Violent Night (2022)
Kernel Score: 82% · 2,495 ratings · Rated R
Genres: Action, Comedy, Fantasy
Released: 2022-11-30
Runtime: 111 minutes
Is Violent Night worth watching?
Worth watching. Santa fights mercenaries during a Christmas Eve hostage situation in a gory action comedy. It's knowingly silly, violent and surprisingly fun, and David Harbour sells it.
Watch it if you
- like R-rated action comedy
- want a different Christmas movie
- enjoy Die Hard-style siege films
Skip it if you
- want a family Christmas movie
- dislike graphic violence
Best for: Holiday night with adults
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch Violent Night
- Stream: Netflix
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
When a team of mercenaries breaks into a wealthy family compound on Christmas Eve, taking everyone inside hostage, the team isn’t prepared for a surprise combatant: Santa Claus is on the grounds, and he’s about to show why this Nick is no saint.
Violent Night parents' guide: ages 15+
Parents need to know that Violent Night features a brutal, R-rated Santa Claus fighting mercenaries with graphic violence and dark comedy.
- Violence & scariness: Intense — Extremely graphic, brutal fight sequences including booby traps and violent kills, played partly for dark comedy.
- Drinking, drugs & smoking: Some — Santa is portrayed as jaded and drinking heavily.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Violent Night
If you liked Violent Night, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Deadpool (2016) — 87%: R-rated comic-book action with a wise-cracking hero
- Deadpool 2 (2018) — 85%: Violent comedy with a big heart
- Big Trouble in Little China (1986) — 80%: Silly, fun action adventure
- Kung Fury (2015) — 85%: Over-the-top action spoof
- Red One (2024) — 79%: Christmas action adventure, much tamer
- Kung Fu Hustle (2004) — 87%: Wild, inventive comedy action
Director
Tommy Wirkola
Cast
- David Harbour as Santa
- John Leguizamo as Scrooge
- Beverly D'Angelo as Gertrude
- Alex Hassell as Jason
- Alexis Louder as Linda
- Edi Patterson as Alva
- Cam Gigandet as Morgan Steel
- Leah Brady as Trudy
- André Eriksen as Gingerbread
- Brendan Fletcher as Krampus
Violent Night FAQ
Is Violent Night worth watching?
Worth watching. Santa fights mercenaries during a Christmas Eve hostage situation in a gory action comedy. It's knowingly silly, violent and surprisingly fun, and David Harbour sells it.
Where can I watch Violent Night?
In the US you can stream Violent Night on Netflix and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is Violent Night OK for kids?
Violent Night is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that Violent Night features a brutal, R-rated Santa Claus fighting mercenaries with graphic violence and dark comedy.
What movies are like Violent Night?
If you liked Violent Night, try Deadpool, Deadpool 2, Big Trouble in Little China and Kung Fury.