Krampus (film)

Krampus is a 2015 Christmas comedy horror film based on the eponymous character from Austro-Bavarian folklore, directed by Michael Dougherty, who co-wrote with Todd Casey and Zach Shields.It tells the story of a dysfunctional family squabbling causing a young boy (Max) to lose his festive spirit enough to unleash the wrath of Krampus, a fearsome, horned demonic beast in ancient European folklore who punishes naughty children at Christmas time.Although initially moved by his father's advice, still in a lasting fit of anger, Max tears up the letter and tosses it out the window; whereupon it is swept up into the sky.The family fends off the toys and gingerbread men, until Krampus's dark Christmas elves leap in through the window; taking Howard, Dorothy, and Chrissie.The house is shown through a magical surveillance snow globe, along with hundreds of others in a vast collection in Krampus's underworld lair for him to monitor and spy on for having spared them.[a] Michael Dougherty had "always wanted to do a scary Christmas movie", but the idea did not take form until his friends sent him an e-card featuring the Krampus creature which was, according to him "just love at first sight."Although this, according to Dougherty, happened in "the ancient times of the internet" the project would not be fleshed out until 2011, at which point he would team up with Zach Shields and Todd Casey to figure out the story.This release features new bonus content such as interviews, commentaries, and featurettes, and runs approximately four minutes longer than the original theatrical edition.[17] The comic is written by Brandon Seifert and features stories by writer/director Michael Dougherty and movie co-writers Zach Shields and Todd Casey.[3] In North America, Krampus earned $637,000 from its Thursday night showings, which began at 7 p.m.,[21] and topped the box office on its opening day with $6 million.The website's critical consensus reads "Krampus is gory good fun for fans of non-traditional holiday horror with a fondness for Joe Dante's B-movie classics, even if it doesn't have quite the savage bite its concept calls for.
(L-R) Moderator Chris Hardwick , director Michael Dougherty , and cast members Toni Collette and Adam Scott at the 2015 San Diego Comic-Con to promote the film.
Michael DoughertyThomas TullAdam ScottToni ColletteDavid KoechnerAllison TolmanConchata FerrellEmjay AnthonyStefania LaVie OwenJules O'LoughlinDouglas PipesLegendary PicturesUniversal PicturesChristmascomedy horror filmeponymous characterAustro-Bavarian folkloredysfunctional familyKrampusPrincipal photographyWeta WorkshopUnited StatesSanta Clausbulldogblizzardjack-in-the-boxhardships of the war in Europebaublemenacing toyssnowplowGideon EmerySeth GreenBreehn BurnsJustin RoilandIvy Georgescary Christmase-cardWaxwork RecordsChris HardwickSan Diego Comic-ConKrampusnachtBlu-rayUniversal Pictures Home EntertainmentUnited KingdomShout! FactoryLegendary ComicsFiona StaplesSpirit HalloweenCanadaNorth AmericaThe Good DinosaurForbesBlack ChristmasRotten TomatoesJoe DanteB-movieMetacriticCinemaScoreEmpire AwardsSaturn AwardsKrampus in popular cultureList of comedy horror filmsList of holiday horror filmsCentral EuropeBritish Board of Film ClassificationLibrary of CongressBox Office MojoDread CentralThe Hollywood ReporterPrometheus Global MediaThe A.V. ClubThe OnionTheWrapThe NumbersDennis PublishingCraveOnline MediaLegendary EntertainmentDeadline HollywoodPenske Business MediaMendelson, ScottFandangoCBS InteractiveThe IndependentVarietyTrick 'r Treat