Watch BuzzFeed Unsolved: The Legend of Krampus

BuzzFeed Unsolved: The Legend of Krampus is a 2017 horror documentary film that revolves around two hosts, Ryan Bergara and Shane Madej, who dive deep into the dark and sinister world of the Krampus legend. Krampus is an Austrian folklore character who is said to punish misbehaving children during Christmas, the holiday season of love, and festivities. The film begins with an introduction to Krampus's legend, through various staged scenes and interviews with locals from Austria who have a deep-rooted belief in Krampus.

Ryan and Shane take on the gloomy streets of Austria to get to the roots of the Krampus legend. They interview people about their experiences with Krampus and try to find out why the Krampus character is so deeply ingrained in the Austrian culture. The hosts' humorous approach to the topic provides lightness to a subject matter that can be quite scary.

The film gives a glimpse into the various traditions followed by the locals of Austria during Krampusnacht, a night dedicated to the Krampus celebration. The hosts participate in the festivities, adding zeal and enthusiasm to the film.

Throughout the documentary, Ryan and Shane investigate different aspects of Krampus's legend, such as who created Krampus, why Krampus has goat-like horns, and what motivates him to punish children. Along with this, they explore different versions of Krampus's legend across the world, such as the Netherland's Zwarte Piet and America's Krampusnacht festivals.

Apart from the folklore element, the movie also explores the horror element of the legend, with Ryan and Shane experiencing a haunted house that is said to be infested with Krampus. The horror elements of the film are scarce but are enough to provide a sense of unease to the viewers.

The documentary provides glimpses of Krampus in different mediums of art, such as paintings, sculptures, and costumes. The film goes on to explore the commercial viability of Krampus themed products around the world, such as Krampus ornaments, books, and merchandise.

The hosts end their journey by trying to present their findings and opinions about the Krampus legend. While one host views Krampus as a protective figure who scares children into behaving well during Christmas, the other sees it as a mechanism to control rebellious and individualistic behavior in society.

In conclusion, BuzzFeed Unsolved: The Legend of Krampus is an informative, humorous, and spooky take on the Krampus legend. The hosts' humorous attitude towards the subject matter balances out the horror element of the documentary, making it an engaging watch for people of all ages. The film is not a jump-scare horror film and can be viewed by people not usually interested in the horror genre. Anyone interested in the Krampus legend or in discovering new folklore will find this film interesting and insightful.