A group of kids is playing in the woods during Christmas break when they discover a pit with a person dressed as Santa Claus trapped inside. Two of the kids bike to the police station to report it, while the remaining three stay behind to guard the “Santa.” At the station, the kids are completely ignored but spot a fax revealing that the person in the pit is actually a bank robber with a loot of two million. Seeing an opportunity to get rich, the kids decide to keep Santa captive until she reveals where the money is hidden.
This is a Spanish TV movie that belongs to the “Films to Keep You Awake” series, which consists of six films. Surprisingly, it’s a high-quality production for a Spanish TV film.
The movie has a cozy atmosphere, reminiscent of Stand By Me, but the kids here are far greedier. Despite retaining some innocence, it’s clearly fading. There’s also a touch of Christmas spirit in the film, although, as a Norwegian, it feels strange to see Christmas in the warm Spanish climate. But that’s just my perspective. The movie is often quite funny and evokes feelings of the 1980s film The Monster Squad, which also follows a group of kids and is filled with film references. In A Christmas Tale, the nod to The Karate Kid stands out, providing a hysterical scene. However, A Christmas Tale is much darker and edgier than The Monster Squad, which is more of a family-friendly horror film.
The film is directed by Paco Plaza, who later gained fame for his POV horror films in the [Rec] series. While A Christmas Tale doesn’t reach the same heights as the [Rec] films, it’s clear even here that Plaza has great talent as a director. His storytelling is simple and accessible while embedding dark tones and black humor in his work. Though the movie feels a bit juvenile and genre-mixed to earn a higher rating, it’s definitely a film worth watching during the holiday season, as it’s both entertaining and cool.
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