[Yuletide Terrors] Day 5: SAINT NICK

Throughout the month of December, we will be highlighting a film a day that has some tie into the holiday somehow. Some titles will be obvious, others won’t be. Some films will be good and, again, others won’t be. However, we think all titles are worth your time whether to give you chills inside your home or to make you drink more eggnog until you puke laughing.

The myth of Santa Claus can be traced to the Netherlands legend of Saint Nicholas. But in this film Saint Nicholas doesn’t bring presents. He was a bishop killed by the villagers that he tormented. And every full moon on the 5th of December he rises from the grave to take his revenge. But that was in the 10th century, and now the tale is told as a bedtime story. But this year Amsterdam better keep their doors locked. Saint Nick has returned and no one is safe. It’s up to a local teen Frank and ex-cop Goert to stop “Sinterklaas” once and for all.

Released in the US back in 2011 I wasn’t aware of Saint Nick or Sint, until last year. I thought it would be fun to compare to Santa’s Slay since they both cover similar territory. While the Goldberg Claus flick wanted you to laugh like a bowl full of jelly, this “Sinterklaas” will motivate you to replace the chimney with  a gas fireplace. Riding a pale horse and brandishing a staff designed for maiming and removing heads from necks, he’s not your average zombie. The gore is definitely ratcheted up. Impalement, dismemberment, and arterial sprays? Check. Check. And check.

Being a Dutch film, directed by Dick Maas (The Lift), there is a lot about the traditions of Christmas I didn’t know. I know that Saint Nick leaves presents for children in their shoes. The writing of poems for each person you buy a present for, and instead of a sleigh Saint Nick rides in on a boat. And perhaps the most confusing is that or Zwarte Piet or simply Black Pete. Piet is a Moor from Spain. And he is a sort of jester, meant to entertain kids in anticipation of Saint Nick. A hype man if you will. But when people dress up as him it is in Renaissance Pageboy attire and black face with red lips. I realize this is part of culture I know little about, but it’s still awkward. There a dozens of Black Petes murdering children in the movie. But they are demons, not white people. I looked up the character and he has come under fire in recent years and for good reason.

I already have a  list of Christmas horror I watch every year. And I think Saint Nick will find his way into the lineup. It’s a good alternative to the goofiness of Santa’s Slay. Being the 5th of December you should watch it tonight. Don’t worry, the full moon is on the 6th. But I’m not sure if he knows that.