KrampusMissed this a couple Christmases ago, so my oldest daughter and I caught up with it. If I had spoken to the director ahead of time, I would have recommended that he reduce the number of references to other Christmas horror films, especially those with a macabre sense of humor. The more I thought about Gremlins or Rare Exports, the less I appreciated this film. I could see what they were going for, and it was... fine. Sometimes good. The end was a cool surprise, for instance. But mostly I wanted it to be more. More funny, more interesting. I suspect that by the time Christmas comes around, I'll have a hard time remembering this Christmas Vacation meets Critters.
3/5
- Slightly Scary, because of danger to kids
MartyrsBrutally unrelenting. Well, that's not technically true. There are a couple pauses in the first third that we think this film will have the usual exchange between normal life and grizzly horror. Nope. Don't believe it. I feel beaten.
Ten year old Lucy is found, escaping from her torturers and put in an orphanage. Amy befriends her and cares for her. Then she finds out about Lucy's companion, who digs trenches in her skin with knives. Fifteen years later, Lucy is taking revenge.
I kept wondering if it were over yet. I check the clock and it's only a third over. After the second third, I figured it had to be almost over. Nope, still another half hour to go. Why am I accepting this? Why stay with the girls, suffer with them? Frankly, I think I owe it to them, they have suffered so much. Not once did I remember during the film that they are fictional and that none of this is real.
Somehow, I was able to think in the midst of this. The original Greek word, "martys" actually meant a witness, someone who observed something and then would testify. They suffer because they need to tell us significant information. For this reason the end seems even more horrifying and pointless. I sunk when I realized that was all there was. First I wanted it to end, then I wanted a bit more.
It is a powerful film, so well made, and a great horror experience. But not for everyone. I can't recommend it, but I'm glad I watched it.
4/5
- Brutally unrelenting.