Not a bad film but certainly not a ten . The majority of the actors are good the story's well written and there's plenty of gore .
42 Reviews
A relatable Christmas movie
kathmummybear10 January 2020
I quite liked it.
warra-839-55040613 March 2019
This may fill your Christmas horror void.
dar041718 December 2019
For a B-horror film it has enough blood and nudity one would expect but with a plot that makes no sense and the end point is just a waste when it's all said and done. If you want to be entertained and you are looking for a watchable Christmas film this will fill the void.
So bad. Just so bad.
srwood-8399922 December 2018
I've never written an IMDB review before but I always had a feeling the time would come when I had to be a good citizen and set off a warning flare. That time is now. This is one of the worst movies I have ever seen. As a horror fan I have seen a lot of low calibre productions over the years but this takes the biscuit. I am struggling to find a single redeeming feature...I suppose the acting is just about passable but other than that it's just so so bad. It tries to be funny but misses the mark horribly, the direction is hideously pretentious in trying to be cool and different, and the whole thing looks like it's been filmed on a 2004 camera phone. Oh and I haven't even finished watching it yet, I don't think I'll bother. Merry Xmas.
How can you give a - rating
wayne462-16 December 2018
Terrible. Terrible. Terrible. Be warned.!
pelops11 October 2019
Had to leave this review, just to warn people how bad this film really is. Don't be taken in by the 10/10 ratings. They've obviously been left by friends and family, as well as hired reviewers in Pakistan.
False reviews seem to be rife. It's such a shame. If your after a horror movie choose something else. If you fancy a horror OF a movie then you're in the right place.
Don't Drink the Christmas Punch!
Coventry26 December 2021
Writer/director Adam Marcus probably doesn't realize half how accurate the title of his film, in fact, really is! In case you ever participated in a Secret Santa routine, in your family or among colleagues/friends, you just know that you never get what you really want, and that basically all presents are worthless. All I wanted for Christmas, was a fun and reasonably qualitative holiday-horror, but what I got was this lousy "Secret Santa".
Moreover, this is the worst type of bad movie. The type that thinks of itself as clever, tongue-in-cheek, and original. Hate to break it to you, Mr. Marcus, but your film isn't any of the above. It's a frustrating mix between vulgar humor and sickening gore, with exclusively loathsome characters. A rich and eccentric family, of which the father is a pharmaceutical tycoon, gathers at their cabin in a fancy skiing resort. It's the kind of family where everybody hates each other so badly, that it already is highly implausible they're celebrating Christmas together. Someone in the group spiced up the punch with a powerful truth-serum, which leads to even bigger arguments than usual. The serum apparently also has a bizarre side-effect, though, as they gradually also turn into mad-raving and drooling maniacs.
The gore is mean-spirited, but very poorly handled and not shocking at all, with a lot of CGI-stuff and hectic camerawork. The humor is frustrating because Adam Marcus makes use of "easy" stereotypes, like a boy who stutters, a pervert uncle, an uptight aunt, a Swedish girl, etc. The performances of the ensemble cast are lousy, but what do you expect with such a mediocre director in charge? Since it's Christmas, I'm generously giving two extra points, though. One for the opening credits in which the letters of the cast members' names turn into horror-terms, and one for the following quote that made me chuckle: "Your parents named you Penny because that's what they think you are worth!".
Moreover, this is the worst type of bad movie. The type that thinks of itself as clever, tongue-in-cheek, and original. Hate to break it to you, Mr. Marcus, but your film isn't any of the above. It's a frustrating mix between vulgar humor and sickening gore, with exclusively loathsome characters. A rich and eccentric family, of which the father is a pharmaceutical tycoon, gathers at their cabin in a fancy skiing resort. It's the kind of family where everybody hates each other so badly, that it already is highly implausible they're celebrating Christmas together. Someone in the group spiced up the punch with a powerful truth-serum, which leads to even bigger arguments than usual. The serum apparently also has a bizarre side-effect, though, as they gradually also turn into mad-raving and drooling maniacs.
The gore is mean-spirited, but very poorly handled and not shocking at all, with a lot of CGI-stuff and hectic camerawork. The humor is frustrating because Adam Marcus makes use of "easy" stereotypes, like a boy who stutters, a pervert uncle, an uptight aunt, a Swedish girl, etc. The performances of the ensemble cast are lousy, but what do you expect with such a mediocre director in charge? Since it's Christmas, I'm generously giving two extra points, though. One for the opening credits in which the letters of the cast members' names turn into horror-terms, and one for the following quote that made me chuckle: "Your parents named you Penny because that's what they think you are worth!".
Quite Good For What It Is
gloopy-452394 December 2018
Went into this one not expecting much but i actually found myself laughing at at it, along with the gory stuff going on.I'd say it was a Black Comedy/Horror, if you don't like gore, then i would give this one a miss as the gore comes thick and fast but boy, it's funny too.Not going to go into anything that happens in it, just sit down and enjoy the fest.
Beyond terrible
belindamarialongsden30 December 2019
Ho ho Horror
g-swanson230 December 2019
Cannot understand all the negative reviews. The acting is above average for this type of movie and the dialogue is funny and very very dark. For those of you willing to give a very different kind of Christmas flick a go...have fun and Happy Holidays.
jaw "drippingly" hilarious
taralunn31 December 2019
Warning: Spoilers
I watched this film... I laughed and laughed! it was brilliant for shock value... the most disturbing part was if most families took truth serum at Christmas this is exactly what would happen!
if you got munchies and an hour or so then please give this a go... it's too funny to miss !!
if you got munchies and an hour or so then please give this a go... it's too funny to miss !!
The holidays are a time for backstabbing and silent, annihilating judgment as Adam Marcus returns to the horror genre.
mwilson197616 December 2019
An unknown assailant spikes a dysfunctional and toxic family's Christmas punch with a military grade drug, turning them into homicidal maniacs and fighting to survive the night as they start turning on one another. Director Adam Marcus who gave us the Friday the 13th spin off Jason Goes to Hell, returns to the horror genre with this seasonal themed shocker. It's supposed to be a comedy but it's full of lame jokes and bad taste gore. One character is decapitated with a shovel and the assailant has sex with the head, another has a Christmas Tree star thrust through the back of their head and out through the mouth. The special effects are pretty good for such a low budget effort, but there are no sympathetic characters and it's not nearly as shocking as Marcus would like to think. Worth watching if you have a high tolerance for horror comedies, but other than that there's just a lot of tasteless and cruel jokes, a ton of cartoon blood, and a lack of originality wrapped up under this Christmas Tree.
A pointless piece of crap, just like most Secret Santa gifts.
BA_Harrison27 December 2020
Members of a wealthy family gather for Christmas dinner, but with the punch spiked with a powerful truth serum, old family feuds come to the fore, leading to extreme violence.
Writer/director Adam Marcus's Secret Santa is not to be confused with Secret Santa (2015), which is bad, but not quite as bad as this. Marcus gives us a film in which the characters are such a vile waste of skin that watching is painful.
One might imagine that seeing these utterly despicable people being bumped off in a variety of revolting ways would be a lot of fun, but it's not, the level of obnoxiousness so high that no amount of suffering is enough to compensate. Even when they're being sliced and diced, they're utterly reprehensible. The film is intended to be a black comedy, but people this horrible aren't funny in any circumstance; I loathed every minute in their company, even when they were dead.
There's a high level of graphic gore - decapitation by shovel, impalement on Christmas tree decoration, vomiting of internal organs etc. - but the special effects are 'enhanced' by CGI blood: just one more thing guaranteed to rankle this particular horror fan.
Writer/director Adam Marcus's Secret Santa is not to be confused with Secret Santa (2015), which is bad, but not quite as bad as this. Marcus gives us a film in which the characters are such a vile waste of skin that watching is painful.
One might imagine that seeing these utterly despicable people being bumped off in a variety of revolting ways would be a lot of fun, but it's not, the level of obnoxiousness so high that no amount of suffering is enough to compensate. Even when they're being sliced and diced, they're utterly reprehensible. The film is intended to be a black comedy, but people this horrible aren't funny in any circumstance; I loathed every minute in their company, even when they were dead.
There's a high level of graphic gore - decapitation by shovel, impalement on Christmas tree decoration, vomiting of internal organs etc. - but the special effects are 'enhanced' by CGI blood: just one more thing guaranteed to rankle this particular horror fan.
Seriously??
superstar-129 December 2019
REALLY good schlock...the way it was meant to be
Mike_T-Little_Mtn_Sound_Archive21 January 2023
I've read the reviews, and while some folks "got it," many did not. So...for those of you expecting to see a "legit" horror film, check yourself before you wreck yo...er...the movie. It is painfully obvious that the writer and director's intent for this flick was to follow in the grand tradition of making a rad, fun, culty, schlocky b-flick with just enough "wrongness" to make it right. In many ways, this has "cult classic" written all over it. For the future, that is.
Everything about this flick SCREAMS "cheesy b-flick" and they hit the mark. The constant clichés, the intentionally awkward dialog, the over-the-top EVERYTHING...it just succeeds at being bad, so well!
Surprisingly, for a b-flick, it was pretty well made. I mean, don't expect Oscar caliber, but as b-flicks are made, the money was spent in the right place...the effects (which were practical fx for the most part).
Really, the reviews needed one that let folks know that this is not a movie to be taken as a serious film. It must be taken in the grain it was meant for. With that, just get your popcorn, don't judge the flick like you would judge a "serious" film, and enjoy.
Coupla notes on content:
Everything about this flick SCREAMS "cheesy b-flick" and they hit the mark. The constant clichés, the intentionally awkward dialog, the over-the-top EVERYTHING...it just succeeds at being bad, so well!
Surprisingly, for a b-flick, it was pretty well made. I mean, don't expect Oscar caliber, but as b-flicks are made, the money was spent in the right place...the effects (which were practical fx for the most part).
Really, the reviews needed one that let folks know that this is not a movie to be taken as a serious film. It must be taken in the grain it was meant for. With that, just get your popcorn, don't judge the flick like you would judge a "serious" film, and enjoy.
Coupla notes on content:
- I don't recall seeing any nudity beyond one scene that is relatively close to the beginning. It's not lengthy, but it's there and it's mildly graphic.
- Enough profanity to make a sailor blush. Most of it is beautifully scripted in to some completely over-the-top scenes and dialog.
- While there is some good blood and gore, I wouldn't call it a gorefest, and most of the "action" is saved for the second half of the film. Nonetheless, if you don't like blood (in rather copious amounts and in some pretty gross ways) then this is not for you.
- I don't recall any drug use, but all these people were nuts by the end, so they didn't need it!
Black hearts amongst white snow.
Cinema_Fan29 December 2019
Christmas comes but once a year, and within this year of prolonged absents of family trivialities one may just use this time of abstention to mould past angers, past resentments and embittered grudges; time here is certainly not the healer of festive cheer.
An examination of an unsettling character study of a family gone awry during this festive period of togetherness and tolerance is set against a family reunion that besets the inner circle with bitter hostilities and sour truths. It is quite frankly a boiling-pot of frustrations and indifference to any form of respect and love toward one another; these blood-lines have been severely severed during time and this winter solstice celebration of Christmas tidings have reached the equinox and irreversibly tipped into a state of perpetual darkness.
This disturbing dark comedy has a rich, if not too seemingly cliché, contemporary, and most notably, fractured, middle-class nuclear family at its epicentre and with a varied personality clash as the middle-classes values and moralities we see a notorious and foreboding nucleus imploding resulting in old and fresh wounds opening with a vengeance.
The writers' here have prepared a wonderful dish of an evil and sardonic flavour that cuts with a fervour of pure malice; the essence of hate and jealousies convey an ambiance of uncomfortable resilience of portraying what exactly lies under the surface of this family get-together. Notwithstanding the diverse cast of characters, it is really the script that hits home and does its utmost to deliver a plentiful feast of derision, scorn and contempt. It is more than a dialogue but a central nerve that teeters on the brink of insanity; sharp, focused and predacious in nature.
The team of Mr. Robert Kurtzman and Ms. Marcia King-Kurtzman have added a palate of equal measure of gore to the festivities, pushing a strong combination of horrific sights and wonting violence. It is all fitting in very well in conjuncture of said vicious script and its violent sequence of events that push home the narrative of how much integrity can both inflict pain and relief anguish. To paraphrase the old adage that "many a true word is said in jest" or that truth is often found in comic utterances is that drives its agenda.
This is an exceptionally cruel and unpleasant film to watch, notwithstanding, and not necessarily because of, the bloodshed but simply because of this feuding family. The grinch like tone has come and taken the spirit of Christmas and turned this festive mood into a moot point of family ethics and tolerance.
The Christmas horror film genre has come a long way since the days of Scrooge (1951), Black Christmas (1974), Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984), Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale (2010) and Mercy Christmas (2017) for example, it is all a varied style of Yuletide horror, and being a mixed bag of festive frights, all this fun and frolics only add to the delight of Santa's secret bag of goodies: enjoy.
An examination of an unsettling character study of a family gone awry during this festive period of togetherness and tolerance is set against a family reunion that besets the inner circle with bitter hostilities and sour truths. It is quite frankly a boiling-pot of frustrations and indifference to any form of respect and love toward one another; these blood-lines have been severely severed during time and this winter solstice celebration of Christmas tidings have reached the equinox and irreversibly tipped into a state of perpetual darkness.
This disturbing dark comedy has a rich, if not too seemingly cliché, contemporary, and most notably, fractured, middle-class nuclear family at its epicentre and with a varied personality clash as the middle-classes values and moralities we see a notorious and foreboding nucleus imploding resulting in old and fresh wounds opening with a vengeance.
The writers' here have prepared a wonderful dish of an evil and sardonic flavour that cuts with a fervour of pure malice; the essence of hate and jealousies convey an ambiance of uncomfortable resilience of portraying what exactly lies under the surface of this family get-together. Notwithstanding the diverse cast of characters, it is really the script that hits home and does its utmost to deliver a plentiful feast of derision, scorn and contempt. It is more than a dialogue but a central nerve that teeters on the brink of insanity; sharp, focused and predacious in nature.
The team of Mr. Robert Kurtzman and Ms. Marcia King-Kurtzman have added a palate of equal measure of gore to the festivities, pushing a strong combination of horrific sights and wonting violence. It is all fitting in very well in conjuncture of said vicious script and its violent sequence of events that push home the narrative of how much integrity can both inflict pain and relief anguish. To paraphrase the old adage that "many a true word is said in jest" or that truth is often found in comic utterances is that drives its agenda.
This is an exceptionally cruel and unpleasant film to watch, notwithstanding, and not necessarily because of, the bloodshed but simply because of this feuding family. The grinch like tone has come and taken the spirit of Christmas and turned this festive mood into a moot point of family ethics and tolerance.
The Christmas horror film genre has come a long way since the days of Scrooge (1951), Black Christmas (1974), Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984), Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale (2010) and Mercy Christmas (2017) for example, it is all a varied style of Yuletide horror, and being a mixed bag of festive frights, all this fun and frolics only add to the delight of Santa's secret bag of goodies: enjoy.
Has "Cult Classic" Written All Over It
ryanbigbro14 December 2020
I didn't really know what to expect from this movie, but it got under my skin upon the first viewing. It somehow manages to strike the perfect chord between darkly hilarious and horrifying at the same time. It grabbed me from the beginning and didn't let go. Filled with memorable performances, this cast was somehow able to create an onscreen chemistry that is rarely achieved by a horror movie. In our household, we have an annual Holiday Horrorthon instead of a traditional Christmas party. We showed this movie for the first time last year, and I can tell you that we have never received a bigger reaction (or bigger praise) for any movie we've ever shown before than we did for "Secret Santa." We never show any of the same movies two years in a row, however, we had so many requests for this one that we brought it back again this year. NOTE: this movie also makes for a pretty amazing drinking game, if you're up for it.
A Great Dark Comedy For The Holidays
fanzcenevids21 November 2020
Secret Santa is a film about a dysfunctional rich family coming together for there annual Christmas gathering. Secrets and bad mouthing are the norm, and the family feels like one you may know or be apart of. When everyone suddely begins to loose there crap during the Secret Santa game, and all kinds of murder, mayhem, and comedy ensues. Plus, you do get a very ingenious reason for the madness as the plot unfolds. The characters are relatable, and when you begin to loose them you feel that loss, but it's done so entertainingly. Sometimes you find yourself rooting for things you shouldn't and sometimes you find yourself loathing them. Athough not a polished big budget film, which plays to it's strenth and makes it feel almost realistic at times. Director Adam Marcus puts forth a Christmas, horror/comedy that if given the chance you may just enjoy and add it to your seasonal holiday rotation. I say this as not being a fan of horror movies set at Christmas, but dammit Adam Marcus made one that I fully enjoy and will definitely watch again.
It was FRIGGING HORRIBLE. But that's exactly what makes it work.
Joseph-Molion22 December 2019
This movie is schlock at its absolute schlockiest. Terrible over-acting, goofy one dimensional characters, mean spirited people as far as the eye can see.
But if you watch it with an eye toward absurdist, over the top grotesquery, it works.
It truly is a movie so bad it circles back around to good again.
But if you watch it with an eye toward absurdist, over the top grotesquery, it works.
It truly is a movie so bad it circles back around to good again.
Is it me, or is it hot in here?
Devokees11 October 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Heh, and you thought YOUR family was unbearable during the holidays? Wait until you get a load of this bunch! Secret Santa is an independent horror film that packs a PUNCH and wraps itself up nicely with a bow in the end!
Written by Adam Marcus and Debra Sullivan, the film is as witty and fun as it is gross, and gory! The back and forth dialog feels real at times!
Secluded in a lodge on a mountain side, the Pope family get together for their annual Christmas dinner, and Secret Santa! What starts out as a regular holiday get together, ends in peril!
Eyeballs pop, heads roll, and blood squirts and boy does it squirt! The late great John Gilbert gives an amazing performance as does Debra Sullivan! All the other actors are really good and fit their roles well!
The film was shot quickly and on a tight budget, but director Adam Marcus knows where to put his money when shooting, and with his background in theater Adam does a great job working with the actors to get the best performances he can.
Some excellent homages to John Carpenter's the Thing, Halloween, hell... parts of the score sound like a John Carpenter's Christmas Album! It's wonderful!
Although this is a Christmas movie, you can watch it during any season! You don't want to miss this one! It's like a Hallmark movie on steroids. Make this part of your Holiday viewing, it goes good between Rudolph the red nose reindeer and Elf.
Secret Santa, it's the gift that keeps on giving!
Phew... hallelujah, holy crap ... where's the Sodium Pentothal.
P. S. I do not ass cancer on the director.
Written by Adam Marcus and Debra Sullivan, the film is as witty and fun as it is gross, and gory! The back and forth dialog feels real at times!
Secluded in a lodge on a mountain side, the Pope family get together for their annual Christmas dinner, and Secret Santa! What starts out as a regular holiday get together, ends in peril!
Eyeballs pop, heads roll, and blood squirts and boy does it squirt! The late great John Gilbert gives an amazing performance as does Debra Sullivan! All the other actors are really good and fit their roles well!
The film was shot quickly and on a tight budget, but director Adam Marcus knows where to put his money when shooting, and with his background in theater Adam does a great job working with the actors to get the best performances he can.
Some excellent homages to John Carpenter's the Thing, Halloween, hell... parts of the score sound like a John Carpenter's Christmas Album! It's wonderful!
Although this is a Christmas movie, you can watch it during any season! You don't want to miss this one! It's like a Hallmark movie on steroids. Make this part of your Holiday viewing, it goes good between Rudolph the red nose reindeer and Elf.
Secret Santa, it's the gift that keeps on giving!
Phew... hallelujah, holy crap ... where's the Sodium Pentothal.
P. S. I do not ass cancer on the director.
a christmas party youll never ever forget...if you dare.
ops-525353 December 2018
First of all this is an 18+ rated film one the ops-rating scale ,so beware not to show it to your children,wife,husband,granny and great grannys neighbours girlfriend,boyfriend teachers,police,cell-mate or at your x-mas party, because this is the blodiest and most bizarre x-mas party movie that ive seen..
keywords are bad medicine,punch,death ,turkey ,allergies,cell-phones,car keys,gender,half siblings,gifts and party games.
its definately not horor,i will rather call it a frightnite bloodyslasher comedy movie.
its crazy from start to end,since everybody seems to hate eachother and in the end the last man doesnt stand.
howcome i give it a 9??? well its well acted, the dialouges are hammered at eachother without a glitch,the true spirit of hatred shines through all the way, its even comic at some stages,and beware this is not a hallmark movie,more like a hellmarkede one.
the last 20 minutes is a true whirl of devastation,wellacted and full of irony,but the lack of selfsensorship makes me feel sick and nearly throw up.
its an endearing style of film that entices you with great settings ,music,and makes you feel quite comfortabble,so take this as a warning,do switch to another program when you smell blood,cause there will be more in secret santa.
this is a recommendable film ......unfortunately
Incredibly Funny
juderussell-8409419 December 2019
Secret Santa might not have the best production values and it might wear its limited budget on its sleeve, but it has something a lot of similar films don't have - a damn good script and actors who know what they're doing.
A young woman returns home with her boyfriend for Christmas and gives him a warning - her family is nuts. Sure enough, we all begin to realize just how awful and unsupportive they are. Before the meal is even served, they're already at each other's throats for several past slights and one of them finally has enough, starting a chain reaction of murder and mayhem for the rest of the evening.
Secret Santa is a constantly surprising and ridiculously funny film that goes in so many bizarre directions that it's hard to keep up. Unlike a lot of indie films where you scratch your brain and wonder how these no-talents got hired as actors, Secret Santa features one of the most interesting (and funny) ensembles in recent memory. There's not a weak link in the bunch and everyone pulls their own weight. Better yet, they all seem to be on the same page about how this kind of movie should be played.
The script by Adam Marcus and Debra Sullivan is fast, witty, incredibly inappropriate, and incredibly exciting. Some awful instances of CGI blood taint the film a little bit, but when you have a script and cast this funny, who cares?
A young woman returns home with her boyfriend for Christmas and gives him a warning - her family is nuts. Sure enough, we all begin to realize just how awful and unsupportive they are. Before the meal is even served, they're already at each other's throats for several past slights and one of them finally has enough, starting a chain reaction of murder and mayhem for the rest of the evening.
Secret Santa is a constantly surprising and ridiculously funny film that goes in so many bizarre directions that it's hard to keep up. Unlike a lot of indie films where you scratch your brain and wonder how these no-talents got hired as actors, Secret Santa features one of the most interesting (and funny) ensembles in recent memory. There's not a weak link in the bunch and everyone pulls their own weight. Better yet, they all seem to be on the same page about how this kind of movie should be played.
The script by Adam Marcus and Debra Sullivan is fast, witty, incredibly inappropriate, and incredibly exciting. Some awful instances of CGI blood taint the film a little bit, but when you have a script and cast this funny, who cares?
Is it hot in here?
nogodnomasters29 March 2022
Warning: Spoilers
April (A Leslie Kies) is in charge of the secret Santa gift exchange at her family's Christmas Eve dinner. She brings her latest boyfriend Ty (Michael Rady) an attorney. Her family made its money off of Pharmaceuticals and are a bit dysfunctional, a little more than most families. They are all dysfunctional in fun way until things come to a boil and bloody.
I enjoyed this film as it was a fresh new horror in an overcrowded genre. Petra Areskoug made me laugh out loud about midway through the film with a line I can't repeat. A film for those who love comedy slashers.
Guide: F-word, sex, nudity (Michelle Renee Allaire)
I enjoyed this film as it was a fresh new horror in an overcrowded genre. Petra Areskoug made me laugh out loud about midway through the film with a line I can't repeat. A film for those who love comedy slashers.
Guide: F-word, sex, nudity (Michelle Renee Allaire)
A raunchy good time.
gibgerard19 December 2018
If you like horror, holidays and funny, then this is the movie for you. Great performances, great, startling scares, and a delightful familial mischievousness that, despite the horrible demise of many of the characters, will leave you just a little jealous of the brutal honesty displayed. Worth your time.
Yes it was made with an indie budget, but that doesn't take away from the kills and fun.
Yes it was made with an indie budget, but that doesn't take away from the kills and fun.
See also
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