Stranger Things’ David Harbour shows a savage side of Santa Claus in first Violent Night trailer

Virgin Radio

6 Oct 2022, 08:10

David Harbour is delivering some “seasons beatings” in the first trailer for new action-packed Christmas film - Violent Nights. 

The Stranger Things star plays a different kind of Jolly Ol’ St. Nicolas in the comedy-thriller, in which a cranky Santa is tasked with saving Christmas from a band of trigger-happy bad guys. 

The official synopsis reads: “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.”

The mercenaries in question are played by John Wick star John Leguizamo and Cam Gigandet. Violent Night also stars Alex Hassell, Alexis Louder and Edi Patterson. 

Watch the trailer below: 

In the high-octane trailer, John’s mercenary leader promises the hostages their “worst Christmas Ever” after breaking into the compound, all guns blazing. 

David’s Father Christmas lands himself right in the middle of the action after flying through the fireplace, but the bad guys learn the hard way that Santa isn’t to be messed with. 

Saint Nick gives as good as he gets when face-to-face with the weapon-heavy mercenaries, and gets inventive with some tinsel, coal and sharpened candy canes.

“Time for some season's beatings,” a bloodied and bruised Santa says, before realising all the enemies are (unsurprisingly) on his naughty list. 

Violent Night is directed by Tommy Wirkola, the twisted mind behind horror movies Dead Snow and Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters.

Hopper star David isn't the first actor to portray a family unfriendly Santa Claus, with pro-wrestler Bill Goldberg portraying a buffed Santa in 2005's Santa's Slay.

In other Harbour news, the 47-year-old is set to feature in a live action adaptation of the Gran Turismo video game.

Violent Night will be released in cinemas on 2nd December.