‘Christmas at the Kringles’: Thomas Lennon, Chainsaws, and One Very Wrong Christmas Tree Topper

Halloween and Christmas have already begun bleeding into each other at department stores and supermarkets. Halloween candy, costumes, and decorations are in full effect, while right across the aisle, somebody’s already putting up Christmas trees. We’re barely a week into October.

Christmas at the Kringles is jamming itself perfectly into that transition, arriving in theaters October 30, the day before Halloween, through Briarcliff Entertainment. And the new full trailer looks like a ridiculous way to celebrate both holidays at once.

Following last month’s teaser, this longer look leans much harder into comedy than horror. But the grindhouse-style presentation, complete with the constant repetition of the title, is absolutely hilarious. They’re really going to make sure you remember what this movie is called.

There are also chainsaws, weapons, bondage, a beheading, and all sorts of fucking craziness. Most notably, somebody’s head becomes a Christmas tree topper, which immediately brings Terrifier 3 to mind.

Outside of that particularly nasty decoration, the trailer isn’t overwhelmingly gory. It’s selling the jokes, the absurdity, and the promise that this Christmas celebration is going to get people killed. It looks really fun and funny, and I love Thomas Lennon. Having him leading the charge through this madness certainly helps.

Directed by Kevin Lewis (Willy’s Wonderland) from a screenplay by Zack Imbrogno (Slayers), the film follows the Seversons as they move into a quiet neighborhood next to a family that celebrates Christmas year-round. Things turn sinister when Mark discovers the Kringles intend to hypnotize and indoctrinate his family, forcing him to team up with a rogue Santa to get them back.