In a twist that defies explanation, the military-industrial complex has birthed a lethal robotic Santa in the film “Christmas Bloody Christmas.” The movie kicks off with a “RoboCop”-esque sequence featuring faux TV ads for festive events, including a Christmas rock concert and Yuletide promotions. Little did anyone suspect that the creation known as RoboSanta+ would go haywire, purely for the sake of chaos.
As December 24th approaches, Tori Tooms (played by Riley Dandy), a disillusioned record store owner, finds herself confronting an evil robot Santa (Abraham Benrubi). Before the inevitable showdown, Tori closes her store for the night with assistance from her employee Robbie (Sam Delich), setting the stage for a bizarre and boozy encounter.
Tori and Robbie engage in lively banter, defining their romantic dynamic with emphatic, un-sober dialogue. Their conversations, laden with unsolicited opinions, reveal a tedious yet relatable edge. The film’s neon glow-in-the-dark aesthetic, featuring over-saturated Christmas lights and spray-painted visuals, adds a unique touch to Tori and Robbie’s interactions.
While the film’s premise may not win points for credibility, its early scenes of hangout comedy between Tori and Robbie offer genuine moments of entertainment. Writer/director Joe Begos infuses the characters with affection, attempting to make their seasonal disenchantment feel more real than the high-concept chaos surrounding them.
The film, shot mostly with 16mm cameras, struggles to sustain its credibility, particularly as the killer Santa enters the scene for a series of muddy action and kill sequences. Despite its gimmicks, the movie’s charm lies in Tori and Robbie’s established camaraderie.
Tori and Robbie’s banter involves frequent cursing, spirited discussions about music, and compensatory references to horror movies. As they navigate their pre-plot courtship, filled with excessive drinking and drug use, the film introduces Lahna (Dora Madison) and Jay (Jonah Ray), whose fates are sealed by the unleashed Santa.
“Christmas Bloody Christmas” tries to capture the essence of psychotronic cinema from Begos’ adolescence but falls short, delivering a hazy and half-remembered recreation. In a market saturated with micro-budget Christmas horror films, this offering fails to stand out, presenting a sluggish fantasy interrupted by predictable chase and body count scenes. For those seeking a unique holiday film experience, “Christmas Bloody Christmas” may leave you saying, “Ho, ho, ho, now you’ve seen it all.”
Now showing in theaters and streaming exclusively on Shudder.