Krampus Desperately Needs a Sequel, and His Horror Anthology Maps Out the Film's Perfect Return

Thanks to a comic book spin-off, the longest possible sequel to Krampus is just waiting to be adapted into a feature film. Nearly a decade after the 2015 horror film was released, fans still look back at the original, wondering why nothing more has come of the incredibly creative holiday film.

Michael Dougherty's 2015 film focused on a small family whose Christmas spirit had long since faded, causing them to be visited by Santa Claus's evil sidekick, Krampus. The film was a hit with fans everywhere, but despite praise from fans and critics, as well as a decent box office haul, the film stands on its own. However, there is another story in the Krampus universe, and it would be the perfect sequel.

Krampus: Shadow of Saint Nicholas Gives fans the best follow

Three new stories with lots of holiday fun

Krampus: Shadow of Saint Nicholas is an anthology comic book that was released a week before Krampus arrived in theaters. Krampus director Michael Dougherty created the stories together with Krampus screenwriters Todd Casey and Zach Shieldswhile the artistic tasks for the four stories were handled by Christian Dibari, Maan House, Stuart Sayger and Michael Monenant, respectively. The first story is about an unnamed mall Santa whose Christmas spirit is at an all-time low when he discovers that the last of his war buddies has passed away.

However, Santa Claus is forced to use his military knowledge when he and a group of orphans are surrounded by a group of Krampus demons during a terrible snowstorm. Santa takes his children to safety and makes a brave attempt to face Krampus himselfonly to apparently perish. The next story follows a police officer who is having a hard time after her sister was killed in a hit-and-run. In a cosmic twist of fate, she encounters her sister's killer and, after a long and bitter confrontation (and a fight with the Krampus elves), finally forgives him.

The third story revolves around a greedy real estate developer who demolished a house where several homeless people were squatting. On Christmas Eve, the developer is taken in by Krampus's minions and shown the tragic lives of the people he threw out into the cold, opening their eyes wide enough to change their ways. The final story ties everything together and reveals that the stories' protagonists are all alive and embracing Christmas with new friends and family. But They all leave a bell near Krampus, to remind them that he's still watching.

Krampus It was a great independent film that left fans excited

A solid holiday film with potential for more

Krampus is not the first Christmas-themed horror film, but it was one of the first major films about the eccentric figure of folklore. The film revolves around the Engel family, especially their son Max, a boy who wanted nothing more than to celebrate Christmas with his loved ones. Unfortunately, Max is at the age where he finally realizes how stressful the holidays really are and realizes the lack of love in his family. After a particularly horrible dinner, an upset Max tears up a letter to Santa and wishes his family would just disappear.

Poor Max gets his wish when the family's neighborhood is hit by a powerful storm, trapping everyone inside, where they are slowly attacked by Krampus' nightmarish (and often funny) minions. Max's grandmother Omi reveals her past experience with Krampus and how he preys on people who have lost faith in others and Christmas. Possibly, Krampus reunites Max's family and leaves him a bellwrapped in Max's torn letter, to remind him of what he wanted.

However, Max confronts Krampus one last time and withdraws his wish, offering to go in his family's place. Krampus realizes Max's remorse and ends the terrible night, making it seem like it was all a dream. On Christmas Day, the Engel family spends the morning together, happily enjoying each other's company. But the Krampus doesn't let them off too lightly, leaving a bell as a reminder as he continues to watch them from his workshop through a snow globe (one of thousands).

Krampus: Shadow of Saint Nicholas It is based on the world the film created

It has all the right ingredients for a sequel

Although the comic book was technically released before the film Krampus: Shadow of Saint Nicholas It could easily work as a sequel to the film. There is nothing that contradicts the film and, in fact, it can be seen as a 'sequel' that takes place during Krampus (After all, if Santa can be all over the world in one night, why can't Krampus?). But besides fitting perfectly Krampuss' continuity, Shadow of Saint Nicholas does many fascinating things which could be explored if adapted into a proper film.

The anthological aspect of Shadow of Saint Nicholas It's a great way to change things up from the original, which focused solely on Engels. Fans of Dougherty's previous anthology work, Tricks and Treats I know he thrives on this formula. With a little reworking and maybe an extra story, Krampus: Shadow of Saint Nicholas could easily be the winter equivalent of Dougherty's Halloween classic. But the best thing a comic book sequel does for a good movie is the things he does to build Krampus' tradition and mythology.

The three stories make it clear that Krampus doesn't just intend to punish children who act up at Christmas time. Krampus comes for all kinds of people whose personal struggles are hurting them, not just on vacation, but in life. Hell, the third story shows that Krampus even changes his techniques, putting the real estate developer in his own twisted version of A Christmas song (which also reveals that Krampus souls no save become your new minions). There are a lot of great ideas in this book that really deserve to be seen by a wider audience.

Film or not, Shadow of Saint Nicholas is a great addition to Krampus

Fans of the film need to check it out

With Krampus With nearly a decade at this point, the chances of a sequel are getting slimmer and slimmer (though in a world of reboots, it's never zero). A film that adapts Krampus: Shadow of Saint Nicholas would be great for those wanting more twisted fun on vacation. While getting a sequel is a long shot, the comic is still a great expansion on Dougherty's original film and anyone who has fun with it Krampus They should add this to their Christmas list this year.