Violent Night (2022)

Film and Plot Synopsis

When a team of mercenaries breaks into a wealthy family compound on Christmas Eve, taking everyone inside hostage, the team isn’t prepared for a surprise combatant: Santa Claus is on the grounds, and he’s about to show why this Nick is no saint. (Courtesy of Universal Pictures)

‘Violent Night’ Movie Summary

The film begins with Santa Claus (David Harbour) drinking in a bar and complaining about Christmas to the other patrons. After finishing several drinks, Santa heads to the door that leads to the roof. The bartender, believing that a drunk has mistakenly gone to the wrong door, follows Santa up to the roof. Once there, the bartender sees Santa take off in his sleigh pulled by eight reindeer. The bartender stares in amazement into the sky just as the drunk Santa vomits over the side of his sleigh and onto the face of the bartender.

Meanwhile in Greenwich, Connecticut, Jason Lightstone (Alex Hassell) takes his estranged wife Linda (Alexis Louder) and their daughter Trudy (Leah Brady) to Jason’s mother’s annual Christmas gathering. Jason’s mother, Gertrude Lightstone (Beverly D’Angelo), is one of the wealthiest and most ruthless businesspeople in the country. Jason and Linda overhear Trudy make a wish to Santa for family unity through an old walkie-talkie that Jason gave her. The family get together is also attended by Jason’ sister Alva (Edi Patterson), Alva’s boyfriend and “C” list actor Morgan Steel (Cam Gigandet), and their spoiled son Bert (Alexander Elliot), who perceives himself as social media influencer. Gertrude has disdain for all of her family members as they all attempt to ingratiate themselves to her for the reward of her money. All except Jason, who seems to want to celebrate with his family.

Santa arrives at Gertrude’s mansion while the family gathering is going on. Unbeknownst to Santa and the Lightstones, a group of mercenaries, led by the devious “Mr. Scrooge” (John Leguizamo), infiltrates the party by posing as the caterers. The mercenaries take the entire family hostage and kill any staff that are still present in the mansion. One of the mercenaries, Tinsel (Phong Giang), discovers Santa in the mansion and tries to kill the jolly one. The gunshots scare off the reindeer on the roof which strands Santa in the mansion. Santa survives the attack and knocks Tinsel out of a second story window. The mercenary is killed by being impaled on an icicle.

Unaware of Tinsel’s death, Scrooge tells the entire Lightstone family that he is there to steal $300 million in cash that Gertrude stole from the federal government and hid in a vault in the mansion. He threatens to kill the entire family if he does not get what he wants. At the same time, Santa kills another mercenary named Frosty (Can Aydin) and takes his radio. Santa accidentally stumbles upon Trudy broadcasting from the main living room. He tells her that he is going to help her. Santa looks up all the mercenaries and discovers that each of them is on his naughty list. Scrooge eventually discovers that Trudy has been talking to Santa, believing that Santa is just another security guard. To protect Trudy, Jason tells his daughter that there is no Santa Claus which upsets Trudy. A distraught Trudy runs past the kidnappers and safely hides in the attic of the mansion. Santa once again promises her that he will save her and reveals a little about his ancient Viking past, including the name of his Warhammer “Skullcrusher.”

Eventually Santa is captured by Scrooge’s henchmen, Gingerbread (André Eriksen) and Candy Cane (Mitra Suri). Scrooge tries to question Santa and does not believe that he is the real Kris Kringle, although Santa convinces Gingerbread and Candy Cane of his true identity. Scrooge has Santa’s magic sack burned in the fireplace which prohibits Santa from delivering toys to the good boys and girls of the world. Scrooge decides to kill Santa, but Santa uses his magic to escape through the chimney. Scrooge is prohibited from pursuing Santa due to the arrival of Gertrude’s “kill squad” led by Commander Thorp (Mike Dopud). Gertrude activated the squad when the terrorists first took over the house. Morgan uses their arrival to leap out a window and run to the safety of the kill squad. Unbeknownst to Morgan and the entire Lightstone family, the squad has already switched sides and is collaborating with Scrooge to acquire the money. The squad kills Morgan.

Don’t shit in my mouth and tell me it’s chocolate cake! Gertrude Lightstone (Beverly D’Angelo)

Scrooge’s safecracker finally breaks into Gertrude’s vault and finds it empty. Upset, Scrooge threatens to kill Linda unless someone reveals the location of the money. Jason admits that he stole the money with the plan to flee the country with his intact family. Jason reveals that he hid the money in an outdoor nativity where the squad finds it. Gertrude is pleased with her son and forgives him for his theft, revealing that it is a Lightstone family rite of passage. Surprisingly, she names Jason as her heir.

At the same time, the kill squad moves in on Santa who is hiding in a game room. Santa finds a sledgehammer and uses it to kill the entire kill squad. Meanwhile, Gingerbread and Candy Cane discover that Trudy is hiding in the attic and attempt to capture her. However, Trudy has set up several Home Alone inspired bobby traps that successfully kill Gingerbread. A seriously injured Candy Cane prepares to kill Trudy until Santa arrives and saves her. Scrooge orders Krampus (Brendan Fletcher) to kill the remaining hostages, but Alva, Linda, and Bert pummel Krampus to death.

Scrooge and Thorp escape into the woods on snow mobiles with Gertrude and the money. Santa chases after them. Back at the mansion, Linda kills another hostage named Jingle (Finn McCager Higgins) before reuniting with Jason. The couple kiss just as Trudy sees them. The young child believes that she just got her Christmas wish from Santa. At the same time, Santa catches Scrooge and the two men fight in a cabin. Scrooge realizes that Santa is indeed real, and vows to kill Saint Nick due to all the misery Christmas has caused in Scrooge’s life. Santa is gravely wounded but he manages to grab Scrooge and use his magical powers to fly up the chimney. The trip though the chimney for the non-magical Scrooge is fatal and mangles his body.

Thorp arrives and shoots Santa, but Thorp is killed by Gertrude immediately afterwards. Santa lies dying, and the Lightstone family begins burning the money to keep Santa warm. Despite their efforts, Santa dies. Trudy rallies her family to each state that they believe in Santa Claus. The Christmas Spirit she inspires revives the dead Santa. The once jaded Santa finds new inspiration in the evening’s struggles. Santa’s reindeer return with his back-up gift sack and a note from Mrs. Claus. Santa bids Trudy and the Lightstones farewell and continues on with his night of gift delivering.

In a mid-credits scene, Bert vlogs next to a dead mercenary, telling his viewers that Santa Claus is real and that they better watch out.