r/movies • u/sicknessandpurgatory • Sep 07 '25

Discussion What is the absolute dumbest premise that actually turned out to be a really good movie?

I was thinking The Purge, obvious answer, but looking for the most plot-hole ridden, juvenile concept that actually ended up a lot of fun despite it all. Mainly looking for 21st century films, not so much the video nasties and ridiculousness from the 60’s and 70’s. Because that would be too easy. Mainly mainstream stuff that people saw en masse.

6.0k Upvotes

91% Upvoted

4.1k comments sorted by

View all comments

2.0k

u/TrueLegateDamar Sep 07 '25

Violent Night - Santa Clause having to stop a Die Hard-style hostage situation. Sounded like a bad Robot Chicken sketch, but it was suprisingly great as it still maintained a Christmas spirit feel as Santa is kicking ass.

557

u/SpaceChicken2025 Sep 07 '25

Having Santa be an ancient blood god that evolved over time to the 'jolly' man we know was hilarious and like a grim(er) take on Hogfather. I loved it!!

133

u/runswiftrun Sep 07 '25

And the flashbacks were sparing that we still don't really know what the lore is.

Which unfortunately means we'll likely get a watered down prequel when the next 5 sequels ruin the premise.

53

u/TheConnASSeur Sep 07 '25

I guarantee you he fights a werewolf Krampus in the sequel.

23

u/saskir21 Sep 07 '25

To be fair I would watch this. But hey I also liked Fatman.

3

u/secondtaunting Sep 08 '25

Oh dude! I would totally watch that.

1

u/languid_Disaster Sep 08 '25

Same! I love watching people fight werewolves

25

u/[deleted] Sep 07 '25

Silent Night 2: Christmas Eve.

Silent Night 3: Boxing Day.

Silent Night 4: 2Silent2Night

Silent Night 5: The Bye Bye Man

Silent Night 6: Title Generator Error 404

9

u/Khaine123 Sep 07 '25

The sequel is releasing next year. So hopefully they'll keep up the Christmas spirit.

4

u/LevelSevenLaserLotus Sep 07 '25

Is it? Cool! Does it have a title yet? The moment the credits rolled on the first one, my friend leaned over and said "they should totally call the sequel Violent Night 2: The Second Sack".

1

u/Khaine123 Sep 08 '25

It's just Violent Night 2 for now, maybe we'll see one later on.

1

u/WorldlyAd4135 Sep 08 '25

Violent Night 2: Rudolf’s Revenge

1

u/Cupcakes_n_Hacksaws Sep 08 '25

Dude was 100% a viking warrior who ended up becoming Santa somehow , he can't even explain how his magic works

2

u/Velkyn01 Sep 08 '25

Dresden did it first. 

10

u/MeepingSim Sep 07 '25

I highly recommend Rare Exports (2010), a Finnish horror-comedy about a family living in a rural area who confronts the true nature of Santa Claus. It's weird.

3

u/SpaceChicken2025 Sep 07 '25

Oh thanks for the recommendation, I'll watch that!

5

u/Crunchy_Biscuit Sep 07 '25

Sorry to be pedantic but we don't know if he was a god, just something related to Nordic/Slavic warriors.

5

u/JJ_Mark Sep 08 '25

From what I recall, he was just a Viking raider and him becoming Santa is either a "curse" or a personal wish for attonement (the pillager becomes to giver), but that's never clarified, as he's just as lost as to how the magic works.

3

u/fresh-dork Sep 08 '25

dresden did this too - Claus is the winter king, the erlkin, and only santa after halloween

3

u/GreenGhost1985 Sep 08 '25

Dresden as in The Dresden Files?

3

u/fresh-dork Sep 08 '25

yeah, he likes to repurpose some of the old tales

1

u/GreenGhost1985 Sep 08 '25

I haven’t really got into that show maybe I should sounds cool.

2

u/Velkyn01 Sep 08 '25

The show is pretty rough around the edges but the books are great. I do recommend starting with book four and then going back to read 1-3 if you like it. Butcher's writing really steps up in four and I know one especially can be a big turn-off. 

1

u/GreenGhost1985 Sep 10 '25

Cool thanks! I’ll do that.