John Stell
Screenwriter
Rating - Out of a possible 4
14) 12/11/2022 You Better Watch Out (1980)
This cult favorite is part psychological drama, part slasher flick, and part whimsy. The final shot of the film makes one wonder if the whole thing had been a dream of the supposed killer. But the haphazard blending of several different tones is what makes You Better Watch Out a missed opportunity. Writer-director Lewis Jackson appears to have intentionally attempted making a cult film. Usually, that doesn’t work. Most cult films seem to be happy accidents. Sure, some filmmakers strive to make something offbeat, but that’s not the same thing. You Better Watch Out wants to be goofy and straight-faced at the same time, and it doesn’t work.
Brandon Maggart does a fine job playing a man obsessed with Santa. He keeps a Naughty and Nice book documenting the local children’s rights and wrongs. His own brother thinks he’s a total loser. Finally, one Christmas Eve, he snaps, ostensibly pushed over the edge by some business types who see Christmas solely from a profit perspective. He steals toys from the factory where he works, dons a Santa suit, paints a sleigh on the side of his van, and distributes gifts to needy children. But then he runs into some obnoxious adults, leaving a Christmas Eve church service no less, who tease him. That’s when the murders begin.
As good as Maggart is in the role of the killer Claus, his character is genuinely off-putting. We’re supposed to think he went nuts when, as a child, he saw Mommy doing more than just kissing Santa, unaware his father was the disguised playmate. But that doesn’t really translate into this sanctimonious, lone character who lives alone, mutters to himself, and stalks the local kids. It’s creepy, not endearing. Are we supposed to be cheering this guy on when he murders a co-worker who tricked him into taking his shift? Grow up, dude.
It’s telling this viewer had much more fun spotting the New York actors who would later regularly guest star on Law & Order. There are loads of them, including Jeffrey DeMunn, who plays the grouchy brother. This isn’t DeMunn at his best. He’s not particularly likeable either, although ultimately, he’s proved right in his thoughts about his sibling. But he’s so fever-pitch angry from the get-go that it’s hard to think much of him.
There are moments of suspense, shock, and humor in You Better Watch Out. But the film is clunky and feels half-formed. It fails at making the psycho the anti-hero we’re supposed to be cheering for by the end. (Also known as Christmas Evil.)
14) 12/11/2022 You Better Watch Out (1980)
This cult favorite is part psychological drama, part slasher flick, and part whimsy. The final shot of the film makes one wonder if the whole thing had been a dream of the supposed killer. But the haphazard blending of several different tones is what makes You Better Watch Out a missed opportunity. Writer-director Lewis Jackson appears to have intentionally attempted making a cult film. Usually, that doesn’t work. Most cult films seem to be happy accidents. Sure, some filmmakers strive to make something offbeat, but that’s not the same thing. You Better Watch Out wants to be goofy and straight-faced at the same time, and it doesn’t work.
Brandon Maggart does a fine job playing a man obsessed with Santa. He keeps a Naughty and Nice book documenting the local children’s rights and wrongs. His own brother thinks he’s a total loser. Finally, one Christmas Eve, he snaps, ostensibly pushed over the edge by some business types who see Christmas solely from a profit perspective. He steals toys from the factory where he works, dons a Santa suit, paints a sleigh on the side of his van, and distributes gifts to needy children. But then he runs into some obnoxious adults, leaving a Christmas Eve church service no less, who tease him. That’s when the murders begin.
As good as Maggart is in the role of the killer Claus, his character is genuinely off-putting. We’re supposed to think he went nuts when, as a child, he saw Mommy doing more than just kissing Santa, unaware his father was the disguised playmate. But that doesn’t really translate into this sanctimonious, lone character who lives alone, mutters to himself, and stalks the local kids. It’s creepy, not endearing. Are we supposed to be cheering this guy on when he murders a co-worker who tricked him into taking his shift? Grow up, dude.
It’s telling this viewer had much more fun spotting the New York actors who would later regularly guest star on Law & Order. There are loads of them, including Jeffrey DeMunn, who plays the grouchy brother. This isn’t DeMunn at his best. He’s not particularly likeable either, although ultimately, he’s proved right in his thoughts about his sibling. But he’s so fever-pitch angry from the get-go that it’s hard to think much of him.
There are moments of suspense, shock, and humor in You Better Watch Out. But the film is clunky and feels half-formed. It fails at making the psycho the anti-hero we’re supposed to be cheering for by the end. (Also known as Christmas Evil.)
