When it comes to Christmas-themed horror, one must always consider the killer Santa film. Christmas Evil is perhaps the quintessential (and probably the best) out of this curious sub-genre sub-genre, as it actually has an engaging plot and characters, as well as its own unique aesthetic. Christmas Evil is the story of Harry, a boy who loves Christmas and Santa, only to discover that Santa does not exist in the most awkward way possible. This experience permanently scars Harry, and he grows up into a troubled middle-aged man, perpetually single, working as an "elf" at a toy factory. But Harry's world begins to unravel around him as he finds himself "promoted" to a desk job, and he becomes aware of his increasing isolation; one could even call this a Yuletide version of Taxi Driver, with much of the film focusing on Harry's deteriorating psychological state, building up to his unavoidable murderous rage. Christmas Evil subverts the languid and dreamy aesthetics found in such films as A Christmas Story, and adds an underlying layer of menace. It can be read as a commentary on psychological isolation in an advanced capitalist society, or just as an entertaining slasher.
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