Violent Night (2022) | Film Review

For decades now, our world has fought and clawed at each other over one singularly divisive issue: is Die Hard a Christmas movie? The answer to that is simple, of course it is! As we all know, it’s factually accurate to say John McClane saves Christmas in a jolly romp stacked with varying terrorist archetypes, explosions, a devoted helper with an open heart talking him through it on a mic standing next to an asshole ready to ruin the holidays for everyone trapped inside, carols, and an almost romantic family dynamic lying at the center of it all. That’s just science. While that definitely describes one of the greatest Christmas movies of all-time, which no rational person denies, it also happens to essentially be the plot of Violent Night.

David Harbour packs up his winsome Stranger Things curmudgeon Jim Hopper, tosses in a little yuletide emotion, and wraps it all up with wanton alcoholism and sadistic violence to drive this sleigh as Santa Claus himself. This Santa is about done with children today, their excessive greed and selfishness has led him to deliberate on every parent’s annual dilemma: why am I putting myself through all of this hell for these little a-holes?

The answer comes in the form of the adorably charming Trudy Lightstone (Leah Brady, perfectly cast), a delightfully mischievous kid who places fairly effortlessly on the “Nice” list. She also happens to be the granddaughter of one of the most powerful women in the world, whose family Christmas party is now under siege from a group of terrorists – led by John Leguizamo’s Scrooge – who will kill everyone in the Lightstone family unless Grannie Gertrude (Beverly D’Angelo, chewing scenery up and spitting it out like day-old pumpkin pie) gives up the presents that await in her super secure vault, which coincidently appears to have been plucked directly from Nakatomi Tower.

Trudy’s mom and dad, Jason and Linda (Alex Hassell and Alexis Louder), are estranged but obviously still carrying a torch. Along for the ride are Jason’s self-obsessed sister, Alva (Edi Patterson), her influencer son, Bert (Alexander Elliot), and her pretentious boyfriend-slash-wannabe-action-star Morgan Steel (Cam Gigandet). Everyone is destined for an early grave if it wasn’t for Jolly Old St. Nick paying this very house a visit and feeling very protective of the nicest girl on his list, Trudy.

What follows is a visceral slugfest as director Tommy Wirkola and star David Harbour walk away from feel-good Christmas lessons of learning to right our wrongs or forgiveness and instead allows Santa to jingle the balls of every relentless bandit who dares cross St. Dick’s path. Violent Night turns into an onslaught of cleverly designed kills, sheer bloody masochism, and more holiday quips than you can shake a candy cane at.

Apart from a bit too much focus on Christmas puns, writers Pat Casey and Josh Miller have no qualms about announcing their inspirations directly. There are not only nods but direct “homages” to plot points pulled from Die Hard 1 & 2, plus a healthy dose of Home Alone. It is almost as if Casey and Miller were so disgusted by those who refuse to appreciate the greatness that is Die Hard as the Christmas classic it so very much is, that they decided to go out and remake it with John McClane as freaking Santa Claus. And God bless them for it.

Though the assortment of henchman ranges from diabolical to generic to moronic, you cannot have a good Die Hard story without Hans Gruber. Well, you have to try at least. Obviously, no one can approach the magic that is The Grube, but John Leguizamo – an actor known far more for fits of hilarity than homicidal rage – positions himself nicely as Santa’s formidable foe, even garnering a chance to showcase his own machismo as the final act comes to its conclusion. Personally, it was a joy to watch Leguizamo dance against type and embrace the insanity.

None of this works without David Harbour’s power of selling us all on this ridiculous concept (it is ludicrous in every sense), and the actor goes full tilt. Harbour’s ability to mesh cantankerous with mesmerizing and sprinkle a hefty dose of heart has become his own finely honed skill, and this is a role that matches these elements nicely. Santa is exhausted from a life of serving spoiled brats, yet he still clings to a semblance of hope for the human race. When he finds that shining light in Trudy, he will do anything possible to protect it. Including murdering more than a few dozen mercenaries who are obviously a bit too prevalent on the “Naughty” list. As Santa takes his licks and throws his shots, Harbour fearlessly wears every facet of his character and this scenario as proudly as Denzel on an Oscar run.

Violent Night is a film meant for those of us who know Die Hard is a damn Christmas movie, as well as for those who blindly say it’s not. It’s a kick-to-the-face holiday classic in the making, and the world needs to remind snobby kids that Santa Claus is out there, waiting, and they do not want to see David Harbour pissing off their rooftop.

John McClane can rest easy for Christmas this year, because one badass Santa is coming to town.

Violent Night releases in theaters December 2, 2022
Starring David Harbour, John Leguizamo, Leah Brady, Beverly D’Angelo, Alex Hassell, Alexis Louder
Screenplay by Pat Casey and Josh Miller
Directed by Tommy Wirkola

Listen to our full spoiler-free review of Violent Night on this episode of The Hollywood Outsider podcast: