My quick rating - 3.2/10. Another entry from the Bloody Disgusting brand, this flick attempts to merge holiday cheer with classic horror but ends up delivering a lump of coal instead. The film begins with an intriguing premise: Max Causey, at six years old, accidentally kills Santa Claus. Fast forward 12 years, and Max decides to resurrect the jolly old soul—only to unwittingly unleash a bloodthirsty monster on his friend’s Christmas party. The potential for a campy horror-comedy is there, but it’s squandered by amateur execution and missed opportunities. The Frankenstein-inspired setup could have been a playground for clever satire or inventive scares, yet what unfolds feels more like a haphazard student project than a polished production. One of the most glaring issues is the acting. The cast appears to be having a blast making the movie—so much so that their grins and giggles seep into scenes where they’re entirely inappropriate. Whether this is a case of bad editing or lack of direction, it pulls viewers out of the story at every turn. The practical effects are subpar, with little effort to make the gore or kills impactful. A single attempt at digital effects—a severed head—proves even worse, standing out as a glaring eyesore that pales in comparison to what practical effects could have achieved. Even the titular monster, a resurrected and murderous Santa, is poorly executed. With a goofy grin plastered across his face, he fails to evoke any sense of dread or menace. Instead of the creepy unease of a film like Smile, this feels more like a blooper reel that accidentally made the final cut. While the opening scene shows a glimmer of potential, it quickly evaporates as the story tumbles downhill. There’s a palpable sense of “what could have been,” but the amateurish filmmaking and lack of cohesive vision ensure this movie will remain in the bargain bin of holiday horror. If you’re in the mood for festive frights, there are better options. This one may get a laugh or two if viewed ironically with friends, but for most, it’s a miss. Whether it was released in 2018, 2023, or 2024, it’s clear Santastein fails to bring the magic—or the terror—of Christmas to life.
In case you can't find anything better to watch, plenty of freebies and Amazon have it.
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