Trailer Trashin’: Christmas Gets Horrific in the Krampus Official Trailer

Sorry that it’s been a while, dear readers. A combination of computer trouble and being busy with other things has kept me away for the last couple weeks. But the column is finally back, and this week’s Trailer Trashin’ takes a look at the upcoming horror-comedy Krampus.

Premise: When his dysfunctional family clashes over the holidays, young Max (Emjay Anthony) is disillusioned and turns his back on Christmas. Little does he know that this lack of festive spirit has unleashed the wrath of Krampus, a demonic force of ancient evil intent on punishing non-believers. All hell breaks loose as beloved holiday icons take on a monstrous life of their own, laying siege to the fractured family’s home and forcing them to fight for each other if they hope to survive.

My take: Krampus is a horned, humanoid creature from German-speaking Alpine folklore that punishes naughty children during the Christmas season, in contrast with Saint Nicholas, who rewards well-behaved children with gifts. Over the past decade or so, Krampus has been making appearances in American pop culture, from video games to television to cartoons. Now, the horned guy is making his Hollywood debut with Krampus, an upcoming horror-dark comedy from filmmaker Michael Dougherty, who previously brought us the cult horror film Trick ’r Treat (2007).

0:09-0:10: We get to the film’s dark sense of humor very quickly, as what looks like a standard Christmastime montage set to Andy Williams’ “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” also includes a credit card being swiped, cash changing hands, and a retail worker being knocked down by stampeding shoppers.

0:24-0:28: Funny moment with Adam Scott, who plays the father of Emjay Anthony’s Max, and David Koechner, whose character Howard seems to be Max’s uncle.

1:06-1:08: A collection of wrapped presents are shaking back and forth and emitting small noises, like something inside is trying to get out.

1:22-1:24: Nice creepy image of a hook on a chain coming down the chimney.

1:35-1:37: Our first look at Krampus himself, as Stefania Owen, who plays Max’s sister, spots a huge horned figure up on the roof of the house and screams.

1:40-1:42: A brief tease of Krampus’s “helpers,” as we see some tiny figures hiding behind a pack of crude snowmen in front of the house.

1:58-2:00: More quick glimpses of some of the “helpers,” a creepy clown with a mask-like face and a fanged teddy bear.

2:02-2:20: As Stefania Owen’s character hides under a car, we get another tease of Krampus himself, as something huge and hairy with cloven hooves lands next to the car and then walks off, dragging chains behind it. But Krampus leaves behind a beat-up looking Jack-in-the-box, whose crank is turning on its own. The top of the box does open, but we don’t see what’s inside it.

2:22-2:23: Max is outside in the snow, face-to-face with Krampus himself, whose face we still do not see. It doesn’t look good for our young hero.

2:29-2:30: One more look at the creepy clown from earlier, and we see that it has toothy jaws that open in three parts, rather like the Reapers from Blade II (2002).

I’m always down for a good horror movie, and this looks like it could be a lot of fun. This trailer does a good job of selling the film, but still leaves plenty to the imagination. When the beginning of December rolls around, I’ll definitely be checking out Krampus at my local theater.

ANTICIPATION: Scary Christmas, everyone!