Violent Night
2022
***
Director: Tommy Wirkola
Cast: David Harbour, John Leguizamo, Alex Hassell, Alexis Louder, Edi Patterson, Cam Gigandet, Leah Brady, Beverly D'Angelo
While three generations of the wealthy Lighthouse family gather for Christmas, a gang of criminals take them hostage in order to break into the mansion's vault. The only person who can save the family is the drunken and disillusioned Santa Clause. This seasonal action comedy throws together a clever and extremely violent mix of Die Hard, Home Alone, and Bad Santa, and it delivers decent entertainment, but the script is crying out for some snappy one-liners and a more memorable villain. The movie aspires to be subversive, but the ultimate message is that we should all believe in the spirit of Christmas.
