By Geno McGahee
When you think of a killer Christmas movie in 1984, you will automatically think SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT, but there was another. Instead of a killer Santa Claus, we have a guy going around in a mask killing people dressed like Santa Claus, and it is more brutal than the one that created so much controversy.
The film boasts “14 unforgettable kills” and there were quite a few memorable ones. The killer wears on of those clear plastic masks and uses different methods to take them out. I was pretty amused by the kills. Most of the time, people dressed like Santa do it as a volunteer and if they don’t, they get paid nothing, really. The brutality shows a great deal of hatred for Santa. So, you know that the killer has had a bad Xmas somewhere along the way.
There is pressure put on the police department to figure out what’s going on. Remarkably, the spree of Santa murders have not stopped random guys dressed as Santa from walking the streets. The only Santa that was spared was a model wearing nearly nothing underneath. The killer looked at her boobs, nodded, and then walked away. He had no problems with her and he didn’t do anything sexual to her. He was a true gentleman.
This is a whodunit and when the killer is revealed, it’s not a huge surprise, but I did enjoy the backstory as to why he has gone on this rampage, and his one final act was very amusing. The very final scene of this movie is worth watching several times, and I did just that. It was pretty funny.
In the end, DON’T OPEN TIL CHRISTMAS is a pretty good Xmas slasher. It does rely heavily on the brutality and originality of the murders, and that is enough to give it a go. It is an average slasher whodunit with many amusing scenes. If you haven’t seen this and you’re fan of the 1980’s brand of horror, this is a must see. If you hate mall Santas or those Santas that ring those freaking bells, this is good to watch. I think everyone wants to see one of those guys taken out at one point in their life. Freaking annoying bell.
Rating: 7/10