‘Have yourself a scary little Christmas’
Santa Isn’t Real is a 2023 American horror slasher film about a young woman who is seemingly attacked by Father Christmas himself.
Written, directed and co-produced by Zac Locke (Decibel; producer of Frogman; #float; The Voyeurs; The Wind; Black Christmas 2019). Also produced by Justin Anderson, Jordan Michaud-Scorza and Mikey Bill Taylor. Executive produced by Nate Bolotin, Bryan Carmel, James Emanuel Shapiro and Matt Wise.
The Rotting Press-The Straits production stars Scarlett Sperduto (Those Who Walk Away;#float), Dana Millican, Kaya Coleman (#float; The Sinners), Michelle Damis, Cissy Ly, David Mitchum Brown, William Earl Ray and Trey Anderson.
Plot:
After suffering a brutal attack on Christmas eve, a young woman, Nikki (Kaya Coleman), struggles to convince her friends that the assailant was none other than kindly old Santa Claus.
When Santa returns to terrorise the group in their remote cabin the following Yuletide, Nikki and her friends must overcome disbelief as they fight to stay alive…
Reviews:
“Don’t go in expecting a bloodbath, as that’s not what you’ll receive here. Instead what is offered is a suspenseful film that requires perseverance to fully appreciate. Zac Locke’s Santa Isn’t Real is an impactful holiday horror that exchanges out the traditional cheer of the holiday spirit for the terror hidden within.” Cinefied
“Some performances are stronger than others, some of the effects work doesn’t quite land, and there are some pacing issues in the third act […] Santa Isn’t Real offers up reliable snowbound thrills with some striking imagery, a chilling Christmas score, and one creepy Santa.” Dread Central
“Bringing absolutely nothing new to the table, Santa Isn’t Real wraps itself up in a garland of slasher tropes and presents one of the most predictable and trite films I’ve seen in quite a while. Bad writing and suspect spatial awareness are more than enough to pull you out of the proceedings (which might be a good thing).” The Good, The Bad and the Verdict
Release:
In the US, Santa Isn’t Real will be released theatrically in Los Angeles and on VOD and Digital by XYZ Films on December 8, 2023.
Trailer:
Cast and characters:
Scarlett Sperduto … Jess
Dana Millican … Doctor
Kaya Coleman … Nikki
Michelle Damis … Mom
Cissy Ly … MJ
David Mitchum Brown … Reverend
William Earl Ray … Sheriff Ray
Trey Anderson … Nathan
Related:
#SantaIsn’tReal #ScarlettSperduto #DanaMillican #KayaColeman #ZacLocke #ChristmasHorror #SlasherHorror #NewHorror #HolidaysHorror
