In this section of the Colossus Movie Guide for Violent Night, we talk about themes that help us understand the film.
The themes and meaning of Violent Night
Belief
A movie like The Santa Claus is for kids so the themes are designed to appeal to the mind of a kid. While a movie like Violent Night is for adults. And Violent Night leans into that, exploring the idea of how adults become jaded and lose hope. And how belief is something that can be a difference maker.
For example, Santa Claus opens the movie in a bar. He talks about it potentially being the last Christmas ever. He’s clearly burnt out and frustrated with others and himself. But Trudy’s innocent belief in him is redemptive. Her faith that Santa will help her leads to Santa living up to the image. He remembers his warrior background and why being Santa appealed to him. You can argue that the main reason he started so jaded is because he stopped believing in himself. But once he got his confidence back, it returned his joy of Christmas.
Likewise, Mr. Scrooge is someone who stopped believing in Christmas. Which was tied to the shattered image of his father. Lack of belief in his father led to a negative worldview and that led to Mr. Scrooge becoming a bad, selfish person. His Christmas trauma has fueled decades of anger.
We see it with Trudy’s parents, Jason and Linda. They’ve stopped believing in their marriage. But over the course of the night, their rekindled belief in Santa leads to believing in their relationship.
It even extends to Home Alone. The adults don’t believe Home Alone-like traps will work. But Trudy believes. Sure enough, the traps work.
Whether people realize it or not, Violent Night is pushing them to have a little bit more of a childlike confidence in their view of the world. To bring back some positivity to their outlook.
What are your thoughts?
Are there more themes you think should be part of the Colossus Movie Guide for Violent Night? Leave your comments below and we’ll consider updating the guide.
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