Krampus

Krampus (2015)

Timing: 1:38 (98 min)

6.186/10
2090

5.833/10
47626

6.2/10
94000

All about film

Video 6

Photo 31

Actors and characters

Release date

2015-11-26

Country

Canada, Japan, New Zealand, United States

Production

Universal Pictures, Fuji Television Network, Legendary Pictures, dentsu, Syon Media, Zam Pictures

Genre

Horror, Comedy, Fantasy

Budget

$15 000 000

Revenue

$61 548 707

Website

http://www.krampusthefilm.com/

Director

Michael Dougherty

Actors

Emjay Anthony, Adam Scott, Toni Collette, Allison Tolman, David Koechner, Stefania LaVie Owen, Conchata Ferrell, Luke Hawker, Gideon Emery, Ivy George
All actors and roles (10)

Scenario

Michael Dougherty, Todd Casey

Producer

Michael Dougherty, Thomas Tull, Jon Jashni, Alex Garcia, Daniel M. Stillman, Zach Shields

Operator

Jules O'Loughlin

Composer

Douglas Pipes

Artist

Audition

Amanda Mackey, Cathy Sandrich Gelfond, Miranda Rivers

Editing

John Axelrad
All team (89)

• Krampus in Austrian folklore is a goat-like companion of Saint Nicholas (the Dutch call him Sinterklaas, from which the name Santa Claus originates) who punishes naughty children. In Austrian cities and southern Germany, "Krampus Parades" are held, featuring teenagers and young men aged 14-18 dressed in the costume of this character.
• Director Michael Dougherty calls Krampus in this film a "shadow of Santa Claus." According to him, "it's not some kind of monster that knows no bounds and kicks down your door to grab you. There's something sinisterly playful about him. He enjoys what he does. For him, it's like a game of cat and mouse."
• According to director Michael Dougherty, this is a Christmas film that is both scary and sentimental. Dougherty said: "A Christmas Story" (2009) and "It's a Wonderful Life" (1946) are films about people undergoing spiritual cleansing. And they come to this cleansing through experienced horror."
• The image of Krampus created in the film is compiled from his depictions on postcards and illustrations in books.
• The film's premiere was originally scheduled for November 25th. It was moved to December 4th, closer to "Krampus Night," which is traditionally celebrated in Austria on December 5th.
• Composer Douglas Pipes calls the music written for the film a "collection of distorted Christmas carols with a touch of paganism." The soundtrack features the clatter of chains, bell ringing, the creaking of bones, and drumming on animal skin. Choral singing can be heard in different languages—sometimes monotonous, sometimes descending into a whisper.
• In Max's room, you can notice a couple of figures of characters from "Pacific Rim" (2013), another film by "Legendary Pictures", as well as posters of the animated series "Rick and Morty" (2013) and "Robot Chicken" (2005).
• A pre-premiere screening of the film for critics was not held.
• Omi Angel (grandmother) is the only one in the film who calls Krampus by name.
• Max's mother mentions the "noodle incident", which caused a quarrel with the neighbors. The "noodle incident" was repeatedly mentioned in the daily comic strip "Calvin and Hobbes" (1985-1995) by artist Bill Watterson. Neither in the comics nor in the film "Krampus" is its essence explained.
• In real life, Lolo Owen is the younger sister of Stephanie Owen.
• Michael Dougherty described the film he directed as a dark take on a family Christmas movie. As the director put it: "A Christmas movie exists as if inside its own glass snow globe. Family members, no matter how much they detest each other, ultimately reconcile and live happily ever after. Now imagine their arguments only escalate, and then Krampus somehow mystically enters their reality."
• When signing a letter to Santa Claus, Max writes "Max Engel." "Engel" is German for "angel." This indicates that the family whose story the film tells has German roots.
• In the film, Krampus acts as the antithesis of Santa Claus. Omi Engel calls him the "shadow" of Saint Nicholas. The character of Krampus is indeed reminiscent of Santa Claus – he has helpers and a sleigh. The bell Max receives is engraved with "Gruss Vom Krampus," which means "Greetings from Krampus."
• The house Krampus stands on in one poster is not the same one seen inside the snow globe in Krampus's hand on another poster.
• In Austrian folklore, Krampus is a goat-like companion of Saint Nicholas (known as Sinterklaas by the Dutch, from which the name Santa Claus originates) who punishes naughty children. "Krampus parades" are held in Austrian cities and southern Germany, featuring teenagers and young men aged 14-18 dressed as this character.
• Director Michael Dougherty calls Krampus in this film "the shadow of Santa Claus." According to him, "he's not some unstoppable monster who breaks down your door to grab you. There's something sinisterly playful about him. He enjoys what he does. For him, it’s like a game of cat and mouse."
• The film was originally scheduled to premiere on November 25th. It was moved to December 4th, closer to "Krampus Night," which is traditionally celebrated in Austria on December 5th.
• Composer Douglas Pipes describes the music written for the film as "a collection of distorted Christmas carols with a touch of paganism." The soundtrack features the clinking of chains, bell ringing, the creaking of bones, and drumming on animal skin. Choral singing can be heard in different languages – sometimes monotonous, sometimes descending into a whisper.
• In Max’s room, you can notice a couple of figures from "Pacific Rim" (2013), another film by "Legendary Pictures," as well as posters from the animated series "Rick and Morty" (2013) and "Robot Chicken" (2005).
• Max’s mother mentions "the noodle incident," which caused a quarrel with the neighbors. "The noodle incident" was repeatedly mentioned in the daily comic strip "Calvin and Hobbes" (1985-1995) by artist Bill Watterson. Its meaning is not explained in either the comics or the film "Krampus."
• Michael Dougherty described the film he directed as a dark take on a family Christmas movie. As the director put it: “The Christmas movie exists as if inside its own snow globe. Family members, no matter how much they dislike each other, ultimately reconcile and live happily ever after. Now imagine their arguments only escalate, and then Krampus somehow penetrates their reality.”
• When signing a letter to Santa Claus, Max writes “Max Engel.” “Engel” is the German word for “angel.” This indicates that the family whose story the film tells has German roots.
• In the film, Krampus acts as the antithesis of Santa Claus. Omi Engel refers to him as the “shadow” of Saint Nicholas. The character of Krampus genuinely resembles Santa Claus – he has helpers and a sleigh. The bell Max receives is engraved with the inscription “Gruss Vom Krampus,” which means “Greetings from Krampus.”