The classic horror story of a killer Santa is coming back to theaters. Rohan Campbell takes on the lead role of Billy Chapman in a new version of the 1984 slasher movie Silent Night, Deadly Night. The movie, set to open in the United States on December 12, 2025, aims to introduce the bloody Christmas tale to a new generation.
This marks the second remake of the original controversial film, following a 2012 version titled Silent Night. The new movie is written and directed by Mike P. Nelson, known for his work on Wrong Turn and V/H/S/85. Early reviews from its premiere at Fantastic Fest in September 2025 suggest a film that blends horror with unexpected elements of romance and dark humor.
A Fresh Take on a Cult Classic Story
The core story of Silent Night, Deadly Night remains the same: a young boy named Billy witnesses his parents’ murder by a man dressed as Santa Claus, which leads to a traumatic adulthood. As an adult, Billy himself dons the Santa suit and begins a violent spree.
However, director Mike P. Nelson’s remake introduces some key changes. While the 1984 original tied Billy’s violence to childhood trauma and harsh treatment in a religious orphanage, the new film adds a supernatural twist. In this version, the dying original killer Santa passes his murderous urges to Billy, whose actions are then guided by a voice in his head. This shift moves the story away from pure psychological horror toward a different kind of character-driven narrative.
The film also focuses more on a central relationship. Billy’s path crosses with Pamela “Pam” Varo, played by Ruby Modine, a clerk working in her late mother’s store. Their developing romance becomes a core part of the plot, creating a contrast between his violent mission and his longing for connection.
“We are excited about the magic that is being made with both the original team behind the 1984 classic teaming up with a new vision from Mike P. Nelson,” said Yolanda Macias, Chief Content Officer at Cineverse.
Meet the Cast Bringing the Horror to Life
The film assembles a cast blending rising stars and seasoned actors to tell its holiday horror story.
- Rohan Campbell as Billy Chapman: Campbell, known for The Hardy Boys and Halloween Ends, steps into the iconic role of the traumatized killer. He is the third actor to portray Billy on screen, following Robert Brian Wilson in 1984 and Malcolm McDowell in the 2012 remake.
- Ruby Modine as Pamela: Modine plays Pam, the object of Billy’s complicated affections. Her character is described as a colleague on whom Billy develops an unrequited crush, though the new story expands her role significantly.
- Supporting Cast: The film also features Mark Acheson, David Lawrence Brown, and David Tomlinson in key supporting roles.
The project benefits from the involvement of original producers Scott Schneid and Dennis Whitehead, who have been with the franchise since its beginning.
Release Schedule and How to Watch
Moviegoers can mark their calendars for the film’s theatrical debut. The global release is staggered, with different dates for major markets.
- United States & Canada: The film opens nationwide on Friday, December 12, 2025. It will be distributed by Cineverse, the company behind the Terrifier horror franchise.
- United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, and Other Territories: International audiences will also get a theatrical release. StudioCanal, through its new genre label Sixth Dimension, will distribute the film in the UK, Ireland, France, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Benelux, and Poland. The release in these regions is expected around the same December 2025 holiday season.
The movie premiered earlier as a “secret screening” at Fantastic Fest in Austin, Texas, on September 21, 2025, where it first played for festival audiences.
Early Buzz and Critical First Reactions
The first reviews from Fantastic Fest are now public. The film currently holds an 86% positive rating on the review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes, based on 28 critic reviews. This score indicates a generally favorable reception from critics who attended the premiere.
Reviews highlight the film’s distinct tone. Many note it is less a straight remake and more a reimagining that mixes gory slasher moments with dark comedy and a central romance. This approach has drawn comparisons to shows like Dexter and even holiday comedies, setting it apart from the grim original.
“Silent Night, Deadly Night isn’t just borrowing plot elements from these widely disparate pieces of media. Tonally, Nelson’s film has a lot more in common with the sly, self-aware humor of Dexter,” noted a review from HorrorPress.
The consensus suggests the film delivers on holiday-themed violence but wraps it in a package that may surprise fans expecting a simple retread of the 1984 film.
The Original Film’s Lasting Controversy
To understand the interest in a new remake, it helps to know the history of the original. The 1984 Silent Night, Deadly Night was a major source of public outrage. Its marketing, which featured a sinister Santa Claus holding a knife, and its theme of a killer in a Santa suit led to protests from parent groups.
The backlash was so intense that the original distributor, Tri-Star Pictures, pulled the film from theaters just days after its release. Film critics like Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert famously condemned the movie. This controversy, however, helped the film gain a lasting cult following on home video, spawning several sequels and ensuring its place in horror history.
The new remake arrives 41 years after the original shocked audiences, hoping to capture both the spirit of the classic and find new ground for its infamous story.
