Arriving just in time for Christmas, Silent Night seeks to put an alternate spin on everyone’s favorite fat man in a red suit, following a small town police force as they attempt to track down a murderous Santa Claus in this loose remake of controversial 1984 slasher flick Silent Night, Deadly Night. Trust us when we tell you that you definitely don’t want to end up on this Santa’s “naughty” list.
Crafting his film as a throwback to the silly, over-the-top slasher flicks that filled the shelves at video stores some two decades ago, director Steven C. Miller expertly captures the atmosphere of the horror classics that influenced this endeavor. Expect plenty of one-liners, ridiculous amounts of gore, and more laughs than scares. This works well for audiences that might feel nostalgic for an era that has long since passed, but anyone looking for a horror experience with a little more depth would be advised to look elsewhere.
Shortcomings aside, there’s no denying that Silent Night looks great. Despite being shot on a low budget, the video is crisp and clear, with vibrant colors that stand out against the impressive black levels without bleeding over. Anchor Bay has done a marvelous job with the Blu-Ray transfer, but it’s a shame that the same level of attention hasn’t been applied to the supplements, as there’s nothing side from a few deleted scenes and a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it featurette on the making of the film.
Silent Night is a decent, if forgettable, little horror film with plenty of the schlock that turned so many 80’s slashers into cult classics. If you’re feeling wistful for the good ol’ days of Freddy, Jason, and Chucky, give it a shot – if nothing else, you should have some fun.