Friday, December 9, 2022, FACETS and Groovy Doom round up some of the most deranged killer Santas with Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984) at 7pm and Dial Code Santa Claus (1989) at 9pm to spatter the halls this holiday season, with giveaways and pre-shows celebrating Christmas horror, plus a Terror Vision pop-up shop in the Lobby.

Horror cinema’s first homicidal Santa appeared in beloved Amicus anthology Tales from the Crypt (1972). In 1980, the white-bearded killer returned in two films, simple slasher To All a Goodnight and exquisite psychological thriller Christmas Evil, ushering the festive fiend into a new decade.

Silent Night, Deadly Night saw the public take notice of this sinister trend. Parents and film critics were outraged when the film’s TV ads brought yuletide terror into family rooms across the nation. This condemnation solidified the film’s success and led to four increasingly bizarre sequels, plus a remake starring Malcolm McDowell. The first installment cuts deepest as a wholesome teen, conditioned by past holiday traumas and a warped religious upbringing, succumbs to an impulse to punish the naughty.

Home Alone precursor Dial Code Santa Claus is another deep dive into childhood trauma, but this time the kid is a full-blooded hero who battles a vengeful lunatic dressed as Père Nöel.

Kris Kringle’s naughty counterpart continues to terrorize abroad and at home. In Finland, Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale (2010) is a mind-blowing remix of Christmas folklore; in the Netherlands, Sint (2010) is a wild spectacle with a Sinterklaas zombie who rides a spectral mare across the rooftops of Amsterdam; and, in TV series American Horror Story/Stories, Ian McShane and Danny Trejo play Saint Nick slashers. The notorious list-maker and trespasser is an inspired addition to moralist and home invasion horror.

IN PARTNERSHIP

This event is presented in partnership with Bill Van Ryn, creator of Groovy Doom and fanzine Drive-In Asylum, who explores classic eras of horror, sci-fi, cult, and exploitation films through vintage newspaper ads. This double feature of Silent Night, Deadly Night and Dial Code Santa Claus includes brand new animated ad galleries created by Bill to celebrate subversive holiday cinema.

TRIVIA & SPECIAL PRIZES

Be the first to answer our trivia questions during the introductions to these screenings and win an issue of Drive-In Asylum, courtesy of Bill; a Blu-ray of John Russo’s Santa Claws (1996), courtesy of Terror Vision; a special satanic selection on Blu-ray, courtesy of the American Genre Film Archive; or a copy of Silent Night, Deadly Night: The Game, courtesy of Stop the Killer, the creatives behind My Bloody Valentine: The Game and forthcoming Halloween II: The Game!