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Comedy

Fatman (2020): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Fatman (2020) movie poster

Fatman is a 2020 comedy directed by Eshom Nelms and Ian Nelms, starring Mel Gibson as Chris, Marianne Jean-Baptiste and Chance Hurstfield. It earned $1.7 million worldwide on a $20 million budget. Critics gave it 44% on Rotten Tomatoes and 40 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.9/10.

IMDb rating
5.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes
44%
worldwide gross
$1.7M
Echo Score
55
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Fatman (2020) movie poster
Released
Directors
Eshom Nelms and Ian Nelms
Genre
Comedy
Original language
English
Budget
$20M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Fatman About?

The premise of Fatman without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

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.

Fatman Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • christmas
  • assassin
  • elf
  • snow
  • santa claus character
  • post office
  • shootout
  • u.s. canada border
  • 12 year old boy
  • maid
  • alaska
  • bar
+38 more
  • merry christmas
  • wound
  • snowing
  • plot to murder santa claus
  • teddy bear
  • violence
  • bare chested male
  • snow adventure
  • title spoken by character
  • lump of coal
  • shot in the head
  • fight
  • letter to santa claus
  • written by director
  • view through rifle scope
  • explosion
  • punched in the face
  • stabbed in the back
  • shot to death
  • shot in the back
  • checkpoint
  • shooting range
  • border agent
  • 12 year old
  • man wears a stocking cap
  • scene during opening credits
  • best in show blue ribbon
  • boy wears a suit and tie
  • precocious boy
  • oxygen tube
  • father son relationship
  • grandmother grandson relationship
  • old woman
  • christmas decoration
  • glass of milk
  • gun
  • target practice
  • man with a beard
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Cast & crew

Fatman Cast & Characters

Mel Gibson leads the cast as Chris, with Marianne Jean-Baptiste as Ruth and Chance Hurstfield as Billy Wenan. Directed by Eshom Nelms and Ian Nelms; 10 actors are credited in all.

From the directors

More from Eshom Nelms and Ian Nelms

More films directed by Eshom Nelms and Ian Nelms, best-rated first: Small Town Crime, Red Right Hand and Waffle Street.

Ratings

Fatman Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Fatman 44% on Rotten Tomatoes and 40 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.9/10. Our Echo Score gives it 55/100, strongest in rewatch factor (65) and weakest in story & flow (45).

55 /100

Fatman Echo Score Breakdown

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.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 55

    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 60

    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 45

    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 50

    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 65

    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.

Plot

Fatman Plot Summary

What happens in Fatman from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

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.

Full summary

The whole story of Fatman, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Fatman Box Office & Budget

Fatman grossed $1.7 million worldwide on a $20 million budget, 8% of what it cost. $278,378 came from the US and Canada and $1.4 million (83%) from the rest of the world.

2020 box office

Worldwide gross

$1.7M

8% of its budget back

US & Canada
$278.4K
International
$1.4M
Budget
$20M
US & Canada 17% Rest of the world 83%
Videos

Fatman Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Fatman.

Fatman Official Trailer (2020)
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Fatman?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What job does Chris Cringle refuse initially to help his financial situation?

Cars

Cars in Fatman

30 cars on screen, including the 1978 Ford F-150 and the 1977 Plymouth Fury.

All 30 cars
  • 1978 Ford F-150 in Fatman 1978 Ford F-150 Main role
  • 1977 Plymouth Fury in Fatman 1977 Plymouth Fury Main role
  • AM General FJ-8C in Fatman AM General FJ-8C Minor role
  • AM General HMMWV M1025 in Fatman AM General HMMWV M1025 Minor role
Details

Fatman Also Known As

24 alternative titles, including “Matar A Santa” and “Le père Noël doit mourir”.

Also known as
  • Matar A Santa
  • Le père Noël doit mourir
  • Santa musí zemřít
  • 追杀胖老爹
  • Entre Armas e Brinquedos
  • Охота на Санту
  • Полювання на Санту
  • 追殺胖老爹
  • A dagadék
  • 산타킬러스
  • Poľovačka na Santu
  • Tlusťoch
+12 more
  • להרוג את סנטה
  • Sposób na świętego
  • Cuộc Chiến Của Ông Già Noel
  • Kako se riješiti Djeda Mraza
  • Storulis
  • Kako se znebiti Božička
  • Missão: Vingança
  • مرد چاق
  • Да убиеш Дядо Коледа
  • クリスマス・ウォーズ
  • Resnulis
  • Grăsanu‘

Seen Fatman?

FAQ

Fatman FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Release Date

Release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Fatman, each answered in a sentence.

When was Fatman released?

Fatman was released on November 13, 2020.

Who directed Fatman?

Fatman was directed by Eshom Nelms and Ian Nelms.

More films by Eshom Nelms

Who is in the cast of Fatman?

Fatman stars Mel Gibson as Chris, Marianne Jean-Baptiste as Ruth and Chance Hurstfield as Billy Wenan, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Fatman make at the box office?

Fatman grossed $1.7 million worldwide ($278,378 domestic, $1.4 million international) on a budget of $20 million.

How is Fatman rated?

Fatman has 5.9/10 on IMDb, 44% on Rotten Tomatoes, 40 on Metacritic and 56% on TMDB.

Does Fatman have a post-credit scene?

No. Fatman has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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