Violet Night is directed by Tommy Wirkola ("The Trip," "Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters") and stars David Harbor as Santa Claus. The film opens with Santa Claus, who's currently fed up with Christmas and is taking a break from delivering presents by chugging a few beers at a Bristol pub on Christmas Eve. Santa has grown a little cynical over the centuries and is disgusted that all kids want for Christmas are video games and money. He feels they have become increasingly materialistic and unaware that he exists. Drunk and disappointed, he flies off with his reindeer and sleigh, and this version of Santa leans over his sleigh to vomit.

The central story takes place In Greenwich, Connecticut, where we follow Jason Lightstone (Alex Hassell), his estranged wife Linda Matthews (Alexis Louder), and their daughter Trudy. Jason is visiting his mother Gertrude's (Beverly D'Angelo) mansion to celebrate Christmas with his alcoholic sister Alva (Edi Patterson), her new boyfriend and wannabe-action movie star Morgan Steel (Cam Gigandet), and Alva's online streamer son Bertrude; yes, with a B (Alexander Elliot). After failing to get his daughter a present, Jason finds an old walkie-talkie for Trudy to "talk to Santa," – which heavily comes into play later.

Santa is out drunkenly delivering gifts and arrives at the Lightstone estate, where the caterers turn out to be mercenaries with Christmas-themed codenames. Led by "Mr. Scrooge" (John Leguizamo) the group of villains murder the staff and take the family hostage. One of the henchmen discovers Santa, shoots at him, and scares the reindeer away, leaving Santa stranded at the estate. Showing his true colors, Santa decides to save Trudy and her family from the bad guys, who are demanding $300 million in cash from the mansion's vault. In an all-out brawl, Santa kills a few henchmen, finds a radio, and stumbles across Trudy's channel. Leading the duo to pick off the bad guys one by one to save Christmas.

So, let's get the obvious out of the way, "Die Hard" and "Home Alone" are immense inspirations for this film, and the filmmakers aren't shy about acknowledging it. At one point, Santa reaches into his bag and pulls out a copy of "Die Hard" on Blu-ray. Plus, like in "Die Hard," there's a vault in the house filled with potential money, a bunch of hostages, and one unexpected guy taking them out one by one. It just so happens to be Santa Claus. And we can't forget about the walkie-talkies. An entire sequence pays homage to "Home Alone" showing what the R-rated version would be.

David Harbour as Santa Claus is one of those perfect castings. He's so likable in the film as a disheveled drunk Santa, but he's so sweet at his core. His arc is what makes you care about him. Trudy desperately believes in Santa Claus and inspires him to protect her from the bad guys even though the family that's being held hostage is kind of awful.

A majority of the movie is filled with over-the-top villains leaving a few characters you care about. This might be the biggest issue I had at first because I was wondering whose side I was supposed to be on. Besides Santa Claus and this little girl, almost everyone in this family that's taken hostage is so egocentric that it's difficult to muster any feelings for them or worry about their safety.

A satisfying moment in the film is when they briefly explore Santa's backstory. They do it with quick flashbacks of where Santa may have been at some point, adding a layer of emotional weight that I did not expect. He's been alive for over a thousand years, making you question whether he can be killed. At some point in the movie, he bleeds and has to sew up the wound. This makes you question that he can't die, right? Is he mortal? Santa needs a weakness or something that the film never really provides.

If you overthink the movie, you'll start to ask too many questions. Instead, you should enjoy David Harbour wreaking havoc with a sledgehammer while John Leguizamo chews the scenery. This movie shines when it leans into exactly what it is, "Die Hard," substituted with Santa Claus. This Saint Nick isn't so jolly as he kills people in new inventive ways involving a sledgehammer, ice picks, icicles, and a star on the top of a Christmas tree.

I found "Violent Night" exciting, witty, and surprisingly heartfelt. I didn't expect myself to be wrapped up in the emotions of this little girl who just wanted to believe in something. And the film had a real genuine Christmas spirit and heart at its bloody core.

4/5 Stars