ie/2015/09/11/broadsheet-trailer-park-krampus/
Krampus Movie Synopsis
In the 2015 horror-comedy Krampus, directed by Michael Dougherty, a dysfunctional suburban family falls apart over Christmas. The film opens with frenzied holiday shopping madness, setting the stage for the mayhem to come.
Young Max Engel (Emjay Anthony) is the last believer in the Christmas spirit in his family. His parents Tom (Adam Scott) and Sarah (Toni Collette), his sister Beth (Stefania LaVie Owen), and his visiting Aunt Linda (Allison Tolman) and her boorish family are all at each other's throats.
After a disastrous Christmas Eve dinner, Max sees this hot mess of a holiday and loses his Christmas spirit. He tears up his heartfelt letter to Santa... and apparently that's enough to unleash the wrath of Krampus on the entire family.
Soon a blizzard swallows the neighborhood, the power goes out, and strange cloven hoofprints show up in the snow.
Twisted, demonic versions of Christmas icons, like evil gingerbread men and a carnivorous teddy bear, wreak havoc on the house. The family has to band together, fighting off Krampus' minions with improvised weapons and a fair amount of dark humor.
As the night wears on, Max makes a selfless gesture to try to save his family. The ending has a twist that leaves you wondering what Krampus' punishment really was. Max wakes up in bed on Christmas morning, not sure if any of it was real.
image source: http://manapop.com/film/krampus-2015-review/
My Hot Takes
Let's start with the fact that Krampus doesn't actually "unleash" anything in the legend. So... a giant angry gingerbread cookie coming to life and attacking family members, evil teddy bears eating people... I dunno, it's weird and totally unrelated to the actual legend of Krampus.
The best part of the movie is the Oma. Her lines are all in German and they're great. I did enjoy the bits and pieces of German thrown in... and the snide comments from Aunt Dorothy, played by Conchata Ferrell, are top notch. Her snark made me laugh, which was good considering I spent most of the film with some serious side eye.
image source: https://123wtf.me/2016/03/28/wtf-krampus-2015/
Now let's talk about Krampus himself (the whole point of the movie if you ask me). He looked like a creepy old Santa Claus with horns. The beard and the pale human skin were pretty gross and nothing like any Krampus I've ever seen at a Krampuslauf. Real Krampus is all shaggy fur, goat horns, a long red tongue and a hand-carved wooden mask.
There is the argument that he kinda looks like...
Knecht Ruprecht
Knecht Ruprecht ("Farmhand Rupert" or "Servant Rupert") is another figure from German Christmas folklore. In some regions he's the companion of St. Nikolaus instead of Krampus, helping figure out which kids have been naughty or nice. He wears tattered clothes and carries a bundle of switches or a bag of coal.
Trust me, he's not here for your excuses. In some versions he tosses a treat to the well-behaved, but mostly he's all about tough love. Same idea as Krampus... kindness and consequences, side by side. (More on how this plays out on St. Nikolaus Day in my post on German Christmas traditions.)
Anyway... back to this silly Krampus film. He might look a little like what I imagine Knecht Ruprecht looks like, but Knecht Ruprecht wears a brown or black tattered cloak, not red. Finally seeing Krampus at the end was a pretty big disappointment for me.
image source: http://villains.wikia.com/wiki/Krampus_(Krampus)
image source: https://ttcritic.wordpress.com/2015/12/05/krampus-2015/
I kinda already spoiled how the movie ends, but in case this riveting review has inspired you to see it for yourself, it's only 1 hour and 38 minutes. It wasn't one of those movies where afterwards I think, "Man... I really could use those hours back." I'd give this movie a solid C.
Oh Snap! There are MORE Krampus Movies from 2015?
There are! Are they better than this one? I would argue no. For someone who loves the legend of Krampus and watching footage of real Krampusläufe from Germany and Austria... they're equally odd and disappointing. Here we go:
Krampus: The Reckoning
Ah, the perils of a hastily made cash-in on the Krampus craze. Krampus: The Reckoning (2015) is a stark reminder that not all holiday horror is created equal. This low-budget movie tries to ride the coattails of the bigger Krampus film but doesn't have the substance to keep you watching.
It seems to have confused "Krampus" with a run-of-the-mill supernatural thriller, swapping real scares for lackluster jump scares. The snark here is less intentional wit and more head-scratching at the missed potential.
A Christmas Horror Story
If you're craving more holiday horror, A Christmas Horror Story (2015) is the gift that keeps on giving. This anthology weaves together four tales, with Krampus as the shadowy thread that ties them together.
The best part is how audacious it is. Picture Santa Claus duking it out with Krampus while a high school Christmas party devolves into chaos. It's just so silly.
Wearing our Gruß vom Krampus T-shirt... a much better Krampus look than the movie's, if I do say so myself.
But wait... there's MORE?!
Yes... there are. Here's a list of movies featuring Krampus in recent years. Heads up: the quality and how closely they stick to the real folklore vary a LOT. Check reviews or trailers before you commit.
- Krampus (2015): Directed by Michael Dougherty. A dysfunctional family has to survive the wrath of Krampus and his minions over Christmas. Starring Adam Scott and Toni Collette.
- Krampus: The Reckoning (2015): A low-budget horror film about a young girl who seems to be haunted by a force resembling Krampus.
- A Christmas Horror Story (2015): An anthology of four connected stories, including a showdown between Santa Claus and Krampus.
- Krampus Unleashed (2016): A straight-to-DVD horror film where treasure hunters accidentally unleash Krampus.
- Krampus: The Devil Returns (2016): A sequel to Krampus: The Reckoning.
- Mother Krampus (2017): Also known as The 12 Deaths of Christmas, about a vengeful Christmas witch who punishes the naughty.
- Krampus Origins (2018): Explores the origins of Krampus in a story set around World War I.
- Krampus: A Haunted Christmas (2019): A group of friends accidentally summon Krampus while celebrating Christmas.
Planning a Krampus movie night? Light a Krampusnacht Candle (spicy, smoky sandalwood... very on theme), grab a blanket, and keep the little ones far away from all of these. For kids, a Krampus story like "Krampus Meets His Match" is a much better first introduction.
Inaccuracy and Americanization: Missing the Mark on Krampus
All of these Krampus films serve up a heaping helping of holiday horror, but they take a LOT of creative liberties with the original legend. The Alpine folklore of Krampus is steeped in centuries-old traditions, far removed from the Americanized, jump-scare spectacles we get in these movies. The complexities of the legend get flattened for a broad American audience, which leaves purists like me wanting something more authentic.
Want the real thing? Skip the movie and go see a Krampus parade near you. Hand-carved masks, giant cowbells, actual Alpine tradition. Way scarier than a killer teddy bear.
Conclusion: Deck the Halls with Howls of Horror
Krampus movies have carved out a niche that mixes mirth with mayhem and snark with scares. But these legends are very clearly being bent to please an audience that isn't looking for real tradition. Plainly put... not my favorite films. I do enjoy all the attention Krampus has been getting in recent years, though.
So as you cozy up by the fire this holiday season, keep one eye on the chimney and the other on the shadows. Krampus might be lurking, ready to add a touch of fear to your silent night.
Did you see these movies? What did you think? Tell me in the comments.