Michael Dougherty is coming out with a brand new Christmas themed horror film, and we now have our first official images from the movie.
The first images for Krampus were released today via USA Today. They show off the film's main cast including Adam Scott, Allison Tolman, Toni Collette, Emjay Anthony, as well as the titular villain, a Christmas demon named Krampus. It looks about as awesome and terrifying as expected.
You can also get a better look at Krampus itself in the film's international trailer, although for whatever reason the English language version has not yet been posted. Keep a look out for that one, but if you want a taste of the film's visual style and the look of its villain, you can get a sense of that here.
In Krampus, a young boy named Max begins to lose his Christmas spirit thanks to his dysfunctional family, and because of that Krampus, a demon that punishes bad children, comes for a visit. Dougherty has previously directed a holiday themed horror film with Trick 'r Treat, and Krampus is expected to have a similar tone of mixing comedy and horror.
The idea of Krampus is actually based on real folklore dating back to pre-Christian traditions. Dougherty has said he will draw on the real stories of Krampus for his film, especially 17th century depictions which explain him as the judge, jury and executioner of Santa Claus.
Doughtery also said that Krampus will explore the mischievous side of the character. "He’s not Freddy or Jason or Leatherface, this unstoppable monster that kicks down your door and rampages and grabs you,” he said. “If you study the myth, there’s something darkly playful about him. He’s having a good time doing what he does and he enjoys the cat-and-mouse aspect of it.”
Krampus hits theaters on December 4.
Image via Twitter from Geek Tyrant