In the very first shots of Krampus, we are treated to a slow-mo montage of everything that’s wrong about the holidays: crowded stores, rioting customers, poor defenseless, trampled employees. It’s humanity’s disgusting habits on display during what should be the most joyful and spirited season of the year. On these grounds alone, it’s no wonder young Max loses his holiday spirit and accidentally unleashes an ancient demonic spirit looking to punish those who have abandoned hope and faith. (Oops.)

When we first meet Max’s family, his mom (Toni Collette), dad (Adam Scott) and sister are awaiting the arrival of their hard-to-stomach family, including Sarah’s sister, her husband (the predictably boring David Koechner) and sarcastic, imbibing Aunt Dorothy (Conchata Ferrell). Everyone is minding their manners and baby-stepping around the herd of obnoxious cousins in tow until Max hits a breaking point and rips up his letter to Santa, opening the window and tossing it into the wind. Once the boy’s holiday spirit exits, the hoofed and horned anti-Santa Krampus enters, along with a blizzard-induced power outage and his misfit gang of demonic toy bears, gingerbread men, and more, like a realized version of Jack Skellington’s Christmas “presents.” As family members continue to drop in the most ridiculous ways possible, Max finds there’s a lesson in all of the madness after all, as he tries desperately to make everything right again.

Although Koechner and Ferrell can grow tiresome, the ensemble cast works well. Collette and Fargo‘s Allison Tolman play a pair of sisters with differences, but add a lot of love to their families and the film. Emjay Anthony (aka the kid from Chef) adds heaps of heart as Max, the movie’s anchor. His expressive eyes carry lots of weight for being such a youngster in the biz.

Writer/director Michael Dougherty once again nails the fine line between comedic and terrifying…and between CGI and practical effects. Krampus is a gorgeously shot fairytale gone wrong for horror fans who love campy fun and creature-features like Gremlins and Ghoulies. Dougherty has now masterfully done for Christmas what he did for Halloween in 2009’s Trick r’ Treat. He notes our collective holiday gripes while simultaneously tugging on our feelings of nostalgia, using clever, creative and creepy ways to subvert tropes. Once again, Dougherty’s style and story are widely original and oh-so welcomed. On its surface, Krampus can certainly be enjoyed as an irreverent romp, but the true message – of never giving up hope and keeping the faith – rings loud and true.

If you’re one to “bah humbug” your way through December, or even if you’re a Christmas fan with a slightly demented sense of humor, Krampus is worth your time.

Grade: B+