Christmas has always enjoyed its fair market share of holiday comedy horror themes, and it's clear this unique genre shows no signs of slowing down. Fortunately, for those of us who occasionally enjoy this eclectic category, there's no lack of Holiday Horror films to choose from. Certain standout offerings include American films like Santa's Slay (2005) and Krampus (2015), Finland's Rare Exports (2010), and the Dutch holiday horror treat, Saint (2010).
Saint (aka "Sint") fits into this extraordinary film category quite nicely, blatantly ignoring the benign traditions of steaming cups of strong hot chocolate, knee shaking bowls of almond-flavored marzipan, and even the holiday Elf himself, jolly old St. Nick. Instead, we must fend ourselves against a malignant, ancient and deadly Spirit who rides a pure white spirit horse and seems unstoppable. For you see, in this Netherlands holiday tradition, it's not about December 24th, nor Kris Kringle's annual supersonic flight to magnanimously deliver toys to all the good children of the world. Instead, the focus is the Dutch Sinterklass, or more accurately, Bishop Saint Nickolas, a murderous pirate-spirit who returns every 23 years to mercilessly slay anyone who does not honor him with the proper homage. And instead of Santa Claus's helper Elves, the evil Bishop is accompanied by an equally barbarous crew called "Black Peters," where, on December 5th, and specifically, on a night where there is a full full moon, bad things happen to nice people.
No spoilers here as usual, but I will reveal that the spectacular scenes of the Bishop atop his white steed speedily charging over the rooftops of Amsterdam is something you will never forget. For me, this well executed film has sparked a new interest in foreign holiday movies (especially when they are nicely dubbed in English).
I hope the film's director, Dick Maas, will consider either a sequel or a new film in this genre. His own stardom awaits him.
Saint (aka "Sint") fits into this extraordinary film category quite nicely, blatantly ignoring the benign traditions of steaming cups of strong hot chocolate, knee shaking bowls of almond-flavored marzipan, and even the holiday Elf himself, jolly old St. Nick. Instead, we must fend ourselves against a malignant, ancient and deadly Spirit who rides a pure white spirit horse and seems unstoppable. For you see, in this Netherlands holiday tradition, it's not about December 24th, nor Kris Kringle's annual supersonic flight to magnanimously deliver toys to all the good children of the world. Instead, the focus is the Dutch Sinterklass, or more accurately, Bishop Saint Nickolas, a murderous pirate-spirit who returns every 23 years to mercilessly slay anyone who does not honor him with the proper homage. And instead of Santa Claus's helper Elves, the evil Bishop is accompanied by an equally barbarous crew called "Black Peters," where, on December 5th, and specifically, on a night where there is a full full moon, bad things happen to nice people.
No spoilers here as usual, but I will reveal that the spectacular scenes of the Bishop atop his white steed speedily charging over the rooftops of Amsterdam is something you will never forget. For me, this well executed film has sparked a new interest in foreign holiday movies (especially when they are nicely dubbed in English).
I hope the film's director, Dick Maas, will consider either a sequel or a new film in this genre. His own stardom awaits him.