Watch Night of the Krampus

Night of the Krampus is a 2013 horror-comedy directed by Thomas Smith and starring Khristian Fulmer, Erin Lilley, and Soren Odom. The movie follows a group of college students who attend a Christmas party in a secluded cabin in the woods. However, things take a dark turn when they accidentally summon the Krampus, a demonic figure from Germanic folklore who punishes naughty children.

The movie begins with a group of college students, including the protagonist Ben (Fulmer) and his girlfriend Ashley (Lilley), driving to a cabin in the woods for a Christmas party. They are joined by their friends Sarah (Odom), Jake (Trey Harrison), and Jenny (Jordan Farris). Once they arrive, they begin drinking and having fun, but the mood is quickly dampened by the discovery of a creepy book about Krampus in the cabin. Despite Sarah's warnings, the group decides to experiment with a ritual from the book, hoping to summon the Krampus for fun. However, their foolishness soon becomes deadly when the Krampus actually appears and begins to wreak havoc on the cabin and its occupants.

Night of the Krampus is a low-budget indie movie, but it makes the most of its resources with creative practical effects, effective lighting, and creepy sound design. The Krampus itself is a suitably terrifying creation, with elongated horns, glowing eyes, and a whip that can tear people apart. The movie also uses some clever camera tricks to suggest the Krampus' presence without fully showing it, building tension and anticipation.

The cast of Night of the Krampus is also surprisingly strong, with convincing performances from both the leads and the supporting players. Fulmer is particularly effective as Ben, a likable but flawed protagonist whose choices have unintended consequences. Lilley and Odom also stand out as the film's two female leads, playing characters who are smart and resourceful despite their initial skepticism of the supernatural.

One of the movie's strengths is its balance of horror and comedy. While the Krampus is undeniably terrifying, there are also plenty of moments of humor and levity throughout the film, mostly stemming from the characters' reactions to the surreal situation they find themselves in. The dialogue is sharp and witty, and the movie successfully walks the fine line between being too funny or too scary.

However, Night of the Krampus is not without its flaws. The pacing is occasionally sluggish, with some scenes feeling repetitive or unnecessary. While most of the characters are well-developed, some are given shorter shrift, and there are a few missed opportunities for more exploration of relationships and backstories.

Overall, Night of the Krampus is a fun and entertaining holiday horror flick. While it may not be groundbreaking or perfect, it's clear that the filmmakers had a good time making it, and it shows in the final product. Fans of Krampus mythology and horror-comedy should definitely give it a watch.