Warning! Spoilers ahead Krampus!Fans can finally put this issue to bed, becauseKrampus’tie-in comic gives an official answer to the film’s open ending. The 2015 horror/comedy has become a holiday staple for many, but the final shot of the movie has spurred debates among many. Thankfully, the lesser-known ‘sidequel’ gives fans all the answers they want.
InKrampus: Shadow of Saint Nicholasby Todd Casey, Michael Doughtery, Zach Shields, Laura Shields, Christian Diabari, Maan House, Stuart Sayger, and Michael Montenat, three individuals are visitedby Santa’s sinister companion, who puts them all through trials that help them find the Christmas spirit.
Thankfully, just like Max and his family in the film, each of these individuals learn the lesson they need to. As they celebrate the holiday with a renewed sense of life and purpose, they all find the same gift,a bell left by the Krampus to remind them he’s still watching.
Krampus’Comic Confirms He Doesn’t Punish Those Who Learned Their Lesson
No, Max and His Family Aren’t Trapped in a Snowglobe or Reliving Christmas Forever
Krampusis a film about a boy named Maxwhose love of Christmasfades after tensions boil over with his extended family. After wishing his family would go away, Max’s home isbesieged by the Krampus, Santa’s companion, who punishes those who have given up on the holiday and each other. After Krampus fulfills Max’s wish, the boy tearfully begs for his family’s lives, causing the entity to undo the night he put them through. However, on Christmas morning, the family finds a bell from Krampus andthe final shot is the Engels' home in a snowglobe in Krampus' workshop.
Some have taken the ending more optimistically, saying that Krampus let the Engels live, but he’s keeping an eye out. Others take a more downbeat view, saying that the Krampus actually trapped them in a snowglobe, and is forcing them to relive Christmas day over and over. That interpretation is undoubtedly a more frightening one, especially given that Krampus has thousands of snowglobes in the workshop with an unknown amount of families suffering the same fate. Thankfully, for those who prefer the ‘nicer’ ending,Krampus’comic tie-in shows the entity to be more kind than fans think.
Krampus’True Ending is More Fitting for the Holiday Season
KrampusWantsPeople to Become Better
Unlike the film, there’s no indication that the three people visited by the Krampus in Shadow of Saint Nicholas were trapped or still being punished. They, along with Max, learned their lesson and got to enjoy the festive season. The only ‘spooky’ part of these endings is the bell left behind by the Krampus, but hey, what better way to ensure that they don’t lose the Christmas spirit again than by making sure they have one hell of a reminder? These encounters ultimately show thatKrampus is not out just to punish, he wants people to grow.
Is it disturbing to think that Max and his family are still trapped in a snowglobe? Absolutely. But ultimately, this is a story about second chances, and what’s Christmas if not a time for a second chance? Krampus isn’t a cuddly or beloved figure like Santa, but in this story he’s out to show people (through admittedly extreme measures) not to lose sight of what’s important around the holidays. At the very least, fans can rest in knowing that the ending ofKrampusisn’t as nihilistic as they may have originally thought.
Krampus
Cast
Directed by Michael Dougherty, Krampus is a 2015 Horror and Comedy release that stars Adam Scott, David Koechner, Toni Collette, and Allison Tolman. The film sees a feuding family accidentally unleash a darkness on their home which sees Krampus stalking them on Christmas Eve.
