Krampus: What The 2015 Horror Movie Gets Right (& Wrong) About The Legend
Krampus remains as one of the most popular Christmas horror movies, but how accurate is figure from European folklore depicted in the film?
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Krampus remains as one of the most popular Christmas horror movies, but how accurate is the legend depicted in the film? Directed by Michael Dougherty, the 2015 movie put a spotlight on the demonic holiday figure made popular by European folklore. Also known as the “Christmas devil,” Krampus is the focus of stories that spans centuries as one of the scariest oppositions of jolly ol’ Santa Claus. Interestingly enough, Dougherty’s version of the terrifying demon was relatively accurate when it comes to the figure’s origins.
Krampus follows the dysfunctional Engel family after they accidentally summon the ancient demonic entity due to their lack of Christmas spirit. In the days leading up to the big holiday, extended family members arrive, adding to the already growing tension in the household. When a blizzard hits, unexplained horrors begin wreaking havoc in the neighborhood. When members of the Engel family emerge as victims, the family matriarch shares the story of Krampus, who she first encountered in Germany during her youth. Featuring stars like Toni Collette, Adam Scott, Emjay Anthony, David Koechner, and Allison Tolman, the horror film received mixed reactions, but it has since gained a cult following of sorts.
According to the movie’s interpretation, Krampus was a demonic spirit that targeted those who lost their Christmas spirit. Young Max (Emjay Anthony) ended up summoning the dangerous creature and its minions after giving up on his belief of Santa. His grandmother, Omi (Krista Stadler), claimed that Krampus would drag his victims to hell, having experienced the terror when the demon targeted her family in war-torn Germany. To teach her a lesson, Krampus let her live, but he left behind a bell with his name on it as a reminder. While Dougherty’s movie took the legend up a notch by adding living gingerbread man and monstrous toys, much of the folklore was right on the nose.
How The 2015 Krampus Movie Compares To The European Legend
The legend of Krampus is said to have started around the 17th century across different European countries. While some details in the lore can vary, its appearance remains identical throughout all interpretations. As presented in the 2015 Krampus movie, the figure appears as a large half-goat, half-demon with hooves, curling horns, and a long tongue. While Krampus has pre-Christian origins, the figure has evolved as a rival to Saint Nick in traditional Christmas tales. This isn’t uncommon in Christmas mythos, considering other the Icelandic lore of Gryla or the presence of Belsnickel.
Whereas most variations of the folklore features Krampus targeting children who misbehave ahead of Christmas, the movie focused on the notion of lost Christmas spirit. By focusing on naughty kids, the folklore had the power to introduce an evil enemy of Santa, who is traditionally known to reward children who behave. Krampus took a broader scope by going after an entire family that lacked Christmas spirit. Instead of punishing them as the legend suggests, the creature used its strongest powers to transport them to hell. This action is considered extreme compared to most details in the Krampus mythology, proving that Dougherty was aiming for the bleakest fate for the family that came face-to-face with the Christmas devil.
Link Source : https://screenrant.com/krampus-2015-movie-monster-legend-how-accurate/