Thu. Feb 6th, 2025
Fatman (2020)

Forget that jolly old elf you thought you knew. This ain’t your grandma’s Santa Claus. “Fatman” throws a curveball with Mel Gibson as a grumpy, gun-toting Kris Kringle battling a pint-sized assassin. Think “Die Hard” meets “Miracle on 34th Street,” with a dash of “Bad Santa” thrown in for good measure.

This dark action-comedy takes Santa out of the North Pole and throws him into a world of government contracts, spoiled brats, and deadly assassins. It’s a wild ride that will leave you wondering if you should be laughing or cringing. One thing’s for sure, you’ll never look at Santa the same way again.

Review by Ben Dover: Goggins and Gibson Chew up the screen.
3 out of 5 Bad Santa’s

“Fatman” is a bizarre, offbeat film that somehow manages to be both entertaining and disturbing. This is a holiday flick for anyone who’s ever thought Santa could use a shot of whiskey and a night at the shooting range, namely Me. Mel Gibson, as always, delivers a solid performance, even if he does seem a bit too comfortable wielding a shotgun. The premise is ridiculous, but the film somehow pulls it off, thanks to some sharp writing and a talented cast.

The plot is as crazy as it sounds: a disillusioned Santa facing off against a hired assassin in a bloody showdown. And Gibson, with his gruff voice and “seen-it-all” demeanor, brings a weird sort of gravitas to the role of Santa. He’s not here to spread cheer; he’s here to get the job done and maybe punch a few bad guys along the way. It’s a bit of an odd choice for a Christmas movie lead, but let’s be honest—Mel Gibson playing a cranky, disillusioned Santa isn’t that much of a stretch.

Mel Gibson plays Chris Cringle, a bitter, downtrodden Santa who’s struggling to keep his North Pole business afloat. Turns out, kids aren’t exactly making the “nice” list these days, and with declining morale and profits, Santa has to take a government contract to stay in the black. Yeah, it’s that kind of movie—a Christmas story where Santa’s getting paid by Uncle Sam. And if that’s not wild enough, a spoiled rich kid hires a hitman to take Santa out after getting a lump of coal in his stocking. Who’s the hitman? None other than Walton Goggins, who seems to be having the time of his life playing a contract killer with a grudge against jolly old Saint Nick.

As for Walton Goggins, he’s the standout in this holiday spectacle. His character, Skinny Man, is a hitman with a personal vendetta against Santa, and he brings that special brand of Goggins’ manic energy to every scene. Watching him methodically hunt down Santa feels like a fever dream you’d have after watching Die Hard on repeat and eating too many candy canes.

Now, Fatman doesn’t exactly deliver the kind of warm and fuzzy Christmas vibes you’d get from It’s a Wonderful Life or Elf. It’s dark, violent, and more than a little twisted. But somehow, there’s a weird sort of Christmas spirit buried under all the blood and bullets. At its core, the movie’s really about finding hope in a world that’s lost its way—though admittedly, it finds that hope by way of high-caliber weaponry and a grumpy Santa who isn’t afraid to fight back.

The action sequences are surprisingly well-done, and the film has a dark sense of humor that will appeal to those who like their Christmas movies with a side of cynicism. However, the film’s biggest flaw is its uneven tone. It can’t quite decide whether it wants to be a full-blown action flick or a dark comedy, and it ends up feeling a bit disjointed.

It’s a twisted Christmas flick that combines action, dark humor, and a whole lot of “what the heck am I watching?” moments. Just don’t expect Santa to be spreading much goodwill—unless it’s with a side of buckshot.

Despite its flaws, “Fatman” is a unique and entertaining film that’s sure to become a cult classic. It’s not for everyone, but if you’re looking for something different this holiday season, give it a shot. Just don’t expect to see Santa and his reindeer flying through the sky anytime soon.

Starring

  • Mel Gibson as Chris Cringle / Santa Claus
  • Walton Goggins as Jonathan “Skinny Man” Miller
  • Marianne Jean-Baptiste as Ruth Cringle

Special Effects

The special effects are minimal, but effective. The film relies more on practical effects and stunt work, which gives it a more grounded feel.

Music

The film’s score is a mix of traditional Christmas carols and more modern, action-oriented music. It’s an odd combination, but it somehow works.

Rating

3 out of 5 Bad Santa’s

Synopsis

A disillusioned and alcoholic Santa Claus (Mel Gibson) is forced to partner with the U.S. military to save his failing business. Meanwhile, a spoiled rich kid (Chance Hurstfield) hires a ruthless assassin (Walton Goggins) to kill Santa after receiving a lump of coal in his stocking. What follows is a violent and darkly comedic game of cat-and-mouse between Santa and the assassin.

Famous Quotes

  1. “I’m not worried about getting on some naughty list. I’ve already been on every list there is.” – Jonathan “Skinny Man” Miller
  2. “You think you’re the only one who knows how to deliver?” – Chris Cringle / Santa Claus
  3. “I’m not what they say I am.” – Chris Cringle / Santa Claus
  4. “It’s not about toys, it’s about work.” – Chris Cringle / Santa Claus
  5. “He’s not what you think he is.” – Ruth Cringle

Notes

  1. The film was shot in Canada.
  2. The film’s original title was “Fatman.”
  3. The film was released in theaters and on demand on November 13, 2020.
  4. The film received mixed reviews from critics.
  5. The film was a box office bomb, grossing only $4.3 million worldwide against a budget of $20 million.

Photos

Trailer

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