Let's Kill Grandpa This Christmas (2017) User Reviews

He's as healthy as a lark

[nogodnomasters · 4/10 · 23 July 2018]

Plot spoilers? Sisters Leigh (Courtney Desman) and Jen (Diana Bologna) visit Grandpa for Christmas and his 80th birthday. Their husbands come with as well as Ray (Mackenzie Westmoreland), a wheel chair vet with a head wound and brother of Brett (Brian Gianci). Brett is married to Jen, a heavy drinker and is having an affair with her sister Leigh. Carl is Leigh's husband who recently lost his job and hasn't told her. He is mousey and is pushed around by everyone.

Grandpa is not the most likeable character, and is worth 2.2 million dollars.....

Amusing at times. Basically it tried too hard.

Guide: F-word. Implied sex. No nudity.

Screwball Movie - Not Funny

[fredgfinklemeyer · 4/10 · 27 January 2019]

01/26/2019 Don't waste your time watching this home made movie or you'll be sorry that you did.

Lol @ the reviews

[richyjwill · 1/10 · 16 July 2018]

I'm calling BS on all the reviews over 3 on this movie. So that is all of them (except this one). Its shocking. Don't bother!

What did I just watch?

[contactmaz · 1/10 · 18 July 2018]

Film was absolute crap... I agree with Richy in that some of these reviews are fake. In fact, any review over 1 is a fake. I only gave it a 1 because there is nothing lower. How can one of the reviewers say that the acting was 'top notch'? The acting was crap, the story was crap and the film hurt so much watching, I am embarrassed to write this review because it means that I watched it all the way through. By the way, I didn't laugh once - I just sat there like a dumb-* waiting for the crap to finish to some sort of thrilling ending. I was wrong - it was just as crap as the beginning, the middle and really, just all of it!

High ratings are most likely fake

[authorcamilson-499-156858 · 2/10 · 23 January 2020]

It is obvious that the high rating of 8, 9 or 10 are obviously fake, considering the overacting and the overplay of the character Carl (James Wirt) who is supposed to be a "natural born loser of everything". In a way, this came across as a ripoff of the 1994 film, Greedy. But with a low or zero budget. The only redeeming aspect of this was the ending. This could have been a lot better if the script and directing was more fleshed out, and characters that were more third dimensional.

I will point out a "goof" here, in that Carl had been fired "couple months ago" (as revealed at the 8 minute mark), and he was unemployed, for "a couple of months" so where was all the money coming from the pay the mortgage? (revealed at 9 min 35s). If the wife (Leigh) was that much of a control freak, she would have had access and control of all their banking, and she would have known there was no income coming in.

The final nail in the coffin for this: The character of Jerry Ryan (George Deihl Jr. ) they tried to make him sound like Phil Hartman. (listen closely around the 8 minute mark to hear the comparison).

Honestly, this could have been a lot better.

One of the worst movies ever

[arditberisha1 · 1/10 · 4 September 2018]

This is absolutely one of the worst films ever made. The acting was horrible .Really can't remember which one is worse than this one , 'The Room' from Tommy Wiseau maybe.

The ups, the downs of holidays...

[SLKoether · 7/10 · 5 June 2018]

Here's a nice twist on the warm-fuzzy holiday flicks. Fun premise and fun to watch.

A high quality quirky fun movie!

[ruddycarpio · 9/10 · 24 August 2018]

This movie is super entertaining, my friends and I couldn't stop laughing, just when you think you can't laugh anymore it only gets better. This dark comedy surely will become a classic in no time, accompanied of great performance, a superb script, this film is highly recommended!

Fun black comedy

[Phil_Chester · 6 July 2018]

A fun black comedy for fans of Bad Santa. All the characters are despicable, but this is so well written that you love them nonetheless. Plenty of laugh-out-loud moments and enough suspense to keep you rooted to the end. Recommended.

Qyirky low budget comedy that has its moments

[cbax123 · 7/10 · 26 April 2019]

An interesting twist on your classical holiday film. The film lives through its main characters quirkiness ,that at times can be hit or miss, but overall is one of the strong parts of the film The simplicity of the story allows the main actor to shine and provide moments of dark comedy sprinkled throughout. The film teeters on the edge of both comedy and thriller but utilizes the tropes of each successfully. There's an undertone of suspense that's constant, which keeps the audience on their feet. Well done for a low budget film.

Highly entertaining!

[kisiel-1 · 9/10 · 13 September 2018]

I really like dark holiday comedies and this is a great one! If you are looking for a fun ride - this is it!

A good solid comedy

[johnapplebee-95947 · 8/10 · 5 February 2019]

A good, funny and dark comedy. Worth the watch. I mean who would really try so hard to kill there grandfather? Well if my grampa was that evil I would too lol. A very funny holiday movie that ends with a bang.

Your contrast program for Christmas

[jblockbuster · 8/10 · 2 January 2019]

Fed up with all those happy day Christmas films? This dark comedy might just be the right film for you. No likeable characters (well acted though!), everyone with their own agenda, and it all plays out nicely with an unexpected twist in the end.

I wouldn't specifically say I was laughing throughout, but I definitely smiled a lot. It's a, let's say, fresh view on Christmas ;) I wasn't a great fan of the chopped editing, but overall the production value was good for an independent film. Overall, I recommend watching it!

Just in Time for the Holidays, Grandpa! STAB STAB STAB!!!

[tim-mcspadden · 8/10 · 15 January 2019]

Odd ball quirky little dark comedy that wants to make you think its more scary than it really is with just the amount of twist on all those phony holiday movies we get force fed this time of year. I enjoyed watching this movie for and thought "why just stop at Grandpa? I see a few more characters in this movie to ad to the list!" hahaha! And that's the point, when a movie makes it difficult to root for just one character, it's a delicate high wire process.. one that the Director Gianci navigates delicately.. some folks might get snobby about the low budget filmmaking but I always applaud these type of efforts and amazed when a film from nowhere manages to entertain in a new way.. I'm not sure how a politically incorrect movie like this got made during the MeToo crybaby era where snowflakes get their panties in a bunch over Christmas songs like "Baby its cold outside" - so kudos to the filmmakers for having the guts to get er done!!

a wild and entertaining ride

[JoshSegel · 9/10 · 5 February 2019]

It takes a lot of confidence and clarity of vision to pull off a darkly comedic thriller, and Brian Gianci clearly has what it takes to get the job done. This bold and unique film balances the comedy and suspense beautifully, and it has such a great throwback feel to it. His rogue's gallery of entertainingly despicable characters is brought to life by a very game and solid cast. The whole thing has a really nice rhythm and flow to it, keeping you engaged and guessing throughout. If you're in the mood for a movie that's just the right amount of bonkers, check this one out!

A bit quirky and definitely different

[fredwilharm · 8/10 · 24 September 2018]

While dark comedy isn't my genre, I can see that those who like it will love "Let's Kill Grandpa". The love story between Grandpa and the least likely family member was a bit out there, but there are definitely some laugh out loud moments elsewhere. "Grandpa" was an excellent casting choice.

Twisted Dark Comedy

[JGReviews · 9/10 · 7 February 2019]

Let's Kill Grandpa is about a miserable family of misfits who get together over Christmas. Their grandpa is an insufferable old man who is holding onto over two million dollars of potential inheritance for his kids and their spouses, so a few members of the family decide that they should put Grandpa out of his misery and collect their money. The film is a throwback to movies like Throw Momma from the Train that many of us remember fondly. Let's Kill Grandpa has a twisted and dark sense of humor and a cast full of quirky characters that make the film a lot of fun. I'd recommend Let's Kill Grandpa to anyone who appreciates a good indie dark comedy like I do.

"We're Not Killing Grandpa. We're Putting Him To Sleep."

[TheAll-SeeingI · 10/10 · 14 January 2019]

As an dark comedy junkie, I was hoping I might be easily swayed by the humor profile hinted at by the blunt-force titling of Brian Gianci's Let's Kill Grandpa (This Christmas), not to mention the possible homage to "Throw Momma From The Train" the titling may also intend. I'm pleased to report that to its great credit, Let's Kill Grandpa is indeed a film filled with the kind of laughs we know we shouldn't be having. The characters are lovably unlikable, and with great aplomb, Gianci deftly weaves darkly comedic elements with horror/suspense ingredients and a dash of thriller.

Grandpa himself is old, apparently faltering, and he's stuffed to the gills with his heirs' future inheritance. The plot gets hatched, and by the time we weave our way through the film's thrills and dilemmas, we think we might know what's beneath the wrapping paper. But here again Gianci surprises and delights with his high level ability to straddle the finer points of three genres and deliver a singular work that is as humorous as it is unique.

Everyone who has sat through bad stand-up knows that comedy is a highly flammable pool to swim in. Too often, that's also arguably the reason that ambitious comedy - particularly dark comedy - is averted in favor of safer pastures. Here, Gianci by no means plays it safe. Instead, he assumes heightened risk in striving for something individual, and ultimately meets those self-imposed challenges by delivering a film that truly sits in its own space.

Gianci captures the spirit of Christmas in an irreverent and off-beat way

[contact-742-500835 · 10/10 · 28 November 2017]

This irreverent Christmas black comedy has some very funny moments. From its witty introduction to the Grandpa at the opening, to the atypical wedding that closes it the film it never loses its wit. The characters defy the conventional typecasts for these sorts of film, lending the film a fresh and exciting feeling.

The central performance from James Wirt was impressive. He embodied the role of the useless doormat well, adopting mannerisms and affectations that all added to a convincing characterization. Similarly, his wife serves as a brilliantly boisterous contrast to her cuckolded spouse.

The film's editing was good. There were several playful cuts (the edit switching to the chopping axe for example) that kept the film engaging. The pace of the film was steady, sustaining interest throughout the 80 minutes. The dream sequence was particularly effective in this sense. Shots were framed well throughout and maintained an aesthetic coherence.

Sound editing sustained the feel of an ironic Christmas comedy, and the soundtrack was orchestrated with the visuals well.

Fun dark comedy worth checking out

[davidjzellis · 9/10 · 24 April 2018]

First off the guy who plays James Wirt eerily looks like Jason Lee. All that aside this is a fun creepy, dark, atmospheric and sometimes gross horror / comedy/ thriller. I enjoyed it quit a bit it plays out like a better episode of "Tales from the Crypt" mixed with "Black Christmas" and a perverse version of "Home Alone" for good measure. Let's Kill Grandpa is a fresh and original film overall, my props go to all the cast who put in great performances well never devolving into stereotypes of these characters. That being said if you are a fan of Dark Comedy mixed with a bit

Delightful dark comedy thriller.

[vincentjroth · 8/10 · 25 April 2018]

Delightful dark comedy thriller. Clever dialogue and some fun suspenseful surprises while conducting a little social commentary exploring moral boundaries. An enjoyable twist on the "get rich quick" scheme theme often portrayed in film and on TV, and which many fantasize about, with a bit of holiday cheer.

Twisted Family Christmas

[JenBLovesMovies · 8/10 · 24 April 2018]

Everybody's family is twisted in some way, this one is just more twisted than others. I loved all the fun surprising turns this movie took. If you've ever had thoughts of killing your family at Christmas, this might scratch your itch, in a legal way.

Christmas with a great holiday twist!

[jacobtillman · 8/10 · 15 May 2018]

Two of my favorite things in one movie. Christmas and Grandpa's with attitude! In this dark comedy Carl just wants to fit in. As this film unfolds his crazy friend tries to convince Carl to kill his Grandpa but things don't quite go as planned. The acting in this movie is top notch and I would recommend this gem to anyone that likes dark comedies in their Christmas stocking.

Fun & twisted holiday tale

[melissacenter · 8/10 · 1 May 2018]

I love the premise of this! If you have a dark sense of humor, this is a really fun watch

Everything I love in a movie

[Smgrte235860 · 10/10 · 10 May 2018]

I love movies set in Christmastime, I love movies about people doing a bad thing, I love dark comedies, so I gotta say I loved Let's Kill Grandpa.