This is a Christmas cult classic.
Notable for being the film that did the Home Alone thing the year before Home Alone was released.
In fact, it's really hard to believe that this film didn't influence the blockbuster hit...because it's really quite similar...yet, much more violent.
In it, a young phenom, named Thomas, is the son of the heir to a toymaker's fortune.
He's a bit of a computer wizard...having personally designed his own apple watch like thing...with full internet of things capability...in 19-frigging-89.
Oh, and he lives in a castle.
While only 11 years old, Thomas has above average intelligence, but he still believes in Santa.
His mother is always working, so Thomas is left to play and tinker around with his grandfather- who is diabetic and starting to go blind.
To prove his friend Pilon wrong, Thomas plans to capture Santa in one of the booby traps he has set up in his home- which is filled with secret doors, hidden rooms, and even a labyrinth.
But his mom tells him, that if he waits up for Santa...Santa will turn into an ogre and try to attack him.
Ignorant to the fact that one of her Santa employees has gone postal, after being rejected by a little girl, who he was trying to make smile.
This man wants revenge, so- after overhearing a conversation in the shipping department- he decides that he might as well take the oppourtunity to take it out on his boss...by tormenting her family.
When he gets to their house...he immediately kills their dog...right in front of young Thomas' eyes.
But Thomas has been training for this his whole life...and knows exactly what to do.
He protects his vulnerable grandpa..and manages to make it out of every close call...though not always unscathed.
As the rest of the people at his house get murdered by this psychotic Santa.
What ensues is a battle of perseverance, wit, and, perhaps, a little bit of luck.
The whole thing is way more heavy than Home Alone.
Being what Home Alone would have been if it were to have been made as a slasher film.
With a weird blend of children's horror and mildly gory slasher action.
That makes it one helluva cult gem.
7 out of 10.
