Christmas horror today is just as prevalent as Halloween horror, with its ties to ancient Pagan rituals, a cold and dark atmosphere, and overall sadness of seasonal depression. One series that comes to mind immediately when thinking of Xmas horror is none other than Jack Frost — killer snowman. This devilish criminal-turned-ice demon is featured in two movies where he causes a ruckus (and a lot of bloodshed) for his arresting officer and his family.
With such a wild concept, you’d think this abysmally-cheap series would be terrible. And you’d be right. A man in a giant snowman costume with an obviously low-budget feel, Jack Frost and its sequel are kin among The Gingerdead Man and ThanksKilling. But peeking out from the felt-like ice crystals of the killer snowman’s body are rays of hope. Quaint sets, unknown actors, and practical effects make Jack Frost one to watch every winter.
Don’t get me wrong, there’s definitely a lot we have to forgive in terms of overall watchability. The way Jack Frost comes to be is straight out of a comic book. We start with a serial killer being transported to his execution site, in blizzard conditions no less, when the transport van gets into an accident with a truck carrying research materials (i.e., chemicals). When his blood mixes with the unknown chemicals and snow, a creature like no other is created — with an ice-cold thirst for blood and revenge. We spend the next hour following his arresting officer (Sheriff Sam Tiler, played by Christopher Allport) and family as they hunt down this chilly killer.
Allport as the sheriff is joined by none other than Shannon Elizabeth (who plays his daughter) in her first feature film. Scott MacDonald plays the titular Jack Frost, among other actors who you may recognize from other roles on film and television. Many of these people are “character actors,” a trait fitting for the characters in this movie; even though they’re in a bunch of other stuff, they’re not really recognizable — which I absolutely love. I much prefer not knowing the character from another movie, because Tom Cruise, Will Smith, and Zendaya will never anyone but themselves (they’re great, I just can’t see them truly in a role). On top of that, they display all the charm and goofiness you’d expect to see in a small town and a small movie. They don’t take it too seriously, which would be hard to do anyway with a snowman attacking someone in the shower. Christmas movies seem to be rife with these kinds of absurd scenarios.
And that brings us to the sequel, Jack Frost 2: Revenge of the Mutant Killer Snowman. Much like the original, our favorite snowman is brought back by a cup of coffee being spilled onto his anti-frozen remains; only this time, he follows Sheriff (now retired) Tiler on his vacation to a sunny tropical island. That doesn’t stop Jack Frost, as his powers now allow him to cause weather to turn to his favor, freezing the island and killing with icicles and mini snowball demons. It’s now or never for Tiler to save the island vacationers and make it out alive.
The same strangeness follows into the sequel. For example, someone is killed by Jack Frost’s carrot nose. Another is killed when he freezes the pool, trapping them inside to drown. And we even get a little drama when Jack Frost sheds a tear for his mortally-wounded snowman demon-baby that had been tasked with attacking the beachgoers. Jack Frost 2 is even more bonkers that the first film, but in such a way that it isn’t annoying or dumb… well, it is dumb, but in a fun way.
Unlike Xmas songs, Xmas movies tend not to be sad, but definitely are gruesome. Then there’s Jack Frost, a simple, funny, crazy series that makes Xmas horror fun to watch. That’s why they’re part of my yearly winter watch! If you like Xmas horror and want something that hits just right (between the macabre serial murders and ridiculous killer holiday treats), then Jack Frost and Jack Frost 2 are the ones to look out for.
Is Jack Frost on your Xmas watch list? Let us know why in the comments!
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