Lurker > Snake5555555555

Evil

Yule Man

Noelle

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1wb_NOHBHc

Inside No. 9 - The Devil of Christmas

(special holiday write-up)

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/5/9/7/AAR-tQAAD-DV.jpg

Importance: 3
Fear: 9
Snake: 10

(22 points)

An episode of Inside No. 9 that originally aired in 2016. Steve Pemberton plays Julian, a wealthy husband who takes his mother, his pregnant wife, and his son on holiday to an Austrian Alpine chalet. After laying eyes on a painting of Krampus, the "Devil of Christmas", the family begins a slow-burning spiral of terror and psychological trauma. The Devil of Christmas is a series of escalating events that turns itself on its head.

It's hard to discuss the Devil of Christmas without ruining the experience for those who haven't watched it. It's not an entirely typical episode of Inside No. 9, and it's certainly not a comedy-focused episode but does still have elements. But this send up to 1970s anthology horror is a morbid yet spellbinding study in the clash between blood and Christmas.

You see - The Devil of Christmas isn't merely some lost 70s horror production or a cheap riff on the legend of Krampus - this is a genuinely disturbing episode of British television. And it's directed with a beautifully joyous attachment by Graeme Harper. It's an episode that works on multiple fronts at all times and only gains yet another layer the second time you watch it - it's perhaps my favorite in an already stellar collection of Inside No. 9 episodes.

Let's discuss each layer 1 by 1.

Layer one: At face value, the actual "The Devil of Christmas" showed in the universe of Inside No. 9 is a lost 1970s horror film that has recently resurfaced. The character Krampus serves as the main antagonist, and we're told of his legend and how he leaves twigs for bad kids in their boots and candy for good kids. And so, the movie plays out much like a film from the era with some of the same tropes. There's a psychological build up to Krampus' reveal, but a last minute bait-and-switch at the conclusion shocks the audience as it's revealed Kathy, Julian's pregnant wife, orchestrated the whole Krampus subplot and left Julian to die so she could be with her other lover instead.

Layer two: Here's where things get a bit more interesting. As, from the start, we know what was recovered is more akin to behind the scenes commentary. We see clips rewound as "The Devil of Christmas" director Dennis Fulcher explains continuity errors, griping about actors and scene choices. Lots of the black comedy comes across from this point of view. We see the director's dissatisfaction with some portions of the film, though also genuine praise for some of his "choices".

Layer three: Here's where the episode becomes truly disturbing and enters a whole other echelon of greatness. In the episode's closing moments, many reveals happen at once. The final moments show Dennis Fulcher as the subject of a police interrogation - "The Devil of Christmas" is no ordinary horror movie, but rather it's a snuff film, and the actress playing Kathy the poor victim. It's a terrible, sinister twist to the episode's narrative that takes things to a whole new level. You're left stunned and horrified, and you're left to ask yourself "how the hell did anyone allow this to happen?" The entire episode changes its entire feel, a rewatch now more akin to a funeral procession as we helplessly watch the carnage unfold.

It's legitimately one of my favorite episodes of any TV show ever. As someone who loves said 1970s horror anthology shows, it was a pleasure to see this episode take on such an authentic look whilst providing some of the most disturbing moments you'll ever bear witness to in a show of this nature. This episode is the best in the entire series, and in terms of Christmas episodes there's almost nothing else like it.

Fantastic work by Jessica Raine (Kathy), Graeme Harper (director) and Steve Pemberton & Reece Shearsmith (writers & actors).

Let me know if you've seen this episode or have watched it for the first time. Do you know of any others like it? I'd love to hear any thoughts or comments you have on the episode or its unique context. Just wanted to do a special write-up on this episode since it's Christmas time and everything.

Metroid

Yule Man

Noelle

I hope so! They just acquired Skinamarink god damn it

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RulQfNHNkRE

Evil

RyoCaliente posted...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdRUMqds5r8

I like this a lot!

SCP-4666 Yule

Noelle

Bane_Of_Despair posted...

State Champs - All You Are Is History
https://youtu.be/vsJEC3Ar_ss

Just been stuck in my head , good ass pop punk

Their album Kings of the New Age this year was so damn good.

The Haxan Cloak - Disorder
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRa7yKn7wPI

Phenomenal dark ambient from the composer of Midsommar, Returnal, and more.

CKY - Flesh Into Gear
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwQNEzY8Z_E

Been lovin' this classic CKY track lately.

Metallica - Lux Aeterna
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2L8pMdqwoY

Been jammin' the new Metallica a lot of course.

Chris Rea - Driving Home for Christmas
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDt3u2Ev1cI

Gotta have Christmas music around this time and this is one of my favorites.

Kowloon - Wake Up
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Id2hNfVjZQ

Just super chill and love the lyrics.

Kelsea Ballerini - Heartfirst
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiengPyb62M

Still hopelessly addicted to this sugary sweet country pop track, love the chorus to bits.

MacArrowny posted...

Anyone here familiar with Signalis? I know they were working on a patch to make item management easier. Was wondering if they added that option yet.

Signalis was awesome. Not sure if I had the patch or not honestly but I never had a problem with the item management either way.

Willie T. Stokes (Bad Santa)

Castle

Chris Kringle (Team Starkid's Black Friday)

Noelle

Chris Kringle (Team Starkid's Black Friday)

Prince

Noelle

Smash

Giant Metal Santa Claus With Glowing Red Eyes
Klaus

SCP-4666/The Yule Man
Noelle

If Blur counts, does that mean Split/Second counts too? Though it might just be Double Dash.

I wonder if you would've liked this better
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsUiy_5dzuY

Metroid

SCP-4666/The Yule Man
Santa Claus (I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus)

Bonestorm commercial Santa
Noelle

Whoops I was too busy today

Barbarian watched. Absolutely loved it. The last 30 minutes had my stomach in knots. Man this year has really been above average.

Gear

Raetsel_Lapin posted...

..Well, that's the first time I've heard of "Brill Building Pop".

It's basically just a catch all term for mid-50s to early 60s teen pop, girl groups, and early rock n roll. Hugely influential on pretty much all music genres after it.

Santa Suit Maniac (Tales from the Crypt)

Goblincore, Cryptidcore, Spooky, love that!

GenesisSaga posted...

Birthday Massacre, nice!

Crazy good band! I got so heavily in to them this year after they released Fascination. Surprised they weren't in my top 5 (I keep track on last.fm too and looks like they just barely missed at #7)

MacArrowny posted...

I cannot figure out how to access this for the life of me.

Making Spotify Wrapped mobile only is still really disappointing to me.

Artists:
Taylor Swift
Miranda Lambert
Misfits
Ice Nine Kills
Metallica

Songs:
The Birthday Massacre - Kill the Lights
Black Marble - Iron Lung
Capcom Sound Team - Set You At Ease
Son Volt - Drown
Taylor Swift - Better Than Revenge

That's such a good Breaking Bad episode. Awesome use of Up the Junction too.

Cyberpunk 2077 is far from being an original IP. The Cyberpunk franchise has existed since the 80s.

Giant Metal Santa Claus With Glowing Red Eyes

Yule Man
Noelle

Psycho

Santa Suit Maniac
Hogfather

Grimmer posted...

Hogfather

Auto for him

for Maniac

Fantasy

Grandma got run over
Noelle

Santa Suit Maniac
The Yule Man

Trading for Maniac auto

Just beat it last night. It's at least an instant top 20 all timer for me. Maybe even higher. Blew me away on every conceivable level.