The Honeycut: Is ‘Christmas Evil’ 80s Schlock or Something Deeper?

You Better Watch Out

I guess this is my Christmas special. 

Brian from the “Reviewing History Podcast” always knows the best holiday horror movies. He appeared on the show I co-host, the  “Midnight Terrors Podcast,” to discuss the cult classic, “Christmas Evil” from 1980, with Kevin and me.

After watching it, I thought it was just a weird grindhouse-style film. However, after talking with Brian and Kevin, I now want to rewatch it with a fresh perspective. They compared it to movies like “Joker” or “Taxi Driver.” So, is there more to this odd old-school movie than I first thought? 

The Story

After seeing his mother get plowed by Santa Claus (his father in costume), Harry Stadling develops an unhealthy obsession with the classic Christmas character, even into his adult life. However, following a series of unfortunate events, that obsession turns deadly. Harry dresses as Santa on Christmas Eve and goes on a holly jolly killing spree. 

Honey’s Cut

Harry skeeves me out. The guy is a real weirdo. In the first few minutes of the movie, we see him spying on children while taking notes for his “naughty and nice” list. He’s also an outcast at his job at a toy factory. Because, of course, the dude who’s infatuated with Santa works at a toy factory. He is simply an unlikable character, so it was hard to empathize with him. 

While he is strange, his heart does seem to be in the right place. Once he dons the Santa suit, he takes presents from the bad kids in his neighborhood and donates them to a children’s hospital. 

The ending seems to be the most talked-about scene in this movie. After he goes on his rampage and is hunted down by New Jersey villagers with torches, a la Frankenstein’s Monster, he drives his festive van off a bridge.

You would think we’d then see it crash into the river below. You’d be wrong. The van takes flight and glides off into the night sky. I did not see that coming.

Did Harry actually become Santa Claus that night? Or was it all from the POV of an unreliable narrator?

There are a few scenes in “Christmas Evil” like the ending, where things happen that seem too fantastical to be real. I like to think we see these events through Harry’s eyes as he descends deeper into yuletide madness. It adds a layer of depth to a movie that would otherwise be another killer Santa flick.

Although, it is also funny to think he did become Saint Nick when he drove off the bridge, and now Santa is a mass murderer and we all just kind of accept it.

So, did Brian and Kevin change my mind about this one? I don’t know; I’d have to watch it again with all this in mind. I’ll let you know next year. Maybe.

Honey’s Final Thought

Regardless of what really did or didn’t happen in the film, I think it speaks to something deeper in all of us. Harry is a good-natured guy. He’s a creep, but he is basically harmless in the beginning. What sends him off the rails is when he sees how terrible people can be.

I think a lot of us can relate to Harry. I’d say most people grow up pretty naïve and innocent, like he was. However, once you see just how heartless the world can be, that innocence and naivety can turn to bitterness and resentment.

I suppose the onus is on each of us to try to keep some of that childlike hope and belief when things come crashing down, as hard as that can be. Otherwise, you’ll end up wearing an Easter Bunny costume and driving a pickaxe through some poor sap’s head.