Pro-wrestlers are performers. Not an accusation that wrestling is “fake,” but an acknowledgement that these incredible athletes are skilled actors. It comes as no surprise that many turn to film. More famous examples include Andre the Giant (aka André René Roussimoff) and his role in The Princess Bride. Or how about The Rock (aka Dwayne Johnson) and his booming career as an actor? However, you may not know that Bill Goldberg, one of the most popular wrestlers of the ’90s, also had a brief film career. That includes the utterly insane, deliciously entertaining killer Santa film, Santa’s Slay.
The one and only feature from writer/director David Steiman, Goldberg stars as the titular murderous Santa. The result is an absurd tale that thrives on the actor’s buffed-out, completely unhinged performance. Never seen it? Give yourself the gift of some holiday horror cheer and stream Santa’s Slay for free on Tubi now.
What’s Santa’s Slay About?
In the world of Santa’s Slay, Santa (Goldberg) is no jolly giver of toys. He’s a hulking demon who lost a bet with an angel, forced to play the role of a holiday icon opposite his real persona. Now free, Santa looks to wreak havoc on a small town. All that stands in his way is a teenager, Nicolas (Douglas Smith), his quirky grandpa (Robert Culp), and his crush, Mary (Emilie de Ravin).
What Others Are Saying:
At Dread, Matt Donato described Santa’s Slay as “a Christmas horror smackdown,” adding that the film is a “true Christmas movie classic.”
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Obviously, Santa’s Slay hasn’t reached the status of “Christmas classic,” but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t deserve the moniker. That’s because, despite the killings and the gore, Steiman’s film contains all of the holiday hallmarks you’d find in your standard Christmas movie. There’s a sweet, winter romance developing between Nicolas and Mary. The emphasis on the importance of family is seen through Nicolas and Grandpa. And most importantly, a sense of joy, selflessness, and giving that reflects what the holidays are all about. There’s even a stop-motion scene that calls back to holiday classics. Other killer Santa films tend to live in dreary darkness, but this one smashes through seasonal depression to deliver a sackful of laughs and heart.
Much of the delight that comes with Santa’s Slay is thanks to Goldberg. In the first (and most memorable) scene of the film, Santa crashes a dinner party hosted by a cast of surprising cameos. Included amongst them are Rebecca Gayheart (Urban Legend), Chris Kattan (House on Haunted Hill), and Fran Drescher (“The Nanny”). Goldberg’s Santa hollers, pummels, and sets Fran’s hair on fire. His roided-out take on the big guy in red smashes through the rest of the film with that same energy. You never quite know what you’re going to get from the beefy Santa, only that it will be absolutely ridiculous.
There are far too few of you who have experienced the utter joy of Santa’s Slay. Unwrap the gift that keeps on giving and stream it for free on Tubi. And for more recs like this, follow me on Bluesky @werematt.
Categorized: Streaming News