Violent Night movie review: David Harbour sleighs the day

Nothing says Christmas spirit than getting a brand new movie with Santa Claus saving the day by kicking ass and taking names! And that’s exactly what we get in the new movie Violent Night. We caught an early screening of the film to share our thoughts on whether Violent Night s worth checking out or not this weekend.

Violent Night follows the story of Santa Claus, who, on Christmas Eve, brings presents to all the children on the nice list. However, at one of his stops, a family is being held hostage, and now Santa must save the day. The movie was directed by Tommy Wirkola and stars David Harbour, John Leguizamo, and Leah Brady.

What is the movie Violent Night about?

The movie begins by setting the stage. First, Santa Claus (David Harbour) is sitting at the bar getting drunk, and when it’s time for him to head out, he shocks everyone when he heads to the roof and is off on his reindeer to deliver the Christmas presents. Next, we meet the Lightstone family, a wealthy family that Gertrude, the mother, leads.

Throughout our time early on with the family, we learn that Jason and Alva have been doing whatever it takes to impress their mother so they can one day take over the company. As the internal battle ensues, we meet Linda and Trudy, Jason’s wife and daughter. We quickly discover the two are not together because he wants to impress his mom. However, she is there to support him and be there for their daughter. Shortly after the gathering begins, a team of people comes in to hold the entire family hostage. The crew is led by Scrooge (Leguizamo), who wants the 300 million dollars Gertrude has on the estate.

Of course, Santa Claus drops down in the Lightstone house to deliver presents to Trudy. While he relaxes in a massage chair and eats the homemade cookies, Santa hears gunshots and loud bangs. While his first reaction is to bail, he sees Trudy and can’t help but attempt to become the Christmas savior.

David Harbour was meant to play Santa Claus in Violent Night

So, let’s start with the obvious, which is David Harbour. You got this vibe from the trailer that he looked like he had fun, and when you watch the movie, it only enhances that. I hope we get some sort of behind-the-scenes look at the film because there have got to be some fun bloopers. More on Harbour, he was not only meant to play Santa Claus, but made to play a kick-ass superhero. Yes, let me be first to say that this is, Violent Night is, in fact, a SUPERHERO movie. You don’t get a blend of Harbour swinging a sledgehammer around like he is HHH or Thor in a Santa Claus costume without it being a superhero movie. Harbour is brilliant in this.

In these types of films, you run the risk of bad action sequences that ruin the whole movie, but the entire team deserves a round of applause for their work on Violent Night. The action sequences are badass and some of the more creative kills I have seen in a movie in quite some time. There is also a massive callback to one of our favorite Christmas movies that Trudy has a hand in, which is spectacular. (side note: Leah Brady is a little star in this)

My only bone to pick with the movie is that it is a hair too long. In the middle of the second act, a few scenes felt like they could’ve cut and made the film closer to an hour and thirty-five minutes, and it would’ve been tighter. Otherwise, it’s a perfect little action movie.

Overall, PLEASE go see Violent Night in theaters. The movie blends John Wick and Nobody with a man dressed as Santa Claus. I want about ten more of these movies and maybe even a Mrs. Claus movie. Violent Night is a no-nonsense fun that is much needed this time of year. I promise it’ll be a new addition to your yearly Christmas movie watchlist.

Violent Night hits theaters on Dec. 2, 2022.