Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘A Christmas Horror Story’

Written by Scott Edwards

Okay, I know that it is after Christmas, but I could not help myself when it comes to this movie. Because this one is just a true gift and we need to talk about what makes it so great, right now. Now with movies that have stories being compiled into one storyline, it is sometimes difficult to see it come together, but I think that this one did just that without missing a beat. You don’t have to be in a holly jolly mood to fire this one up in your DVD or Blu Ray player, it is year round magical.

Molly and her friends Ben and Dylan are trying to get credit for their investigations around the hallways of the school, but Molly has found something much more sinister that she knows will sky rocket her grades. Finding video of a double homicide in the basement of the school, the group head downstairs and could care less about the consequences. Getting into the room where the bodies were found is not a problem, but when they try to escape the confines of the now basement, they find that they are trapped and none of their keys will work to release them to freedom. As the night grows deeper and darker, they find out that they are not alone in the basement and that there is someone or something along side of them that is looking for something more than a little Christmas cheer.

Scott has been on leave ever since he started to investigate the murders that happened at the school a year ago. Knowing that his life is not going to be the same, he is trying to make the best of his time with his wife Kim and son Will. Taking them out on an old-fashioned tree hunt, Scott knows where to find the tree that they need, but it is behind the fence of a no trespassing sign. Thinking little of the warning, the three jump the fence and get the tree of their dreams, but Will goes missing for a short while on their return to the car. Finding their son and seeing that he is all right, the family heads home, but there is something strange happening with Will as he has not said a word since returning home. Kim knows that there is something wrong with her boy and will not allow Scott to discipline him for any of his actions. When a phone call comes across the lines, Kim finds out that there is more wrong than she could imagine, as her son may not be her son at all.

Caprice is upset about being on the road with her family since she could have been hanging with her friends at the school as they investigate the year old murder scene, but it was not her choice. Her father Taylor is on a mission to talk to his aunt Edda who may be able to help the family. Caprice’s mother Diane is not too happy about the trip as well, but she knows what her husband is trying to do. When arriving at the lavish estate, Aunt Edda throws out the family within five minutes of arriving. Duncan, Caprice’s little brother who is just looking to make a stir, breaks Edda’s Krampus figurine and thinks little of his mistake since Krampus is just a made-up story, or so he thinks. Getting into a wreck on the drive home, the family is forced to move on foot, but there is something hunting them in the woods, and it does not care how naughty they were. With a target on their backs, they need to get back to Edda’s to find a way to stop the beast, but what they find will change their outlook on Christmas for the rest of their days.

Holding down the fort, Dangerous Dan is broadcasting live on Christmas Eve, filling the airwaves with joy even though there is a situation overtaking the local mall.  And no Christmas movie would be complete without Santa taking care of his business, even if it involves handling an outbreak that the North Pole has never seen before. This is just a delightful Christmas horror movie that touches on just a few of the stories that we loved as kids, along with some that were meant to scare us into be nice. If I had to choose my favorite character of this movie, I would have to say that it is Shinny, an elf in Santa’s workshop that seems to be on his last leg. Trust me, his role is epic! We might be rolling into a new genre of horror movies these days and I would be happy to see more come out like this, especially around Christmas time as the horror movies are starting get more of a following once again. This is really starting to get me giddy since all I have had before are horror movies set in the snow. Stay Scared!

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