Silent Night, Deadly Night review by Bobby Blakey
In 1984 the cult classic Silent Night, Deadly Night slashed its way onto the screen and launched an all-new franchise that included 4 sequels and a 2012 remake. Now Wrong Turn (2021) and V/H/S/85 director Mike P. Nelson has remade the original film once again this time starring Rohan Campbell, Rudy Modine, Mark Acheson, David Lawrence and David Tomlinson. Could this latest entry into the long running cult series bring the bloody good cheer fans love or should it be on the naughty list?
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Silent Night, Deadly Night follows a child who witnesses his parents' murder by a man in a Santa suit. Years later, as an adult, he dons a Santa costume himself and embarks on a violent quest for retribution against those responsible for the traumatic event from his childhood.
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This latest entry into the franchise is more of a reimagining than a remake with it keeping the back story of Billy mostly intact and plenty of homage moments to the original but does go in a new direction to the killing that I enjoyed. The idea gave it a fresh twist while still allowing it to be familiar to what fans love from the original series and is closer to that story than the 2012 version that is still great in its own right.
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The film brings a great retro tone to it that isn’t so much a period piece but just slaps you in the face with its tone complete with title cards that slam onto the screen when he sets his sights on a kill. It is more violent than the original film with a lot more graphic blood letting that will no doubt keep the gorehounds happy. There is one specific scene that isn’t all that gory, but a blast to watch featuring Santas and nazis that makes the movie.
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There is a specific story direction that they go with that might lose some, but it brings in a explanation to the reasoning of why Billy does what he does that is clear right out the gate. I loved this element as it amps things up in a fully realized new idea that is nothing we have seen in this franchise before. There is no big explanation for why or how it came to this and it’s not needed. It works with the explanation they have and even helps to set things up for future entries should they get the chance to.
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I had a great time with this flick and glad that it snuck in under the radar. It feels nostalgic and new all at once in the best way possible. It’s not a big budget affair nor should it be. This is a franchise that works perfectly just like this, and I will be right back in the theater should be get the chance to celebrate Christmas with the axe in the future.
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Decide for yourself and check out Silent Night, Deadly Night in theaters now from Cineverse.