In “Krampus” (2015), a dysfunctional family’s lack of holiday spirit inadvertently unleashes the wrath of Krampus, an ancient demonic force, and his mischievous minions. As the family battles to survive the Christmas nightmare, they discover the importance of cherishing the holiday spirit to escape Krampus’s malevolent clutches.
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6 Fun facts about Krampus:
(1) Krampus’s menacing design is a concoction of various postcards and illustrations spanning years of folklore.
(2) Dive into Austrian and German folklore with “Krampus Runs,” where grown men don Krampus costumes to scare children during festive parades.
(3) In a deliberate choice by the filmmakers, Krampus’s true face remains hidden behind a Santa-like mask, leaving audiences to conjure their own visions of his appearance.
(4) The gingerbread cookie trap pays homage to Icelandic folklore, mirroring the mischievous Yule Lad, Meathook, who snatches meats from chimneys.
(5) The movie’s ambiguous ending sparked two fan theories, with the tie-in comic book, “Shadow of Saint Nicholas,” confirming the optimistic outcome.
(6) “Krampus” hints at a sinister version of Father Christmas, with Omi Engel describing him as Saint Nicholas’s shadow, operating with minions, a sled, and a bell engraved with “Gruss Vom Krampus” (“Greetings from Krampus”).
