Silent Night, Deadly Night Part 2
Blu-ray (Collector’s Edition)
Director: Lee Harry
Screenwriter: Lee Harry, Joseph H. Earle
Cast: Eric Freeman, Elizabeth Kaitan, James L. Newman
Distributor: Scream Factory
Rated R | 88 Minutes
Release Date: December 11, 2018

Written and directed by Lee Harry, 1987’s Silent Night, Deadly Night Part 2 is a sequel to Charles E. Sellier Jr.’s controversial 1984 Christmas slasher film in which a deranged young man dressed as Santa Claus goes on a Christmas Eve killing spree.

The sequel picks up a few years after the first movie, with Ricky Caldwell (Eric Freeman), the brother of the first film’s killer, in a mental institution. While being interviewed by his psychiatrist, Dr. Henry Bloom (James L. Newman), the troubled 18-year-old reminisces about his traumatic childhood through a series of lengthy flashbacks.

Silent Night, Deadly Night Part 2 relies heavily on flashbacks, utilizing 25 minutes of footage from the original film. So, if you haven’t seen Silent Night, Deadly Night, no need to panic – Part 2 is like Evil Dead 2 in that it recaps everything from the first film and re-imagines it as more of a black comedy than horror.

It isn’t long until Ricky escapes the mental hospital, murders a Salvation Army Santa, and steals his costume. Ricky’s mission: to finish what his brother Billy started by killing strict disciplinarian Mother Superior (Lilyan Chauvin in flashbacks, Jean Miller in the present), the head of the orphanage where they were raised.

Silent Night, Deadly Night Part 2 isn’t a great film, but it’s one hell of a fun time. Who can forget the meme-creating scene in which Ricky enters a suburban neighborhood and yells, “Garbage Day!” before murdering a man holding, you guessed it, a garbage can. If you’re a fan of holiday horror and haven’t seen Part 2, or its predecessor, seek out the Scream Factory releases pronto!

The Collector’s Edition release features a new 2K scan of an archival theatrical print in its original aspect ratio (1.85:1), complete with tons of new bonus features. There’s a new audio commentary with the co-writer/director and actors Eric Freeman and James Newman and several newly produced featurettes, including “Slay Bells Ring Again: The Story of Silent Night, Deadly Night 2.” This in-depth making-of featurette features interviews with the cast and crew and sheds light on the film’s production.

There’s also “Garbage Days Are Here Again,” a look at the film’s shooting locations; “Ricky Today” – a short film featuring a 2018 interview with Ricky Caldwell; and “I Don’t Sleep” with makeup effects artist Christopher Biggs. In addition to the new materials, there’s a previously released audio commentary with Harry, co-writer Joseph H. Earle, and James Newman, as well as a theatrical trailer.

This is another definitive release of a cult classic from Scream Factory – perfect for anyone on your “naughty” list this holiday season. The Silent Night, Deadly Night Part 2 Collector’s Edition Blu-ray is now available at Amazon. For more reviews of Scream Factory releases, click here.

Trailer

Clip: Garbage Day!

Clip: Santa’s Home

Cover Art

Follow me on Twitter and Letterboxd!