Directed by
Brett Sullivan
Made by
Image Entertainment
Discover the intricate plot of A Christmas Horror Story (2015). From unexpected twists to emotional highs and lows, this detailed summary breaks down every moment to give you a deeper understanding of the film’s story.
Dangerous Dan, portrayed by William Shatner, is a struggling alcoholic radio DJ working a lengthy shift at a small-town station, CTRM, located in Bailey Downs, Ontario on a chilly Christmas Eve. As he broadcasts, listeners are drawn into four chilling tales that unfold simultaneously:
First story:
Three teenagers, Dylan (Shannon Kook), Ben (Alex Ozerov), and Molly Simon (Zoé De Grand Maison), decide to infiltrate their school, previously a convent, to explore the site of two mysterious murders from the past year. Though their friend Caprice (Amy Forsyth) is meant to join, she is forced to leave with her parents on a trip. Once inside, the trio inadvertently locks themselves in the basement. Soon after, Molly becomes possessed by a haunting spirit and attempts to seduce the others. When Dylan declines her advances, she kills him in a fit of rage. Ben, however, gives in to her desires, and after their encounter, the ghost relinquishes control. Molly reveals that the spirit is that of a long-dead pregnant girl whose tragic story involves a brutal procedure inflicted by the convent’s nuns. The ghost seeks to have her child born, and failure to comply results in death—a motive behind last year’s grim incidents. Upon seeing Ben with a weapon, the ghost perceives him as a threat and kills him too, but ultimately unlocks the door, allowing Molly to escape.
Second story:
Scott (Adrian Holmes), a police officer involved in the previous year’s investigations, takes his family to illegally cut down a Christmas tree in the woods of “Big Earl” (Alan C. Peterson). Their joy is short-lived when Scott’s young son, Will (Orion John), strays and becomes lost. After a frantic search, they locate him coiled within a tree, only to discover that Will is not who he seems. Big Earl warns them that Will has been replaced by a changeling—an imitation of their son. After the changeling’s sinister nature is revealed, leading to Scott’s demise, Kim (Olunike Adeliyi) must confront this horror. Eventually, she kills Big Earl, who is revealed to be the changeling’s cruel master, and the original Will is freed, returning home with his mother.
Third story:
Meanwhile, Caprice and her younger brother Duncan (Percy Hynes White) are en route to visit their elderly Aunt Etta (Corrine Conley), accompanied by their quarrelsome and harsh parents. During their visit, Aunt Etta warns them of the terrifying legend of Krampus ([Rob Archer]), causing Caprice excessive fear when Duncan misbehaves to vex the aunt’s caretaker, Gerhardt ([Julian Richings]). After their parents insist they depart, a car crash forces the family to walk home, inadvertently drawing the attention of Krampus due to their past misdeeds. Seeking refuge in a church, they confess their wrongs in hopes of appeasing the creature, but one by one, they fall victim to Krampus until only Caprice stands. Ultimately, she manages to defeat Krampus, who transforms back into Gerhardt, revealing his fury stemmed from the family’s misconduct. In a final twist, Caprice’s anger leads her to morph into Krampus, claiming vengeance on Aunt Etta.
Fourth story:
In a surreal twist, Santa Claus (George Buza) at his North Pole castle faces a zombie apocalypse, as all his elves and wife Martha turn into zombies after one of them succumbs to rage. In the ensuing chaos, he battles against Krampus in the stables. However, it is later unveiled that this “Santa” is actually Norman, a mall Santa suffering from a psychotic break due to overwork, mistaking innocent mall customers for zombies during a chaotic Christmas event. This entire segment is a figment of Norman’s imagination. Just as the police arrive to intervene, they mistakenly shoot him while he is about to confront what he perceives to be Krampus, revealing this disturbing turn of events that Dangerous Dan has alluded to during his live broadcast.
Track the key events of A Christmas Horror Story (2015) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.
Dangerous Dan's Broadcast
On a chilly Christmas Eve, Dangerous Dan, a struggling alcoholic radio DJ, begins his lengthy shift at CTRM radio station in Bailey Downs, Ontario. As he broadcasts, he invites his listeners to listen in on eerie and thrilling tales that unfold simultaneously.
Teenagers Infiltrate the School
Three teenagers—Dylan, Ben, and Molly—decide to explore their school, which was formerly a convent, seeking answers about two mysterious murders from the past year. When their friend Caprice cannot join them, they break into the basement of the school, unaware that they are locking themselves into a nightmare.
Molly's Possession
Once trapped in the basement, Molly becomes possessed by a spirit that attempts to seduce Dylan and Ben. When Dylan rejects her, Molly's spirit-driven fury turns deadly, leading her to kill him in a frenzied rage, revealing the ghost's tragic backstory shortly after.
The Ghost's Motive
After the spirit releases its hold on Molly, she explains that the ghost is a pregnant girl whose brutal treatment by the convent's nuns led to her demise. She seeks the birth of her child, and failure to comply with her desires results in violent consequences, which explain the past murders.
Ben's Tragic Choice
Ben, succumbing to Molly's possessed charms, engages with her, temporarily appeasing the spirit. However, once the encounter concludes, the ghost perceives him as a threat and kills him, further cementing her deadly hold on the doomed teenagers.
The Changeling Incident
Officer Scott takes his family for an illicit Christmas tree hunt in the woods. After losing his son Will, they find him entwined in a tree, only to learn he has been replaced by a sinister changeling, which leads to catastrophic consequences for the family.
Confronting Big Earl
As the ominous nature of the changeling is revealed, tragic events unfold, leading to the demise of Scott. Kim, his wife, must face the horrific truth and ultimately confront Big Earl, the changeling's cruel master, in a terrifying showdown to rescue her son.
Caprice's Family Visit
Caprice and her brother Duncan are en route to visit their elderly Aunt Etta with their arguing parents. During this visit, Aunt Etta shares chilling tales of Krampus, which leaves Caprice terrified, especially as Duncan misbehaves to irritate their aunt's caretaker.
The family's Reckoning
Following a car crash, the family is forced to walk home, garnering the attention of the terrifying Krampus due to their past transgressions. Seeking shelter in a nearby church, they confess their wrongdoings in a desperate attempt to appease the creature.
Facing Krampus
One by one, the family members succumb to the wrath of Krampus, leaving only Caprice alive. In a twist of fate, she manages to defeat Krampus, only to be engulfed by anger herself, turning into the creature as she seeks vengeance on Aunt Etta.
Santa's Nightmare
In a bizarre twist, Santa Claus faces a chaotic zombie apocalypse at his North Pole castle as his elves and wife turn into zombies. Santa struggles against the horde, mistaking mall customers for the living dead due to the overwhelming stress of the holiday season.
The Encounter with Krampus
Amid the madness, Santa finds himself grappling with Krampus in the stables. The situation escalates, leading to a blend of fantasy and horror as the full extent of the apocalypse unfolds, leaving viewers in suspense.
Norman's Breakdown
It is eventually revealed that the 'Santa' is actually Norman, a mall Santa suffering a psychotic breakdown. He believes he is battling not just zombies but also Krampus, showcasing the depth of his disturbed mind.
The Police Intervention
As the police arrive to restore order, they misunderstand the situation and mistakenly shoot Norman while he confronts what he perceives to be Krampus. This shocking conclusion emphasizes the surreal blend of reality and hallucination in the climax of the tales.
Meet the characters that bring A Christmas Horror Story (2015) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.
Dangerous Dan (William Shatner)
Dangerous Dan is a struggling radio DJ grappling with his alcoholism and the pressures of a long shift on Christmas Eve. His character serves as a narrator, linking the chilling tales together while revealing his own vulnerabilities and the haunting atmosphere that surrounds him.
Molly Simon (Zoé De Grand Maison)
Molly is a curious teenager who inadvertently becomes the vessel for a haunting spirit. Her transformation from a typical high school student to a possessed figure showcases the destructive power of unresolved trauma and despair, culminating in tragic consequences for her and her friends.
Scott (Adrian Holmes)
Scott is a police officer whose attempt to enjoy a family outing quickly turns into a horror-filled nightmare. His desperate efforts to protect his family against a changeling reflect the themes of parental instincts clashing with the supernatural, resulting in dire outcomes.
Caprice (Amy Forsyth)
Caprice is a young girl caught in a web of family dysfunction and dark supernatural forces. Her journey highlights the tension between childhood innocence and the grim realities of adult misdeeds, culminating in her transformative encounter with Krampus.
Uncover the settings of A Christmas Horror Story (2015), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.
Time period
Christmas Eve
The movie unfolds on a chilling Christmas Eve, a time typically associated with joy and family gatherings. However, the night takes a sinister turn as various characters confront their fears and dark histories, turning the festive season into a nightmare filled with horror.
Location
Bailey Downs, Big Earl's Woods
Bailey Downs is a small town in Ontario, known for its chilly atmosphere and the eerie events that unfold during Christmas. Nearby, the woods of 'Big Earl' serve as an ominous backdrop, where families venture for holiday traditions, only to encounter dark secrets lurking within.
Explore the core themes of A Christmas Horror Story (2015). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.
👻
Supernatural Horror
The film explores themes of supernatural horror, where spirits and creatures from folklore come to life, causing chaos and mayhem. Each story delves into the past traumas of the characters, entwining their present with haunting forces that demand retribution and justice.
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Christmas Terror
Set against the backdrop of Christmas, the film inverses the holiday spirit, showcasing how merriment can quickly turn to dread. The juxtaposition of festive symbols with horrific events highlights the potential darkness lurking beneath seemingly joyful occasions.
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Revenge
Revenge is a prominent theme, manifesting in various forms across the stories. Characters confront their past misdeeds and, in some cases, take drastic measures to settle scores, illustrating how unresolved issues can lead to devastating consequences.
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