Best Easter Eggs in ‘Krampus’ That Are Easy to Miss

As a seasoned movie enthusiast who’s spent countless hours poring over films and their intricacies, I must say that “Krampus” is one of those rare gems that manages to captivate both my horror-loving heart and my analytical mind. The film’s clever blend of comedy, suspense, and homage to traditional folklore is nothing short of impressive.

Krampus is a chilling horror movie that revolves around a troubled boy named Max Engel (Emjay Anthony) and his strained family. As Max’s Christmas cheer diminishes, the menacing figure of Krampus makes an appearance to mete out penalties by targeting each family member individually.

Featuring Toni Collette, Adam Scott, Stefania LaVie Owen, and David Koechner, this movie offers a blend of darkness and humor, making it a great choice for your horror-themed holiday entertainment. However, with its numerous action sequences, scary moments, and animated flashbacks, the film is so jam-packed that some key details might slip past viewers.

8
The Gingerbread Men’s Voices

In the movie, the gingerbread figures, being among Krampus’s wicked minions, targeted the family. Throughout the film, these gingerbread characters predominantly giggled, yet they did utter a few words, like during the confrontation with Uncle Howard. The scene where Howard defended himself against a nail gun and subsequently burned the gingerbread men was particularly captivating, causing viewers to be drawn in. However, while many might have been fixated on the gingerbread men’s agonized screams as they were set ablaze, some subtle details might have gone unnoticed – the voices of the actors hidden behind them.

Talented Gingerbread Men

The gingerbread men are called Lumpy, Clumpy, and Dumpy. Lumpy was given voice by Seth Green, Clumpy by Justin Roiland, and Dumpy by Breehn Burns. Seth Green is a versatile actor recognized for his roles in numerous films and TV series, especially “Robot Chicken” and “Family Guy”. Justin Roiland is famous for voicing multiple cartoon characters and co-creating “Rick and Morty”, but he was eventually dismissed from the show. Likewise, Breehn Burns has worked on both sides of the camera, creating, writing, and voicing characters in productions like “Invader Zim: Enter the Florpus” and “Trick ‘r Treat”.

Significantly, posters of “Rick and Morty” and “Robot Chicken” are visible in Max’s room, while the movie incorporates numerous nods to “Trick ‘r Treat”.

7
The Extent of Max’s Love for Christmas

Max’s affection for the holiday is clear from the start, as he intervenes to protect younger children’s joy by defending against another child. Yet, there might be aspects of his love for the holiday that some viewers may have overlooked. For instance, he dons a Rudolph onesie and embellishes his room with various Christmas ornaments, such as a snow globe, a drawing and plush reindeer, a holiday owl figurine, and an Advent calendar.

Small, Sweet Details

Despite being minor aspects, the Christmas details hold significant importance to Max’s identity, much like his favorite shows and games. Therefore, Max’s loss of Christmas spirit becomes all the more heartbreaking, while its eventual recovery carries extra significance.

6
The Cold Breath Shots Were Done Digitally

Multiple instances in the movie depict the characters venturing outdoors to search for those who are lost. The setting is portrayed as extremely frigid, with houses encased in ice and obstructed roads. To emphasize the coldness, when characters speak, their breath appears visible. However, it’s important to note that this visible breath was not captured during filming but rather digitally enhanced afterwards.

Other Special Effects

In this production, it might be hard for spectators to discern the deceptive breaths, as the intention was for them to remain unaware. Moreover, it’s important to clarify that the breaths weren’t necessarily false; instead, real individuals were filmed in freezers to create the illusion of cold breath. Additionally, digital enhancements were not limited to the breath scenes, as the initial houses in the movie were digitally crafted as well. One of these houses was even a nod to the house featured in “The Amityville Horror.

5
The Rest of Max’s Letter to Santa

In the early stages of the film, Max composes a letter to Santa, which Stevie, Max’s cousin, starts to read aloud at the dinner table. The majority of the letter is then revealed to the audience, but Stevie hesitates after reaching a part that implies Uncle Howard regretted not having sons among his daughters. However, the rest of the letter is later shown in two other scenes.

Especially Nice

The rest of the letter expresses Max’s desire for the family to treat Aunt Dorothy better and for her to act kinder in turn. It also thanks Santa for Omi, which is an especially sweet detail, given the two’s relationship throughout the movie.

4
Video Hints of What’s to Come

In the spirit of a captivating film, Krampus subtly sets up its plot twists, although the depth and significance of these clues may be elusive during an initial watch. For instance, early in the movie, A Christmas Carol is visible on television. This is soon followed by a news broadcast about the battle against Christmas, and later, baby Chrissy listens to an animated elf quote Luke 2:9 from the Bible. As a devoted spectator, I found these seemingly innocent scenes to be intriguing hints that added depth to my understanding of the movie as I re-watched it.

Symbolic and Sinister

The storyline’s incorporation of “A Christmas Carol” symbolically reflects the characters’ lackluster holiday spirit and their impending judgment. Although not immediately apparent, a news report sheds light on the family’s internal discord, which is further developed through Tom’s reactions to Howard’s guns and Howard and Linda’s remarks about the Engel’s political views. Lastly, the animated elf subtly foreshadows the story’s conclusion by mentioning that those who encountered the “angel of the Lord” were initially terrified but later learned that he brought “tidings of great joy,” much like how the family initially feared Krampus but eventually grew closer due to his actions.

3
Use of Music

In this film, the music choice is nothing short of brilliantly executed. For instance, a haunting rendition of “A Silent Night” resonates powerfully during the scene where Beth is hiding from Krampus, adding an extra layer of tension as she tries to remain undetected. Later on, the same melody echoes when all other characters have dozed off, creating an unsettling ambiance that keeps you on edge. What’s more, when Krampus makes his grand entrance atop the house, “Up on the House Top” is played – a fitting choice given that Krampus is indeed up high and poised to make his terrifying appearance.

Scary Christmas Songs

As per IMDb, the film’s musician, Douglas Pipes, blended an assortment of unsettling tones to give the Christmas music a somewhat ominous twist. This mix encompassed choir intonations, whispers in various languages, and the sound of chains. Whatever technique he used undoubtedly worked.

2
Everything Omi Does to Prepare

Growing up, Omi had a chilling encounter with Krampus that led to her family’s abduction to the underworld. This experience has given her unique insights into Krampus’ arrival, which she demonstrates through her actions. For instance, she lights fires, advises others to stay indoors, and prepares defensive weapons. Furthermore, she makes cookies, wraps gifts, and subtly motivates Max to embrace the holiday spirit more wholeheartedly.

Teamwork Could Have Triumphed

If Omi had disclosed all her information right away, it might have increased their chances of survival. But there was also a possibility that they would dismiss her as irrational and ignore her warnings. Nevertheless, upon discovering the truth themselves, she may have been wiser to share more details, particularly about the elves arriving.

1
Fake Historical References

In the film version of Krampus, this mythical figure is depicted as a stern enforcer of tradition, originating from genuine European legends about a creature who disciplines naughty children. However, in this movie adaptation, Krampus doesn’t confine his punishment to just misbehaving kids; instead, he metes out judgment to everyone, regardless of their behavior, and the punishments he inflicts are much harsher than what is suggested by traditional folklore. Some elements of his methods of punishment in the film might lead viewers who are not familiar with the legend to mistakenly believe they’re drawn from actual folklore.

A Shadow-Version

In folklore, Krampus traditionally disciplines naughty children with sticks and chains, often using them as a warning rather than causing harm (though some stories depict him striking or abducting them). However, in the film, he assaults with toys and Christmas-themed items, aiming to kill. Furthermore, the elves accompanying Krampus in the movie bear unusual symbols not found in legends, and his use of snow globes for spying on families is a seemingly contemporary addition. This indicates that the cinematic Krampus goes beyond being merely Santa’s dark counterpart, as suggested by director Michael Dougherty, but also represents a more ominous interpretation of the traditional creature.

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2024-12-26 03:36