Silent Night, Deadly Night Part 2 (1987)

If you want two movies for the price of one, do I have a recommendation for you. Silent Night, Deadly Night Part 2 picks up with Ricky, younger brother of Billy (protagonist of the first film), grown and locked in an institution where on Christmas Eve (the most silent, deadly night) a psychologist is interviewing him about his past. This framing gives Ricky the opportunity to provide a 40+ minute summary of the original Silent Night, Deadly Night, complete with flashbacks consisting of extensive footage from the original film. Once we reach the final scene of the first film, there are still more flashbacks—this time made up of original footage as Ricky recaps what happened once he left St. Mary’s Orphanage, when he was matched with a Jewish couple to help protect him from his Christmas-related triggers. Ricky leaves the orphanage with a fear of nuns, a twisted sense of right and wrong, a desire to dole out punishment, and a zeal for inventive kills and flat, outrageous catchphrases that emerges after the death of his adoptive father. At this point in the movie, if you’re beginning to miss footage of the original film, don’t worry, we can work more in! Following a montage of Ricky and Jennifer’s budding relationship, the two go to the movies to see a film about a murderous Santa—a cut to the theater screen shows the opening of Silent Night, Deadly Night. 

The energy of the film is chaotic, and Ricky, played by Eric Freeman, chews scenery with over-the-top acting, delivering sarcastic lines with sneers and arching eyebrows even before he’s slaying away. Following his dispatch of Jennifer’s ex Chip with jumper cables, and Jennifer with a car antenna, Ricky goes on a suburban rampage, chuckling all the while, and delivering the iconic line: Garbage day! When Ricky reaches the point of the story where he is caught, we discover the doctor he has been talking to is dead and Ricky has broken free. Now the action of the film can finally begin! Though there isn’t much time left. That’s okay though because Ricky is on a focused mission. But first he has to get a Santa suit. I don’t mean to recap the entire movie here (though that does fit into the regifting spirit of the film), but how can I leave out that Mother Superior’s house address is 666, or that a stroke seems to have left half of her face burned for some reason? Mother Superior receives her punishment, and Ricky is shot down. The movie closes with one final smirk, suggesting there is more to come, and there is—parts 3, 4, 5 and a remake in 2012. Is this a good movie? No. Is it still a lot of fun in a bewildering way? Yes. 3 out of 5 sacs of blood.

—Gina Myers