New violent and gruesome Christmas film is 'unlike anything audiences have seen in a long time'

A new gruesome Christmas movie has been touted as 'unlike anything audiences have seen in a long time'.

Violent Night stars David Harbour as Santa Claus - but he ain't the jolly fat man we know and love.

Check out the trailer here:

The action-comedy is about to hit cinemas, and it sounds like it could be worth a watch.

Directed by Norwegian director Tommy Wirkola from an original screenplay by Sonic the Hedgehog writers Pat Casey and Josh Miller, the film also stars Emmy-winner John Leguizamo, Cam Gigandet, Alex Hassell, Alexis Louder, Edi Patterson and Beverly D'Angelo.

In a review for Screen Rant, film critic Brittany Witherspoon said the gory movie is 'wildly entertaining'.

She wrote: "Violent Night is nothing like the average Christmas movie.

"Wirkola's feature boasts violence and a hostile family dynamic unlike anything audiences have seen in a long time. From the producers of films like Nobody and John Wick, the Christmas film packs heavy action sequences with great camera work and choreography to match.

"It's the best of Christmas goofiness with the right amount of corny one-liners, but it also contains the perfect amount of jaw-dropping carnage.

"Essentially, it's experimental, yet it complements the existing tropes within its genre while earning its R rating at every moment possible.

"Blending these elements is no easy feat, but thanks to Casey and Miller's exhilarating script and Wirkola's direction, this new Christmas classic is non-stop fun."

Sounds good, doesn't it?

Universal Pictures

Speaking to IGN about his latest project, Wirkola admitted he drew inspiration from another famously festive action flick.

Yes, you know the one.

"Obviously, Die Hard was a big influence," he said.

"And for me, [John] McTiernan, just as a director, is one of my favourite directors, and we try to pay tribute [to] and honour that movie as much as we can. And then try to make our own thing based on that. Our own crazy story."

A synopsis for the 'coal-dark holiday action-comedy that says you should always bet on red' reads: "When a team of mercenaries breaks into a wealthy family compound on Christmas Eve, taking everyone inside hostage, the team isn't prepared for a surprise combatant: Santa Claus (David Harbour, Black Widow, Stranger Things) is on the grounds, and he's about to show why this Nick is no saint."

Violent Night is out in cinemas tomorrow (Friday 2 December).