Santa Isn’t Real (2023) – Movie Review/Summary

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In this Santa Claus horror film, you get blood, literal guts, and the type of scenes that aren’t noteworthy until they get particularly gruesome.

Please Note: The content below contains pertinent spoilers but isn’t an exhaustive summary. Also, certain characters might be omitted to avoid unnecessary spoilers or due to lack of impact.

Read our Editorial Guidelines regarding how posts are written and rated and our use of affiliate links.

 

General Information

Director(s)	Zac Locke
Screenplay By	Zac Locke
Based On Work By	Mikey Bill Taylor
Date Released	December 8, 2023
How To Watch	Video On Demand
Genre(s)	Fantasy Horror Young Adult
Film Length	1 Hour 15 Minutes
Content Rating	Not Rated
Noted Characters and Cast
Nikki	Kaya Coleman
Jess	Scarlett Sperduto
MJ	Cissy Ly
Nathan	Trey Anderson

Content Rating Explanation

• Dialog: Some Cursing
• Violence: Gore, Blood, Graphic Murder
• Sexual Content: Sexual Situations, But No Nudity
• Miscellaneous: Drinking

Film Summary

For reasons unknown, Nikki is attacked by Santa Claus one year and ends up in a coma due to blood loss and a concussion. A year later, she awakens and tags along with her best friend Jess, boyfriend Nathan, and mutual friend MJ for Christmas, and at a cabin in the mountain, deep in the woods, Santa Claus again comes for Nikki and also sets their eyes on her friends.

Why? Well, because more of them were being naughty than nice.

Character Descriptions

Nikki

At one time, Nikki played the role of the girl to be envious of. Black and Icelandic, with a jock boyfriend, while she had some private struggles, she was that girl.

Jess

Jess is Nikki’s best friend.

Nathan

Nathan is Nikki’s boyfriend, who gave her the nickname “Penguin.”

MJ

MJ is the polyamorous friend of the group.

Other Noteworthy Information

1. If you want to feel old, Nathan questions how to use a landline in the film.

Review

Our Rating: Mixed (Divisive)

Notable Performances or Moments

The Rare Moment Of Leaving Your Mouth Gaping Wide

Most of “Santa Isn’t Real” delivers what you expect in showing people stabbed, slit open, and the type of visual effects common in the horror genre. However, there is one moment when Santa kills someone that is shocking. I’m talking about either making your face contort or your mouth gaping wide type of shocking and as someone who is a moderate fan of gore, let me tell you that doesn’t happen often.

On The Fence

The Drama And Campiness

With Nikki in a coma for a year and many thinking she won’t survive, naturally, power dynamics shift, and people begin to move on. This causes issues that don’t feel pushed to be taken seriously because of the film’s tone.

On paper, you know certain people doing what they are doing is an issue. However, in some performances, whether addressing personal issues or due to how Santa is performed, it’s hard to decipher whether the performances have a tinge of camp to make things comical or if there were just acting choices that were disagreeable.

The Ending

I’ll just say this, Santa Claus is the villain of “Santa Isn’t Real,” but the way the film ends pushes that there is the potential for a sequel. One that isn’t warranted.

Also Worth Mentioning

• Its short run time doesn’t save the film but gives you less to complain about.

Who Is This For?

Those who like slasher movies.

Recommendations

If you like this movie, we recommend:

1. Winnie The Pooh: Blood and Honey

Check out our movies page for our latest movie reviews and recommendations.

Discussion Items

Let us know your thoughts in the comments:

1. What’s the most gruesome kill you’ve seen in a movie?

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