Forget sugarplums and sleigh bells; the latest look at the Silent Night, Deadly Night remake promises a very naughty list this holiday season, bringing back the iconic Killer Santa with a brutal new vision.
TL;DR (Too Long; Didn't Read)- A full, unrated trailer for the Silent Night, Deadly Night remake has dropped, hinting at a truly savage Christmas horror.
- Rohan Campbell (from Halloween Ends) stars as Billy Chapman, the traumatized killer Santa, with Ruby Modine also in the cast.
- The film, directed by Mike P. Nelson, hits theaters on December 12, 2025, ready to ruin your holiday cheer.
Deck the Halls with Blood: A New Killer Santa is Coming to Town

Alright horror fans, mark your calendars and maybe hide your Christmas decorations, because the official trailer for the new Silent Night, Deadly Night remake is finally here, and it's looking absolutely gnarly. If you thought the original 1984 film was controversial, this reimagining from Cineverse and Bloody Disgusting is ready to crank up the holiday fear to eleven, promising a darker, bloodier, and completely unrated take on the iconic Killer Santa story.
For those unfamiliar, the premise is simple but terrifying: A young boy named Billy witnesses his parents' brutal murder on Christmas Eve by a man dressed as Santa Claus. Years later, deeply scarred and fueled by rage, Billy himself dons the jolly red suit, turning the most wonderful time of the year into a blood-soaked rampage. This new version leans into that setup with a chilling intensity, delivering on the promise of "calculated, chilling violence."
Meet the New Slasher Santa and His Naughty List Cast

Stepping into the blood-red boots of Billy Chapman is Rohan Campbell, who you might recognize as Corey Cunningham from Halloween Ends. Director Mike P. Nelson was clearly impressed with Campbell's chops, stating that he "makes Halloween Ends" and that his performance was "incredibly good." Nelson added, "I knew he had the energy, I knew he had the chops to do it." Sounds like we're in for a compelling, albeit terrifying, lead performance.
Joining Campbell in the cast are Ruby Modine (known for Happy Death Day), playing Pamela, a colleague on whom Billy develops an unrequited crush. Other cast members in unspecified roles include Mark Acheson (Elf, ironically enough), David Lawrence Brown (The Pinkertons), and David Tomlinson (Fellow Travelers). It'll be interesting to see how their characters fit into Billy's twisted Christmas narrative.
"Have you been naughty?"
– Billy, the Killer Santa (from the film's synopsis)
Bringing a Controversial Christmas Classic Back from the Dead

The original Silent Night, Deadly Night from 1984 caused a massive uproar. Released during the heyday of '80s slashers, its depiction of a killer Santa was too much for many parents' groups, especially since it was advertised during family-friendly TV shows. The protests were so intense that the distributor pulled the film from theaters just a week after its release. Funnily enough, that week it actually outgrossed another little horror flick you might know: A Nightmare on Elm Street!
This isn't the first time the film has been revisited; there was another remake back in 2012. But this 2025 version, directed and written by Mike P. Nelson (who also helmed the Wrong Turn reboot and a segment of V/H/S/85), promises to be a fresh, gritty take. It's already building buzz, with a world premiere at Fantastic Fest on September 21 reportedly earning an 85% on Rotten Tomatoes. Early reactions even praised it as a "Christmas love story slasher," which certainly piques our interest!
Behind the Bloody Scenes: Who's Making This Holiday Horror Happen?

Bringing this twisted tale to life is a team that knows a thing or two about horror. The film is produced by Scott Schneid and Dennis Whitehead, who were actually co-executive producers on the original 1984 film, so they know the legacy they're building upon. They're joined by Jamie R. Thompson, Erik Bernard, Jeremy Torrie, and Tanya Brunel. Executive producing duties are handled by a long list of industry names, including Yolanda Macias, Erick Opeka, Steven Schneider, and Brad Miska, among others. Notably, some of the executive producers, like Matthew Helderman, G. Brandon Hill, and Yolanda Macias, also worked on the highly successful (and equally brutal) Terrifier franchise, which should give you a good idea of the kind of intense, unrated horror they're aiming for.
Cineverse, its horror division Bloody Disgusting, and Iconic Events Releasing are teaming up to unleash this new vision in theaters. Financed by Bondit Media Capital and Royal Bank of Canada, it's clear there's a serious commitment to making this a memorable (and terrifying) holiday film experience.
What to Expect from This Year's Ultimate Naughty List

From the trailer alone, it's clear that Silent Night, Deadly Night isn't holding back. We're expecting brutal kills, plenty of snowy carnage, and a tone drenched in bloody dread. The director has even hinted at comparisons to shows like Dexter and films like Venom, suggesting a deeper, more complex look at Billy's motivations alongside the visceral horror. If you're a fan of old-school slasher energy mixed with modern horror intensity, this is definitely one to put on your must-watch list.
Just remember, this isn't one for the faint of heart, or for the kids! Make sure they're tucked away in bed before you settle in for what promises to be one of the most disturbing, yet exciting, horror releases of the holiday season. Get ready to spread some holiday fear!
Frequently Asked Questions About Silent Night, Deadly Night

- Various movie news outlets, including Bloody Disgusting, Cineverse, ScreenRant, First Showing, Rue Morgue, Horror Society, and JoBlo, which published details and trailers for the film.