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Christmas Evil

Original title: You Better Watch Out
  • 1980
  • R
  • 1h 40m
IMDb RATING
5.6/10
9.3K
YOUR RATING
Christmas Evil (1980)
B-HorrorSlasher HorrorHolidayHorrorThriller

A toy factory worker, mentally scarred as a child upon learning Santa Claus is not real, suffers a nervous breakdown after being belittled at work, and embarks on a Yuletide killing spree.A toy factory worker, mentally scarred as a child upon learning Santa Claus is not real, suffers a nervous breakdown after being belittled at work, and embarks on a Yuletide killing spree.A toy factory worker, mentally scarred as a child upon learning Santa Claus is not real, suffers a nervous breakdown after being belittled at work, and embarks on a Yuletide killing spree.

  • Director
    • Lewis Jackson
  • Writer
    • Lewis Jackson
  • Stars
    • Brandon Maggart
    • Jeffrey DeMunn
    • Dianne Hull
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.6/10
    9.3K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Lewis Jackson
    • Writer
      • Lewis Jackson
    • Stars
      • Brandon Maggart
      • Jeffrey DeMunn
      • Dianne Hull
    • 136User reviews
    • 214Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Reissue Trailer
    Trailer 1:21
    Reissue Trailer

    Photos84

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    Top cast67

    Edit
    Brandon Maggart
    Brandon Maggart
    • Harry Stadling
    Jeffrey DeMunn
    Jeffrey DeMunn
    • Philip Stadling
    Dianne Hull
    Dianne Hull
    • Jackie Stadling
    Andy Fenwick
    Andy Fenwick
    • Dennis Stadling
    Brian Neville
    • Marc Stadling
    Joe Jamrog
    • Frank Stoller
    Wally Moran
    • Philip Stadling Jr.
    Gus Kangas
    Gus Kangas
    • Harry Stadling Jr.
    • (as Gus Salud)
    Ellen McElduff
    Ellen McElduff
    • Harry's Mother
    Brian Hartigan
    Brian Hartigan
    • Harry's Father
    Peter Neuman
    • Moss Garcia
    Lance Holcomb
    Lance Holcomb
    • Scotty Goodrich
    Elizabeth Ridge
    • Susie Lovett
    Chris Browning
    • Richie Sharp
    Tyrone Holmes
    • Frankie
    Patricia Richardson
    Patricia Richardson
    • Moss' Mother
    Scott McKay
    Scott McKay
    • Mr. Fletcher
    Peter Friedman
    Peter Friedman
    • Mr. Grosch
    • Director
      • Lewis Jackson
    • Writer
      • Lewis Jackson
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews136

    5.69.2K
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    Featured reviews

    ranger-35

    The greatest killer santa claus movie of all time!!!!

    This is the greatest killer santa claus movie of all time!!!! A killer disguised as santa claus is haunted by A 1947 christmas after seeing his mom being fondled by his father(who by the way is dressed in A santa claus suit)and finding out there is no santa claus.Now as an adult,he keeps records of boys and girls who are good and bad and kills the people who are mean to him and those who uses christmas as profit making.Although this movie is low budget,it still has great acting and A surprising (and funny)ending.It's A must for horror buffs.
    4Platypuschow

    You Better Watch Out: Meh!

    You Better Watch Out otherwise known as Christmas Evil is essentially a Christmas version of Falling Down (1993) just not as clever, interesting, thought provoking or even remotely good.

    It tells the story of a man tormented by the memory of discovering that Santa Claus isn't real. Overworked and underappreciated, taken advantage by work colleagues and witnessing the selfishness of his company he finally snaps and goes on a killing spree dressed as santa (As you do).

    It's one of those films where though you can't fully empathise with the antagonist you can understand his plight to an extent and even feel a little bit sorry for him. Arguably a tale of mental illness it certainly has a passable premise but the execution is more than a little shoddy.

    If you take it for what it is you may find a level of enjoyment, but nothing is likely to prepare you for the more than a little odd finale.

    The Good:

    I get what they were trying to do

    The Bad:

    Delivery is lacking

    Things I Learnt From This Movie:

    I'm unsure whether that ending constitutes as good or bad
    ShiZ

    This cult classic is a film worth seeing.

    This movie is a very well thought out piece of low budget horror. Unlike the cheezy imitations such as "Silent Night, Deadly Night" this movie has a well thought out storyline with a central character you can understand and feel sympathy for. This movie is more than just another generic slasher flick. It has an interesting story and main character. The film may move a little slow at the beginning for people with short attention spans and no intelligence, but just about everyone else should be able to appreciate this low budget wonder. Just remember, this is not supposed to be another Friday the 13th.
    8samax_89

    Non dumb slasher alert

    oddball seasonal slasher that has more characterisation and less gore than many of its contemparies.After witnessing his mother getting it on with his father in a santa suit as a boy,a now deeply disturbed and grown up harry standling (Brandon Maggart) decides to celebrate Christmas his own way by metering out punishment to those who have besmirched the season of good will.

    'Christmas evil' succeeds due to the film's emphasis on showing harry as a three dimensional character and for conjuring up a generally oppressive and Eerie atmosphere throughout,the fact that the death scence's are sporadic and often off kilter add too this 1980 slasher's unsettling nature.

    'Christmas evil' will be far too off-beat for your average stalk and slash fan,but for those open minded and adventurous enough,'Christmas evil'is a one of a kind,genuinely original treat.
    5HorrorFan1984

    Christmas Evil

    One Christmas Eve 1947, two parents decide to surprise their kids (Harry and Phil) by having the father dress as Santa Claus and come down the chimney. All goes well, until later that evening when Harry sees them making love. Seeing that apparently traumatizes Harry as a child which leads into his adult life. Fast forward to present day 1980 where we meet an adult Harry who is clearly unhinged, all stemming from that night as a young boy. Harry has a job at a toy factory and spies on the children in the neighbouring apartment complex, keeping a naughty and nice list on all of them. We see that Harry isn't respected at all at work, with his coworkers constantly poking fun at him either to his face or behind his back. His own brother Phil even thinks he's a loser.

    Harry handles all of his stresses and traumas the same way - bottling them up in public and then blowing up at home. After we see Harry dive deeper and deeper into a psychotic state, Christmas Eve arrives and he starts to believe that he is Santa Claus. Harry fills up a sack with toys he stole from his workplace and starts wandering the streets of New York looking to leave presents to only the good and deserving children. On the way, he decides it's time to kill anyone who is on the naughty list...

    I was not a huge fan of this one, which surprised me. I love holiday horror and 80's slashers, so this should have been right up my alley. But I just found it to drag on and on to the point where I lost interest in a lot of the middle frame. A few things save it from being a flop. The acting by Brandon Maggart, the gore, and the last 20-30 minutes or so when Harry starts killing.

    Overall, a very average holiday horror movie that is loved by many. I just wasn't a fan for some reason. I'd recommend giving it a watch and see what you think

    5/10

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    Related interests

    Bridget Hoffman in The Evil Dead (1981)
    B-Horror
    Roger Jackson in Scream (1996)
    Slasher Horror
    James Stewart, Donna Reed, Beulah Bondi, Carol Coombs, Karolyn Grimes, and Thomas Mitchell in It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
    Holiday
    Mia Farrow in Rosemary's Baby (1968)
    Horror
    Cho Yeo-jeong in Parasite (2019)
    Thriller

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      John Waters recommends this as his favorite Thanksgiving/Christmas themed film.
    • Goofs
      When Harry's brother falls down the hill, it's obviously a fake sheet of snow as it all lifts off the ground.
    • Quotes

      Harry "Santa": But now I want you to remember to stay good boys & girls. Respect your mothers & fathers and do what they tell you. Obey your teachers and learn a whooooole lot! Now *if you do this*, I'll make sure you get good presents from me eeeevery year. Ha ha ha... but if you're bad boys & girls, your name goes in the 'Bad Boys & Girls' book, and I'll bring you something... horrible.

    • Crazy credits
      While it is understandable that viewers might identify the rousing "Merry Christmas everybody!" at the end of the credits as the crew adding a personalized touch to the final moments of the film, it is in fact the greeting that ends the Jackson Trio's "Jingle Bell Hop" that is used during the end credits.
    • Alternate versions
      A deleted scene toward the film's beginning showed Harry being promoted in his job. Brandon Maggart had a hangover from the day before while shooting the dancing scene, and can be seen becoming dizzy and nauseous at the end of the scene.
    • Connections
      Featured in The Cinema Snob: Silent Night, Deadly Night: Part 2 (2010)
    • Soundtracks
      Daddy's Drinking Up Our Christmas
      Performed by Commander Cody

      Copyright 1973 Dot Records

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    FAQ16

    • How long is Christmas Evil?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 1980 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • El demonio de la navidad
    • Filming locations
      • Glen Ridge, New Jersey, USA
    • Production company
      • Edward R. Pressman Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $850,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 40m(100 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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