Santa’s Coming to Punish You at the Nitehawk Cinema in Brooklyn, NY

The notorious and controversial 1984 film Silent Night, Deadly Night, directed by Charles E. Sellier Jr., will be screened this weekend at the beautiful Nitehawk Cinema in Brooklyn, NY on 35mm. Lambasted by parental groups upon its initial release on November 9, 1984 (the same day as A Nightmare on Elm Street), the publicity surrounding the controversy failed to translate into ticket sales. The film spawned a multitude of sequels. From the press release:

Stemming from the trauma of seeing his parents murdered by a madman dressed as Santa, a young man goes on a Christmas killing spree in SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT! A 35mm presentation!

What could possibly be more frightening than having the ultimate child-friendly figure, Santa Claus, turn out to be a maniacal killer? Tales from the Crypt did it back in the early 1970s and the vivid image of a deranged Saint Nic has never left our collective conscience. Silent Night, Deadly Night brings christmas horror home and down the chimney when an adult-age Billy puts on a Santa costume at his new job and starts hacking people to bits. He’s unable to escape his performing his cruel actions but, then again, witnessing your parents’ murder and then suffering abuse at the hands of a frustrated nun doesn’t bode well for normal adult behavior. Silent Night, Deadly Night is a certain kind of holiday classic – it slays.

Part of Nitehawk’s December NITEHAWK SAVES XMAS brunch and midnight series!

Click here for ticket information and screen times.