Well, here we are in the thick of the holiday season, and we’ve got a little advice for you: be careful what you wish for. If you’re feeling fed up with the chaos, greed, toxic family events and forced cheer of this time of year, you’re not alone. The holidays, especially after this long, frustrating year, feel heavier than ever. So, what better way to vent that holiday angst than to sit back, grab some eggnog (or something stronger), and watch Krampus (2015), a horror-comedy that is as ridiculous as it sounds!

Krampus is a film serving up a darkly hilarious cautionary tale about family dysfunction, and consumerism. It’s a little bit Gremlins, a little bit National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, and 100% the holiday horror camp fest. Before we dive in, a few trigger warnings, Krampus features intense scenes of horror, violence, and holiday-themed mayhem. There’s family dysfunction, creepy toys, Krampus himself, and gingerbread men that are both creepy and amusing. It also tackles themes of disillusionment, and broken and toxic family bonds. Please be mindful, be aware and proceed with care.

We will try to avoid spoilers, but please be aware that there will likely be some in this review, so please read cautiously. So, let’s string up the lights, light the fireplace, (Keep that fire roaring!) and unwrap this festive nightmare together!

Let’s begin!

The film kicks off with an opening montage that perfectly sets the tone: Black Friday shoppers trampling over each other, screaming, and fighting for cheap goods as Bing Crosby croons “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas.” It’s both hilarious and horrifying—a not-so-subtle jab at how far we’ve drifted from the “joy” of the season. Sound familiar? Yeah, it is very on the nose but so was the film “Thanksgiving”!

We meet young Max (Emjay Anthony), a boy who still holds onto the magic of Christmas. We see Max rolling on the floor fighting with another kid at some kind of Christmas recital. Despite his spat with another kid, Max is a fairly sweet kid and he just wants a happy holiday, but his family? Not so much. His parents, Tom, Dad, (Adam Scott) and Sarah, Mom, (Toni Collette), are barely holding it together, while his sister Beth (Stefania LaVie Owen) is glued to her phone and full of teen angst. Grandma, Omi (Krista Stadler), is patient, attentive, and kind to Max but the rest of the family…well therapy is truly for all and we highly recommend it.

And then the extended family arrives…oooof…cue the chaos. Sarah’s sister Linda (Allison Tolman) brings her loud, obnoxious kids, including their rather feral daughters, and her husband Howard (David Koechner), whose entire personality is yelling about guns, football and beer. It’s the kind of family gathering we all dread and yet are all too familiar with: full of passive-aggressive to overtly aggressive comments, judgment, angst, eye rolls, and awkward small talk over dry turkey.

Tensions boil over when Max’s cousins find his heartfelt letter to Santa and read it out loud at the dinner table. Max of course reacts and it does not go well. It’s a brutal moment. Max states loudly, “I hate Christmas! I hate all of you!” Max runs to his room to try to calm down. Aunt Dorothy sees the truth, which we potatoes always appreciate, “Oh, lay off of him. Kid deserves a prize just for telling the truth.” His Dad follows, and they have a very cringe worthy, and unhelpful conversation.

Dad leans in the doorway, “Can I come in?” Max is not interested, “No.”

Dad hangs in the doorway. “You know, they’re leaving right after Christmas, so we only have to survive another…three days.”

Max is fed up, “I don’t get it! Every year is gets worse. Why do we have to put up with their crap just because we share DNA?”

Dad comes into the room closing the door behind him and sitting down on Max’s bed. “Because that’s what a family is, Max. People you try to be friends with even though you don’t have a whole lot in common.” We potatoes have the same questions as Max…“Why?”

Max is exasperated, understandably so, “But why?” Dad, “Because…well…okay you kind of got me there…Or maybe it makes us work a little harder to find what we do have in common, you know. Put everything aside, think of other people for a change. Friends, family, even the assholes you normally can’t stand.”

Again…What? While we potatoes do agree that it is important that we give people grace where we can, to think of others, to be willing to hear other points of view and have a thorough understanding of nuance…this is not what we are talking about here. These people are dysfunctional. Blood relation does not make any of the poor behavior displayed by this family okay and Max recognizes this. We agree with Max, and we feel his questions are not only extremely valid, but are far more open, and honest than his Dad’s generic, and lackluster responses.

Max sighs, “Like Uncle Howard?” “Didn’t want to name names” Max turns more fully towards his Dad, “Dad, do you really believe in all that?”

“I want to Max. But hey, bet there’s still time to drop that letter in the mailbox, huh?”

Dad then leaves the room…but Max is humiliated, his hope shattered, and in a fit of anger, he tears up his letter and throws it out the window. Fair Max, very fair, but also apparently a big mistake. BIG. MISTAKE.

Suddenly! A freak blizzard rolls in, plunging the neighborhood into darkness and isolating the family from the outside world. The power’s out, the phones are dead, and something very, very wrong is lurking outside. Beth goes to check on her boyfriend (a terrible decision) and quickly realizes she’s not alone. She’s hunted by something large, shadowy, and stomping loudly and aggressively from rooftop to rooftop.

Wrapping things up so as to avoid too many spoilers! Enter Krampus! The horned, Norse deity who punishes those who lose their Christmas spirit, (What?) and he’s not alone! Soon, the family finds themselves under siege by an army of evil Christmas creatures: murderous gingerbread men, demonic toys, creepy elves, and even a carnivorous jack-in-the-box. It’s like Santa’s workshop turned into a horror show, and we potatoes were puzzled, and greatly amused at the same time.

While Krampus delivers on its campy scares and absurd holiday horror, we have to say…it takes significant creative liberties with the folklore of Krampus. In Alpine mythology, Krampus is more of a disciplinarian figure. He is a Norse deity that is actually older than the concept and creation of St. Nicholas/Santa Claus. He’s traditionally depicted with chains, horns, and a switch for punishment, not as the apocalyptic harbinger of doom portrayed in the film! By turning Krampus into a full-blown horror monster with evil minions and a vendetta against an ungrateful family…well let’s just say that the movie leans heavily into spectacle at the cost of accuracy. While the film is undeniably entertaining, it’s worth noting how much it exaggerates and distorts the original folklore to fit its narrative. Which we potatoes, have mixed feelings on.

Setting this aside, one of the highlights of the film is its fun mix of horror and dark comedy! Krampus leans fully into its campy premise. The creatures are ridiculous, yes, but they’re also genuinely unsettling. Watching a gingerbread man giggle while wielding a nail gun was hilarious and intimidating. And when a giant jack-in-the-box swallows a kid whole? Absurd and disgusting!

The performances by the cast are truly great! Toni Collette and Adam Scott do a fantastic job playing stressed-out parents trying to hold it together, while David Koechner brings just the right amount of macho ludicrousness to Howard. But the real star is Aunt Dorothy (Conchata Ferrell), we potatoes love her! She is a riot! Then, of course, there is Krampus himself. Cloaked in shadows and looming like a nightmare, he’s the perfect blend of practical effects and CGI. The special effects in this film are incredibly well done overall!

While we did enjoy this film, there were some issues for us potatoes. Krampus attempts to be a cautionary tale about the dangers of losing sight of what the holidays are truly about. The film tackles themes like consumerism, greed, but focuses mostly on family dysfunction, all wrapped up in a hefty dose of guilt. The central message seems to be that if you stop believing, if you’re not grateful enough for your family—no matter how toxic— Krampus is going to show up to make you pay. This repetitive holiday narrative feels outdated, tone-deaf, and, frankly, somewhat problematic.

Let us potatoes be very clear: you do not owe anyone unending gratitude or unconditional forgiveness simply because they’re family. The idea that we must endure poor treatment, neglect, dysfunction, or outright toxicity during the holidays because “it’s family” is a message we potatoes have seen in way too many Christmas movies. It’s a harmful narrative that can leave people feeling guilted, gaslighted, and shamed into compliance.

Max, the young protagonist of Krampus, had every right to ask “why”—why he should tolerate the dysfunction and self-absorption surrounding him, and why he should hold on to a “spirit” of hope when it feels like no one else in his family is trying. And you know what? So do we all.

Family can be wonderful! It can be a source of strength, love, and connection—but it isn’t always. For many, the holidays are a painful reminder of strained relationships, unfulfilled expectations, or outright harm. We find that films like Krampus often lean into the idea that “family is everything” without acknowledging the complexities and boundaries necessary for healthy relationships. They glorify enduring dysfunction for the sake of unity and dishonest harmony while ignoring the harm that these conditions can cause.

The truth is, gratitude should never be forced or coerced. Healthy families don’t demand blind loyalty, obedience or gratitude in exchange for love. They respect boundaries, foster communication, and take accountability for their actions. If the holidays have taught us anything, it’s that chosen families—whether made up of friends, partners, pets, or even just yourself—can be just as meaningful, if not more so, than the ones we’re born into.

It’s time for holiday media to retire the tired trope of “Family is everything…no matter what,” especially since it rarely explores the concept with diversity, nuance, or expansion. Instead, let’s focus on narratives that celebrate healthy relationships, mutual respect, and the beauty of connection. Families can take countless forms, and the true spirit of the holidays isn’t about sacrificing your peace and well-being for toxic relationships—it’s about finding joy, gratitude, and love in the way that works best for you.

We don’t have to buy into the pressure, the chaos, or the toxic expectations of the holiday season. We don’t have to let the system—or the push to fake joy—rob us of our holidays. We potatoes have said this before and we will keep on saying it! It’s ok to do what is best for you. It is crucial to set boundaries, especially with family. If holiday gatherings cause more harm than good, it’s okay to opt out.

So, while Krampus does a great job of blending horror and humor, its underlying message misses the mark. We potatoes firmly reject the notion that enduring toxic family dynamics is a requirement for the holidays. The season should be about nurturing connections that lift you up, not ones that tear you down.

Think of it this way…if the family in Krampus had decided to celebrate the holiday at their own homes…would any of it have happened? Would they have all had a pleasant holiday without the chaos, drama, and general dysfunction? Would they all have had a safer holiday had they spent it in their own spaces and in their own ways? Something to think about!

We potatoes snickered, we winced, and we were grossed out a few times! Krampus is a chaotic, spooky holiday ride that delivers horror, and humor. We like it! We recommend this film if you are someone that enjoys holiday horror, nonsense, camp, and absurdity! It’s the perfect antidote for anyone who’s had enough of forced holiday cheer and is looking for a little catharsis.

At its core, Krampus is a dark reminder that the holidays are what we make of them. We can let the stress and chaos consume us, or we can reclaim the season, carve out moments of joy, connection, and gratitude in the manner that works best for us as individuals.

So, pour yourself some peppermint schnapps and give Krampus a watch! Just don’t forget to keep the holiday “spirit” alive and that fireplace hot… or Krampus might come knocking. Cheers to surviving the season with our sanity, well-being and peace intact! And as always, cheers to you!

We give this movie 3 Peppermint Schnapps out of 5!

The Krampus Drinking Game

Take a sip anytime:

1.     Anyone says “Krampus”

2.     Anyone says “Christmas”

3.     You hear a Christmas Carol or Christmas music

4.     Max is bullied

5.     Omi does or says something creepy/ominous

6.     Omi speaks German

7.     A toy comes to life

8.     There's a snowman on screen

9.     Aunt Dorothy says something shitty or funny

10.  The family bickers

11.  Uncle Howard talks about or mentions guns

12.  Krampus is on screen

13. Anyone gets kidnapped, attacked, or killed

What did you think? Did you like the movie? Did you hate it? What movies should we watch? Any and all thoughts are welcome! Let us know here in the comments and always remember to be safe and drink responsibly!