It’s that Christmas movie season when we’re told about all the weird movies that are “Christmassy” but definitely not your normal holiday films. Things like Die Hard or, in our opinion, Batman Returns, which is probably the preeminent Christmas movie in my book.
When it comes to scary Santa Clauses, there’s a number of different films out there that provide us with horror galore. We can look at Art the Clown when he’s dressed as Santa, or Silent Night, Deadly Night. But let’s put those aside for a moment. Let’s go back to 1985 to a movie called Fortress.
Now, what really is eerie about the film is the main antagonist.. a villain that dresses up as Father Christmas. The mask is simple; it looks just like an evil, sadistic Santa, sort of like the Santa Claus that pushes Ralphie down with his foot in A Christmas Story. In this case, he’s not a mall Santa; he’s a highly criminal-minded, sadistic assailant who means harm to these children and the teacher.
Fortress is a 1985 Australian thriller that became a bit of a cult classic, especially for those who remember it playing on HBO. While it wasn’t a box office giant, it carved out a niche among fans of offbeat thrillers. The film didn’t earn massive revenues, but it left a lasting impression with its eerie atmosphere and that unforgettable Santa villain. It’s got a lot of cheesy acting and effects, but there’s something still great about it if you’re lucky enough to watch it.
In the end, that scary Santa Claus in Fortress probably goes down as, in our opinion, the scariest Santa in a film.. followed, of course, by that evil Santa in A Christmas Story who says Ralphie will shoot his eye out.
