LogFAQs > #970030666

Inside No. 9 - The Devil of Christmas

(special holiday write-up)

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Importance: 3
Fear: 9
Snake: 10

(22 points)

An episode of Inside No. 9 that originally aired in 2016. Steve Pemberton plays Julian, a wealthy husband who takes his mother, his pregnant wife, and his son on holiday to an Austrian Alpine chalet. After laying eyes on a painting of Krampus, the "Devil of Christmas", the family begins a slow-burning spiral of terror and psychological trauma. The Devil of Christmas is a series of escalating events that turns itself on its head.

It's hard to discuss the Devil of Christmas without ruining the experience for those who haven't watched it. It's not an entirely typical episode of Inside No. 9, and it's certainly not a comedy-focused episode but does still have elements. But this send up to 1970s anthology horror is a morbid yet spellbinding study in the clash between blood and Christmas.

You see - The Devil of Christmas isn't merely some lost 70s horror production or a cheap riff on the legend of Krampus - this is a genuinely disturbing episode of British television. And it's directed with a beautifully joyous attachment by Graeme Harper. It's an episode that works on multiple fronts at all times and only gains yet another layer the second time you watch it - it's perhaps my favorite in an already stellar collection of Inside No. 9 episodes.

Let's discuss each layer 1 by 1.

Layer one: At face value, the actual "The Devil of Christmas" showed in the universe of Inside No. 9 is a lost 1970s horror film that has recently resurfaced. The character Krampus serves as the main antagonist, and we're told of his legend and how he leaves twigs for bad kids in their boots and candy for good kids. And so, the movie plays out much like a film from the era with some of the same tropes. There's a psychological build up to Krampus' reveal, but a last minute bait-and-switch at the conclusion shocks the audience as it's revealed Kathy, Julian's pregnant wife, orchestrated the whole Krampus subplot and left Julian to die so she could be with her other lover instead.

Layer two: Here's where things get a bit more interesting. As, from the start, we know what was recovered is more akin to behind the scenes commentary. We see clips rewound as "The Devil of Christmas" director Dennis Fulcher explains continuity errors, griping about actors and scene choices. Lots of the black comedy comes across from this point of view. We see the director's dissatisfaction with some portions of the film, though also genuine praise for some of his "choices".

Layer three: Here's where the episode becomes truly disturbing and enters a whole other echelon of greatness. In the episode's closing moments, many reveals happen at once. The final moments show Dennis Fulcher as the subject of a police interrogation - "The Devil of Christmas" is no ordinary horror movie, but rather it's a snuff film, and the actress playing Kathy the poor victim. It's a terrible, sinister twist to the episode's narrative that takes things to a whole new level. You're left stunned and horrified, and you're left to ask yourself "how the hell did anyone allow this to happen?" The entire episode changes its entire feel, a rewatch now more akin to a funeral procession as we helplessly watch the carnage unfold.

It's legitimately one of my favorite episodes of any TV show ever. As someone who loves said 1970s horror anthology shows, it was a pleasure to see this episode take on such an authentic look whilst providing some of the most disturbing moments you'll ever bear witness to in a show of this nature. This episode is the best in the entire series, and in terms of Christmas episodes there's almost nothing else like it.

Fantastic work by Jessica Raine (Kathy), Graeme Harper (director) and Steve Pemberton & Reece Shearsmith (writers & actors).

Let me know if you've seen this episode or have watched it for the first time. Do you know of any others like it? I'd love to hear any thoughts or comments you have on the episode or its unique context. Just wanted to do a special write-up on this episode since it's Christmas time and everything.