Silent Night, Deadly Night review: Fiendish festive remake done right

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Silent Night, Deadly Night revitalizes the popular holiday horror series with a smart and contemporary update, cleverly surprising viewers and challenging typical genre conventions.

The original *Silent Night, Deadly Night* premiered in 1984 and quickly became a popular Christmas-themed horror film, kicking off a franchise that horror fans still enjoy today.

The story begins with a disturbing scene, then centers on Billy Chapman, a deeply traumatized man who copes by dressing as Santa Claus and using an axe to harm people he dislikes.

The original film launched four sequels and inspired one reimagining in 2012. This new remake is just as good, cleverly surprising viewers and building upon the strengths of the first movie.

What is Silent Night, Deadly Night about?

The movie *Silent Night, Deadly Night* begins similarly to the classic Christmas story, with young Billy visiting his grandfather in a nursing home. The grandfather ominously warns Billy that bad behavior will be punished and that Santa Claus is always observing him.

On the drive home, his family is ambushed at a traffic light. While the details are somewhat toned down, his mother is thankfully not sexually assaulted. However, both of his parents are tragically shot and killed right before his eyes.

The movie jumps to the present, revealing that adult Billy is still haunted by nightmares from that night. He’s now a murderer himself, moving between towns each December and marking his victims with a gruesome calendar, counting down to Christmas with each kill.

Billy stops in the town of Hackett, hoping to stay for a few days and maybe get to know a woman he likes who works at a local gift shop called ‘Ida’s Trinket Tree.’ He gets a job there, but his plans are complicated – not only by his growing feelings, but also by the fact that children are disappearing in the area…

Remake with a twist

Billy was clearly struggling with trauma, likely caused by both the difficult things he saw as a child and the harsh, abusive environment he grew up in at the orphanage.

This new version of Billy also appears motivated by the anger from his parents’ deaths, but sometimes it seems like envy is causing his mental breakdowns, or perhaps something even stranger is at play.

The biggest new development is that Billy now hears a voice inside his head. This voice cheers him on, tries to control him, gives him guidance, and even makes fun of him when he messes up.

The film’s dark humor sometimes feels similar to the over-the-top style of ‘Venom,’ but it also hints that Billy may have a mental health condition involving multiple personalities. This idea becomes even more complex when the girl he likes reveals she has a very volatile temper.

Santa v Santas

Okay, so the movie has some interesting stuff going on with the characters’ heads, but let’s be real – I was there for the kills, and this new one totally delivers! If you’re hoping for some festive, over-the-top action, you’re in for a treat.

The film features graphic head wounds, as expected, and includes a series of violent scenes showing Billy committing his first murders.

However, the most impressive elimination – and the movie’s best moment – happens at a Christmas party, which we won’t describe in detail to avoid spoilers.

However, this transformation quickly establishes the character as a true hero, and watching our Santa defeat numerous other Santas is surprisingly entertaining and visually exciting.

Is Silent Night, Deadly Night good?

Silent Night, Deadly Night successfully blends nostalgia with originality. It includes fun references to earlier films, like the famous ‘garbage day’ scene, while still feeling new and inventive.

It’s hard to explain all the details, but writer-director Mike P. Nelson handles the film with a playful, ironic tone. He’s also done a fantastic job of refreshing the series and giving the character Billy a new spin.

Rohan Campbell again delivers a surprisingly sympathetic performance, much like his portrayal of Corey Cunningham in Halloween Ends. He makes even a serial killer feel relatable.

The movie finishes with a clever twist that leaves the door open for a sequel, and I’m really hoping one is made quickly.

Silent Night, Deadly Night score: 3/5

This remake is a clever and enjoyable update that improves upon the original by keeping what worked and discarding what didn’t. It also boldly takes the story in a fresh, imaginative direction.

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2025-09-25 18:49