As a cinephile with a soft spot for B-movies and cult classics, I’ve always found myself drawn to those films that dared to defy conventions and push boundaries. And when it comes to the often-maligned slasher genre, there are few entries as audacious and underappreciated as “Silent Night, Deadly Night 3.
The slasher film “Silent Night, Deady Night,” which gained significant popularity in the 1980s, may not have garnered widespread fame and acclaim without the uproar caused by protesters who strongly objected to the linking of a cherished holiday figure like Santa Claus with such a violent film. Protests were held at theaters, with angry parents picketing, and even Gene Siskel commented that the filmmakers were earning profits from “blood money.” This controversy mirrored the debates during the PMRC hearings in the same decade about the lyrics of various musicians. The ensuing uproar only served to heighten public interest. With the rise of home video, it became easy for anyone who enjoyed horror films and had a VCR to watch “Silent Night, Deady Night.
Given the popularity or infamy of any movie, whether from box office success, fan adoration, or in the case of Silent Night, Deadly Night, controversy, a follow-up was inevitable, and indeed, multiple sequels ensued. The second installment, Silent Night, Deadly Night 2, now beloved by fans for its exaggerated acting and eccentric performance by Eric Freeman, was succeeded by a third part, Silent Night, Deady Night 3: Better Watch Out. Despite being panned by many critics and currently holding a low 11% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, this third installment has consistently been overlooked in terms of the recognition and acclaim it merits for its unique tone, ambition, and its commitment to continuity with its predecessors.
A New Setting, New Characters, and a Cult Director at the Helm
In a departure from typical slasher film tropes, which were becoming overly familiar by 1989, Monte Hellman, director of “Silent Night, Deadly Night 3,” chose to focus on tone and suspenseful buildup rather than the conventional themes of promiscuous teenagers engaging in drug use and pre-marital sex being punished.
The narrative primarily revolves around Laura (Samantha Scully), a woman who is both blind and possesses psychic abilities, and her connection with Ricky Caldwell (Bill Mosely), now comatose due to events from the previous movie. This psychic link facilitates the use of stock footage from the first film to maintain continuity within the series, as well as a dream sequence that resembles Dario Argento’s “Phenomena.
In the classic film “Silent Night, Deadly Night,” a significant portion of the narrative focuses on the intricate character development of Billy Chapman. This exploration delves into his past, specifically the struggles he faces after the murder of his parents and his subsequent stay in an orphanage, ultimately leading to his descent into madness and violent behavior. Additionally, Hellman dedicates a substantial amount of time to the first act, where Laura is portrayed as a resilient and self-reliant character. Similar to Billy Chapman, she too grapples with her life as an orphan, dealing with the aftermath of trauma, which manifests in the eerie psychic visions she encounters.
In many slasher films, the “final girl” is a well-known character trait. However, Laura stands out as much more than just a final girl. Being blind yet refusing to be defined by her disability, and empathetic due to her PTSD, she presents as a stronger, multi-dimensional figure compared to the typical one-dimensional final girls often portrayed. Even a seemingly awkward dialogue from her therapist, where Laura is described as fiercely independent and unwilling to accept help from strangers because of her disability, being labeled as not needing to be the “champion blind orphan,” serves to highlight Laura’s inner resilience and determination. Despite the somewhat clumsy delivery of this line, it underscores Laura’s strong character traits.
Integrating a Fairy Tale Into the Slasher Formula
A notable aspect of Silent Night, Deadly Night 3 is that it has fewer killings compared to typical slasher films, yet fans often anticipate and desire a high body count. Instead, Hellman emphasizes the consequences rather than the acts of killing, much like in Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer. The real terror lies in what isn’t shown, with the graphic depictions of victims after Caldwell visits them post-coma serving as disturbing reminders that encourage viewers to fill in the gaps and imagine the horrors that transpired.
In the third installment of “Silent Night, Deadly Night,” Caldwell’s violent actions are linked to the color red and images of Santa Claus, as seen in the previous films. Interestingly, this film incorporates aspects from the fairy tale “Little Red Riding Hood” into its storyline. The characters Laura, her brother Eric Da Re, and his girlfriend Laura Herring, are on their way to visit their grandmothers for Christmas in a red car. This continued use of red only serves to fuel Caldwell’s anger. Before the family arrives, Caldwell, who has taken on the role of the big bad wolf from the fairy tale, already appears and, off-screen, kills the grandmother, leaving viewers to make their own interpretations.
In the story, which combines elements of a traditional fairy tale with horror, Grandmother’s house, the Big Bad Wolf, and Laura playing Little Red Riding Hood are chased by Detective Lieutenant Connely (Robert Culp). Unlike his role as the relentless pursuer, Culp’s portrayal in the film offers a comical twist, serving as a source of humor and lighthearted banter during his pursuit of Caldwell before he can cause more harm.
Over the River and Through The Woods…
In a series renowned for its contentious nature and dramatic death scenes, any subsequent installment might have simply served up more of the same without striving to innovate or delve into fresh concepts. Instead, introducing new characters and a narrative that carefully crafts the main character over time, as well as its unique tone and incorporation of a well-known children’s tale, warrants much acclaim and appreciation for daring to diverge from expectations and displaying a remarkable degree of ambition.
One could note some discrepancies between Laura’s blindness and her performances that aren’t of the highest standard. However, Monte Hellman’s focus on tone and ambiance is what strengthens the gradual-building plot, making it unnecessary to be excessively dramatic like many other slasher movies. In fact, Monte Hellman demonstrates that one can achieve a great deal with minimal resources.
Silent Night, Deadly Night 3, though not flawless, demonstrates that it’s possible to utilize an established brand and introduce a daring new angle while preserving connections to the previous installments. Compared to other popular slasher series from the same era, which often produced numerous sequels that were either identical replicas of their predecessors or noticeably lower in quality, Monte Hellman’s work deserves a second look and possibly a fresh assessment.
3rd Installment of “Silent Night, Deadly Night” showcases an attempt at originality, often overlooked in a genre not typically known for its distinctiveness. Now available to stream for free on Tubi and The Roku Channel.
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2024-11-17 19:32