Deadly Games (1989)

On Christmas Eve, a resourceful young boy has to defend himself and his grandfather from a killer dressed as Santa Claus.

Director:

René Manzor

Writer:

René Manzor (scenario and dialogue)

Stars:

Brigitte Fossey, Louis Ducreux, Patrick Floersheim

2 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Brigitte Fossey	...	Julie
Louis Ducreux	...	Papy
Patrick Floersheim	...	Le Père Noël / Santa Claus
Alain Lalanne	...	Thomas (as Alain Musy)
François-Eric Gendron	...	Roland (as François Eric Gendron)
Stéphane Legros	...	Pilou
Franck Capillery	...	Le policier
Nicole Raucher	...	La cuisinière
Gédéon	...	Le jardinier
Charles de Feral	...	Cadre du Printemps
Marion Bureau	...	La petite fille
Mousse	...	Le clown
Edmond Thanel	...	Chauffeur-livreur
René Manzor	...	Responsable stock
Canaillou	...	Le chien J.R.

Storyline

Thomas, a very intelligent and resourceful child, is left alone with his beloved and fragile granddad on Christmas Eve, when a psychopath dressed as Santa Claus breaks into their mansion and starts chasing them. Thomas will do whatever he can to save himself and his granddad.

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Plot Keywords:

christmas eve | criminal dresses as santa claus | christmas | santa claus | killing a dog | 

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Genres:

Action | Horror | Thriller

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Connections

Referenced in Best of the Worst: Our DVD and Blu-ray Collection (2019)

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Soundtracks

Midnight Special
Written by John Fogerty
Performed by Creedence Clearwater Revival

User Reviews

You killed my dog and even though you're Santa Claus, i swear you're gonna be scared.

And we used to think only John Wick got angry after they killed his dog. Wait till u bump into lil Thomas.

I first saw this in the early 90s on a vhs. Revisited it recently with my 7 year ol nephew since he wanted to meet a Santa n my wife didn't allow me to take him to the malls due to Covid. I thot why not scare the idea of meeting Santa for time being.

This film inspired many films. Home Alone, The Aggression Scale n the latest Becky.

Many fellas r unnecessary comparing it with Home Alone. This movie came before Home Alone. And jus because it has a Christmas theme, many fellas r associating Die Hard with this film.

In fact, Tales from the Crypt s1e2, All thru the House fits the similarities.

Coming back to this film - A mentally unstable bum with a penchant for playing with kids gets a job as a Santa at a department store but is fired from it after the manager witnesses him slap a child who had accused him of not being the real Santa. The bum hitches a ride to the manager's home in the back of a delivery van n kills the driver upon reaching the secluded and high-tech mansion wher only the manager's diabetic and partially blind father, a pet dog n the manager's 10 year old kid is present. The bicycle scene gave me chills when i first saw this as a teen. The film has a very serious n gloomy tone. A kid at peril still scares me.

The film has lovely cinematography n proper feel of a holiday season.

A minor goof which my 7 year old nephew pointed out while we were watching last night. When the killer attacks the car in the garage, the kid is shown exiting n running but my nephew asked me how was the grandpop able to exit out.

Details

Country:

France

Language:

French

Release Date:

2 December 2019 (USA)

Also Known As:

Game Over

Company Credits

Production Co:

L.M. Productions, Deal, Garance

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1