
A down-on-his-luck Santa Claus, known as Chris Cringle, faces unexpected trouble when the U.S. military intervenes to help him deliver presents. After a spoiled 12-year-old receives a lump of coal, a skilled and ruthless assassin is hired to take out Kris Kringle, leading to a darkly comedic and action-packed showdown during the holiday season.
Does Fatman have end credit scenes?
No!
Fatman does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.
Explore the complete cast of Fatman, including both lead and supporting actors. Learn who plays each character, discover their past roles and achievements, and find out what makes this ensemble cast stand out in the world of film and television.
Discover where to watch Fatman online, including streaming platforms, rental options, and official sources. Compare reviews, ratings, and in-depth movie information across sites like IMDb, TMDb, Rotten Tomatoes or Metacritic.
See how Fatman is rated across major platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Compare audience scores and critic reviews to understand where Fatman stands among top-rated movies in its genre.
In overall, the film presents an uneven genre mashup that balances occasional humor and novelty with inconsistent execution. While some critics and many users highlighted the playful premise and standout performances, others noted tonal shifts that undercut the narrative cohesion. The combination of dark comedy and holiday motifs yields a distinctive but disjointed experience. As a result, Fatman delivers sporadic entertainment but struggles to maintain momentum or establish a lasting impact.
The Movie Echo Score Breakdown for Fatman
Art & Craft
In terms of direction and cinematography, Fatman oscillates between dynamic genre flourishes and uncertain tonal choices. Some sequences showcase rugged Alaskan vistas and coherent visual framing, while others suffer from abrupt stylistic shifts. Production design evokes a weathered holiday world, yet editing occasionally lapses into uneven pacing. The net effect is a sporadically engaging visual craft.
Character & Emotion
When it comes to acting and emotional resonance, the central performances of Mel Gibson and Walton Goggins stand out through measured physicality and occasional wit. Character depth, however, remains limited as motivations feel underexplored and the emotional arc lacks a compelling buildup. Chemistry between leads provides intermittent engagement. Overall, the performances are strong but the characters’ inner lives receive insufficient development.
Story & Flow
In terms of plot coherence and pacing, Fatman introduces an original premise but unfolds with uneven momentum. The narrative’s genre-blending conceit offers novelty, yet mid-film sequences drag and contribute limited narrative progression. Observers noted confusion in tonal alignment between dark comedy and holiday themes, which undermines sustained engagement. The story concept remains intriguing, but its execution often falls short of cohesion.
Sensory Experience
When it comes to sensory experience, the film presents a rugged visual style paired with a serviceable score. The soundtrack underlines key sequences with measured subtlety, though moments of humor and tension are not always reinforced sonically. Sound design delivers clear effects but lacks standout creativity. Overall, the audiovisual package is competent but rarely elevates the material.
Rewatch Factor
In terms of rewatch value, reactions vary between appreciation for its darkly comedic premise and reservations about pacing and tone. Some viewers express willingness to revisit for standout performances and novel holiday aesthetic, while others note that uneven momentum and inconsistent humor limit repeat enjoyment. The film provides occasional amusement on subsequent viewings but lacks the cohesion to sustain enduring appeal.
40
Metascore
6.2
User Score
44%
TOMATOMETER
84%
User Score
5.9 /10
IMDb Rating
56
%
User Score
2.7
From 8 fan ratings
3.67/5
From 9 fan ratings
Challenge your knowledge of Fatman with this fun and interactive movie quiz. Test yourself on key plot points, iconic characters, hidden details, and memorable moments to see how well you really know the film.
What job does Chris Cringle refuse initially to help his financial situation?
Producing jet fighter components
Working at a mall
Creating toys for kids
Becoming a consultant
Show hint
Read the complete plot summary of Fatman, including all major events, twists, and the full ending explained in detail. Explore key characters, themes, hidden meanings, and everything you need to understand the story from beginning to end.
On a secluded and ancient farm, nestled near the quaint Alaskan village of North Peak, Chris Cringle and his devoted wife Ruth diligently operate a workshop dedicated to creating Christmas gifts. This festive enterprise, which plays a vital role in the economy, faces an increasing threat as the US government, grappling with Chris’s declining profits—largely due to the growing ruthlessness of children—begins to cut back on financial support.
To compensate for Chris’s dwindling income, Captain Jacobs of the US military proposes a two-month contract (to manufacture jet fighter components) that Chris ultimately rejects. The liaison agents attempt to alleviate Chris’s growing fears by suggesting that even this arrangement is unlikely to endure, as subsidies are expected to plummet in the coming year. Nevertheless, with his spirits lifted by Ruth, Chris hesitantly concedes to accept the government’s offer just this once.
Among the many individuals affected by a deteriorating moral compass is Billy Wenan, a vile boy whose heart matches the cruelty of his actions. Living with his ailing grandmother, Billy engages in despicable behavior, targeting those he deems inferior, including a girl named Christine Crawford. After receiving a lump of coal from Chris on Christmas Eve—symbolizing his despicable deeds—Billy vows revenge and hires hitman Jonathan Miller to eliminate Chris.
As Miller embarks on a savage killing spree driven by his long-held resentment against Chris, he soon discovers the harmless toy maker while retrieving his mail from the Post Office, setting the stage for an ominous confrontation. Invading Chris’s peaceful farm, Miller dispatches US Army soldiers before sneaking into the workshop. An alert from an elf worker momentarily saves the day, but chaos ensues as Miller eliminates him and triggers a destructive explosion, obliterating the workshop while evacuating the workers, including Captain Jacobs.
In an intense showdown, Chris confronts Miller, emerging victorious from their titanic duel. However, the victory is bittersweet as Miller manages to inflict a gunshot wound to Chris’s head after initially wounding him with a hidden blade. Yet, in a shocking twist, Ruth avenges her husband, ending Miller’s violent spree. Gradually regaining his strength, Chris learns of Billy’s sinister plan to lace his grandmother’s milk with fontanel in a twisted scheme to conceal his fraudulent activities.
Furious over the chaos caused by Billy, Chris admits to having become complacent in managing the troubling behavior of malevolent youth. He issues a stern warning to Billy, vowing that if he dares to torment anyone again, he will be dealt with accordingly. With a renewed sense of purpose and optimism for the future, Chris, Ruth, and the elves roll up their sleeves to rebuild the workshop, envisioning an establishment that is not only larger but vastly improved, ensuring that the spirit of Christmas continues to shine bright.
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