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Action thriller

Violent Night (2022): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Violent Night (2022) movie poster

Violent Night is a 2022 action thriller directed by Tommy Wirkola, starring David Harbour as Santa, Alex Hassell and Beverly D'Angelo. It runs 1 hour 41 minutes and earned $76 million worldwide on a $20 million budget. Critics gave it 74% on Rotten Tomatoes and 55 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.7/10.

IMDb rating
6.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes
74%
worldwide gross
$76M
Echo Score
62
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Violent Night (2022) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 41m (101 min)
Director
Tommy Wirkola
Genres
Action , Thriller , Horror , Comedy
Original language
English
Budget
$20M
After the credits
Yes Extra scene during or after the credits
The story

What Is Violent Night About?

The premise of Violent Night without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

During a raging storm on Christmas Eve, a team of mercenaries attacks a luxurious mountain estate, taking the wealthy family inside hostage. Unbeknownst to the intruders, Santa Claus is present and ready to defend his unexpected guests. David Harbour portrays a surprisingly formidable Santa, unleashing a series of unexpected and brutal tactics to thwart the criminals and deliver a unique kind of holiday justice.

Violent Night Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • christmas eve
  • bloody violence
  • santa claus character
  • santa claus
  • mercenary
  • black humor
  • brutal violence
  • graphic violence
  • two word title
  • gore
  • hostage situation
  • taken hostage
+38 more
  • die hard scenario
  • reindeer
  • snow and ice
  • massive fight
  • man and woman fighting
  • man stabbed to death
  • snow mobile
  • killed with a hammer
  • krampus
  • vault
  • mercenary killed
  • villainess
  • stabbed with a candy cane
  • head on fire
  • nutcracker
  • hostages
  • stabbed with a fire place poker
  • christmas horror
  • tied up with christmas lights
  • stabbed with icicle
  • burning money
  • santa's sleigh
  • snowmobile
  • booby trap
  • naughty or nice list
  • home invasion
  • family christmas
  • christmas dinner
  • drunk
  • stolen cash
  • christmas gift
  • foot chase
  • breaking into a vault
  • attic
  • naughty list
  • hit in the face with a snowball
  • christmas
  • christmas tree
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Cast & crew

Violent Night Cast & Characters

David Harbour leads the cast as Santa, with Alex Hassell as Jason and Beverly D'Angelo as Gertrude. Directed by Tommy Wirkola; 12 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Violent Night

· 8 more
From the director

More from Tommy Wirkola

More films directed by Tommy Wirkola, best-rated first: The Trip, Spermageddon, Dead Snow 2: Red vs. Dead and Dead Snow.

Full filmography
Ratings

Violent Night Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Violent Night 74% on Rotten Tomatoes and 55 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.7/10. Our Echo Score gives it 62/100, strongest in rewatch factor (78) and weakest in art & craft (48).

62 /100

Violent Night Echo Score Breakdown

Violent Night delivers a mixed experience that leans toward moderate enjoyment. Critics highlight uneven storytelling and uneven direction, while audience members praise its high‑octane action and holiday‑themed humor. The film’s visual and auditory elements are competent but not outstanding, and its characters generate both criticism and acclaim. The strong rewatch appeal, driven by its comedic violence, helps offset narrative weaknesses, resulting in an overall modestly positive reception.

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

  • Art & Craft 48

    In terms of direction and production design, the film shows uneven execution. Critics note scattered comic ideas, dull villains, and a tonally uneven premise, while users point to occasional effective action set‑pieces but also criticize dragging pacing and digital‑heavy effects. The cinematography and editing receive limited praise, leading to a below‑average assessment of the film’s artistic craftsmanship.

  • Character & Emotion 68

    When evaluating acting and character depth, responses are more favorable. David Harbour’s portrayal of a gritty Santa receives consistent acknowledgment as fitting and occasionally nuanced. Some reviewers find the supporting cast unlikeable yet effective, and audience comments highlight a surprisingly rounded Santa arc. Though a few note weak chemistry, the overall impression is that the characters contribute positively to the viewing experience.

  • Story & Flow 53

    Story cohesion and pacing receive mixed feedback. Critics describe the premise as one‑joke stretched over the runtime, resulting in tonal shifts and a weak narrative arc. Users echo these concerns, mentioning generic plot elements and a loss of momentum in the final act. Nevertheless, the film’s homage to classic holiday action tropes provides occasional engagement, placing the story assessment in a middling range.

  • Sensory Experience 62

    Sensory elements such as sound design and visual style are generally competent. Reviewers acknowledge the effective use of festive gore and occasional striking action set‑pieces, while also noting a lack of practical effects and reliance on digital alterations. The soundtrack and overall audiovisual presentation support the film’s tone without standing out, resulting in a modestly positive sensory rating.

  • Rewatch Factor 78

    Rewatch value emerges as the film’s strongest aspect. Critics and users alike describe Violent Night as a fun, crowd‑pleasing experience that invites repeated viewings, citing its holiday‑themed violence and comedic moments as repeatable highlights. The potential for cult classic status and the enjoyment derived from its blend of action and humor reinforce a high likelihood of audiences returning to the movie.

Plot

Violent Night Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Violent Night from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 16 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In Greenwich, Connecticut, Jason Lightstone, portrayed by Alex Hassell, and his estranged wife, Alexis Louder, visit his mother, Gertrude, played by Beverly D’Angelo, at her sprawling mansion for a festive Christmas gathering. Their daughter, Trudy, wishes for family unity via an old Walkie-Talkie that Jason had given her, suggesting it connects her directly to Santa. Meanwhile, the guard at Gertrude’s lavish estate is Al, a character played by Ray Strachen.

Full summary

The whole story of Violent Night, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Violent Night Box Office & Budget

Violent Night grossed $76 million worldwide on a $20 million budget, 3.8 times what it cost. $50.1 million came from the US and Canada and $25.9 million (34%) from the rest of the world.

2022 box office

Worldwide gross

$76M

3.8× its budget

US & Canada
$50.1M
International
$25.9M
Budget
$20M
US & Canada 66% Rest of the world 34%
Videos

Violent Night Trailers & Videos

11 videos: 1 trailer, 7 clips and 3 behind-the-scenes videos.

All 11 videos
Official Trailer
  • Clip Exclusive Clip
  • Clip Exclusive Clip: Santa Throws Hands!!!
  • Clip Clip - Santa Claus is Coming to Town
  • Clip Clip - Caught Hiding Behind a Christmas Tree
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Violent Night?

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

Who is the estranged couple trying to reunite for Christmas?

Details

Violent Night Also Known As

33 alternative titles, including “คืนเดือด” and “Noche Sin Paz”.

Also known as
  • คืนเดือด
  • Noche Sin Paz
  • Noite Violenta
  • 殺神夜
  • Nežēlīgā Nakts
  • Noite Infeliz
  • شب خشونت آمیز
  • شب خشونت بار
  • Noche de paz
  • バイオレント・ナイト
  • 暴戾夜
  • Una notte violenta e silenziosa
+21 more
  • 바이올런트 나잇
  • Люта нічка
  • Dzika noc
  • Šílená noc
  • Đêm Hung Tàn
  • Брутална нощ
  • ليلة عنيفة
  • Жестокая Ночь
  • מי מפחד מסנטה?
  • Vahşi Gece
  • Divlja noć
  • Vérapó
  • 暴力之夜
  • Άγρια Νύχτα
  • Šialená noc
  • Ô violente nuit
  • Дивља ноћ
  • Negailestinga naktis
  • شب خشونت‌آمیز
  • Nasilna noč
  • Crăciun de coșmar, სასტიკი ღამე

Seen Violent Night?

FAQ

Violent Night FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Violent Night, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Violent Night?

Violent Night runs 1 hour 41 minutes (101 minutes).

When was Violent Night released?

Violent Night was released on December 2, 2022.

Who directed Violent Night?

Violent Night was directed by Tommy Wirkola.

More films by Tommy Wirkola

Who is in the cast of Violent Night?

Violent Night stars David Harbour as Santa, Alex Hassell as Jason and Beverly D'Angelo as Gertrude, among 12 credited actors.

How much did Violent Night make at the box office?

Violent Night grossed $76 million worldwide ($50.1 million domestic, $25.9 million international) on a budget of $20 million.

How is Violent Night rated?

Violent Night has 6.7/10 on IMDb, 74% on Rotten Tomatoes, 55 on Metacritic and 73% on TMDB.

Does Violent Night have a post-credit scene?

Yes. Violent Night has an extra scene during or after the credits, so it is worth staying seated.

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