Review: 'Silent Night, Deadly Night' (2025) is a Solid and Bloody Remake

Author note: No major spoilers ahead. 

Remaking horror films from the ‘80s doesn’t always have to be a disaster, in fact, there are times when someone gets it right. The original Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984) is considered a cult classic about Billy Chapman (Robert Brian Wilson) who goes on a killing spree in a Santa suit, due to the trauma he endured as a child upon seeing his parents be murdered by a man who wore a Santa suit himself. Instead of incorporating the weird misogyny from the original into the remake, Mike P. Nelson's Silent Night, Deadly Night gives us a strong final girl of color. Therefore, instead of simply following anti-hero Billy Chapman (Rohan Campbell), we're also getting to know Pam (Ruby Modine). 

Silent Night, Deadly Night follows Billy Chapman who witnessed his parents being murdered, and as an adult is on a violent journey to get revenge against those who would make the naughty list. Instead of Billy being an empty killer, who doesn't have a single bit of intrigue to him, Rohan Campbell infuses him with a certain type of charm. He's not your everyday slasher who kills random people out of a need to kill. Without spoiling, you won't be feeling sorry for Billy's victims in the slightest.

The film kicks off with a flashback to the night that Billy's parents were ruthlessly killed by an unknown man. A young Billy and his parents leave the old folks' home that Billy's grandfather ends up dying in, and of course their night doesn't go any smoother when they stop after an incident with another car. Only for that to be the biggest mistake, and then they are murdered. Leaving Billy as the only survivor of the traumatic event, but there's more to it than that. Spoiling this film would be awfully silly, but what can be said right now is that you're not going to expect most if any of the twists.

 Throughout the film, we're often in Billy's head, but there's something else going on inside of his head. We even get red flashes of the violence that could be committed against them. Though, the reasonings behind the chosen victims are left for us to figure out much later.

Occasionally in slashers, the killer(s) target people simply because they're in the wrong place at the wrong time. Silent Night, Deadly Night turns this on its head, not to mention there's another killer in town who's been snatching kids. Though, we don't really get to know who this person is right away, either. It's an aspect of the film that lingers around in the background, in the most unnerving way possible.

As we get to know Billy, we also meet the people in the small town that he decides to settle in for a while. Of course, he becomes drawn to our final girl, Pam, who works in her family-owned shop. She and her father are decent and dysfunctional, but they welcome Billy onto their very small team. At first, Pam's safety comes into question because it is a slasher after all, only she's thankfully never on the chopping (pun slightly intended) block. Instead, Billy and her become quite close throughout the film, and she reveals herself to be someone who doesn't back down. 

Despite how this is very much Billy's story, Pam's perspective and her overall character journey is also notable. She's not merely a love interest with no character traits beyond being desirable to Billy. Instead, Ruby Modine shows us that Pam is bold, funny, charming, and she'll cuss someone out if she needs to. And she unfortunately has a horrible ex-lover who is a police officer, as well as just a horrible man otherwise. As you learn more about why she keeps dodging his calls, you'll be anticipating his no-doubt gruesome end. 

It might not need repeating, but since horror is political, there's no avoiding the outright political aspects of this film. Especially not during a particular scene in a barn that you have to see for yourself. Again, not revealing any major spoilers, but when Billy decides to go bonkers with his ax in this scene, you won't even be batting an eye. Between the violent and or abusive men in town, the other townspeople who hide their hatred, and Ruby's entire character arc, you can't possibly dismiss what the film is trying to say.

Silent Night, Deadly Night is certainly a gory and bonkers slasher that manages to offer a few twists. But it's also a slasher that fully immerses itself in the current climate, and reminds its viewers of what's going on in the world. Whether it's abuse of power, the continual rise in hate crimes, the ever present white supremacists/Nazis that are casually walking around in plain sight etc. It's not ham-fisted in the slightest or written in a corny way that impacts the messaging. And you're also meant to have fun during these intense moments. 

The more we get to know Billy's backstory post-orphaning, the more it cements him as an anti-hero. The original doesn't feel as personal as this remake, and the absence of the very on-brand early ‘80s misogyny not being present here is still a relief. There are no scenes involving topless women opening their front doors for strangers, folks. Yes, you're allowed to enjoy throwback slashers, but when remaking these films it's better to update what doesn't age well. Thankfully, Mike P. Nelson understood the assignment.

It's safe to say that the third act won't be disappointing, and you'll enjoy that Ruby isn't cast aside for no reason. Silent Night, Deadly Night also gives her a really major moment by the end of the film. A moment that's really satisfying to watch, and it's the perfect way to wrap up this delight of a remake. There's no need to be hesitant about this one if you've been in the mood for an upgraded remake of a holiday slasher classic.

All in all, Silent Night, Deadly Night is perfect for the folks who have seen the 1984 original and desire a fresh spin on it. You'll get gooey practical effects, memorable co-leads in Campbell and Modine, more than a few sequences you won't soon forget, and a handful of twists that aren't easily spotted from the beginning of the film. At the end of the day, folks are sure to enjoy this 2025 remake, and it'll be a fun holiday horror watch for individuals for a while. 

You can watch Silent Night, Deadly Night in various theaters on December 12th.