Fatman (2020)
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Listed by
Imon Reza
Updated
December 07, 2024
Movie Info
Year Released
Directed by
Top Cast
Runtime
100 Mins.
Release date
October 19, 2020
Budget (In USD)
$20,000,000
Revenue (In USD)
$1,651,413
Movie Overview | Fatman (2020)
Movie Title: Fatman (2020)
Tagline: 'Tis The Season To Get Even.
Tagline: 'Tis The Season To Get Even.
Synopsis
A rowdy, unorthodox Santa Claus is fighting to save his declining business. Meanwhile, Billy, a neglected and precocious 12-year-old, hires a hitman to kill Santa after receiving a lump of coal in his stocking.
Storyline
A Christmas gift workshop is run by Chris Cringle and his wife Ruth on an ancient, remote farm close to North Peak, Alaska, a tiny village. Since Christmas is a significant economic boost, the US government, which retains an interest stake in Chris's firm, begins to reduce its subsidies as he struggles with diminishing revenue over time as a result of youngsters becoming more aggressive. US military Captain Jacobs is dispatched to offer a two-month contract for creating jet fighter components in order to make up for Chris's lost income, but the proposal is flatly rejected. Chris's concerns are disregarded by the liaison agents, who suggest that the government's subsidies would probably drop the next year. Chris reluctantly agrees to their offer only this once when Ruth is able to lift his spirits.
Living with his old money grandma, Billy Wenan is an amoral and poisonous youngster who is the epitome of a wicked child, doing countless heinous deeds against individuals he views as inferior. Billy gets a lump of coal from Chris on Christmas Eve. Furious, he vows retaliation and sends his own hitman, Jonathan Miller, to kill Chris. A fierce childhood enmity between the two men, Miller begins a murderous rampage that ends when he follows Chris to his private residence after waiting for him to pick up his mail from the Postal Service. After following Chris to the farm, Miller assassinates the US Army soldiers and enters the workshop, when an elf employee sounds the alarm. Before Miller murders him and detonates the workshop, Jacobs is able to evacuate the employees.
Chris battles Miller and prevails, but Miller uses a concealed blade to injure Chris and then shoots him in the head, killing him. After that, Ruth murders Miller, and Chris gets well from his wounds. Going back on Miller's assignment, Chris and Ruth visit Billy and stop him from contaminating his grandmother's milk in order to hide his check forgeries. Furious, Chris acknowledges that he has become slack in his handling of kids like Billy and threatens to come for any aggressive kids at night if they don't stop hurting others. With fresh hope for the future, Chris, Ruth, and the elves set about reconstructing the workshop at the farm, making it larger and better.
Other Info
Writer
- Eshom Nelms,
- Ian Nelms
Screenplay
- Eshom Nelms,
- Ian Nelms
Producer
- Todd Courtney,
- Nadine de Barros,
- Michelle Lang,
- Robert Menzies,
- Lisa Wolofsky
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Editor review
1 review
A Gritty and Unconventional Holiday Thriller
(Updated: January 04, 2025)
Overall rating
3.4
Entertainment Factor
3.0
Story
3.0
Actors Performance
4.0
Cinematography
4.0
Sound Track
3.0
In "Fatman," Mel Gibson shines as a gritty, low-income Santa Claus who operates out of a rural county, far from the traditional North Pole setting. The plot takes a dark turn when a disgruntled and spoiled young boy, furious over receiving a lump of coal for Christmas, hires a hitman to eliminate Santa. This hitman, portrayed with chilling intensity by Walton Goggins, has his own vendetta against Santa, adding layers of tension to the story.
Gibson’s portrayal of a weary, world-weary Santa brings a raw and unfiltered edge to the character, making him relatable yet formidable. Despite the film’s technical proficiency in terms of setting, atmosphere, and cinematography, the storyline stretches the bounds of credibility, especially in its depiction of the over-the-top assassination plot.
While Gibson’s performance is commendable, the chemistry between him and Marianne Jean-Baptiste, who plays his supportive yet exasperated partner, falls flat, lacking the spark needed to elevate their on-screen relationship. However, the dark humor provided by the elves and the Machiavellian antics of the spoiled child add a unique flavor to the film.
"Fatman" is a holiday movie that’s not for the faint of heart or young children, given its violent themes and gory scenes. It’s an unconventional take on the Santa Claus mythos that might intrigue some viewers with its bold premise but ultimately leaves much to be desired in coherence and emotional depth.
User reviews
Fatman (2020): A Darkly Entertaining Holiday Ride
(Updated: January 04, 2025)
Overall rating
3.6
Entertainment Factor
4.0
Story
4.0
Actors Performance
4.0
Cinematography
3.0
Sound Track
3.0
Rating: 3.5/5
Best Actor: Walton Goggins
Best Actor: Walton Goggins
Fatman (2020) takes the holiday movie genre on an unexpected detour, blending dark comedy, action, and a touch of the absurd. This unconventional take on the Santa Claus mythos offers an amusingly gritty twist but struggles to fully deliver on its intriguing premise.
The story follows Mel Gibson as a grizzled, down-on-his-luck Chris Cringle, who is dealing with a dwindling belief in his services and financial troubles. Things spiral out of control when a spoiled rich kid hires a hitman (Walton Goggins) to kill Santa after receiving coal for Christmas.
Gibson brings a surprisingly grounded and world-weary take to his role, delivering a layered performance that makes Chris feel both mythical and human. However, it’s Walton Goggins who truly shines as the hired assassin. His menacing, dry humor and underlying trauma add depth to a character who might otherwise feel like a cartoonish villain.
The film’s greatest strength lies in its ability to juxtapose holiday cheer with bleak realism. Directors Eshom and Ian Nelms create a unique tone, but the script occasionally falters, with pacing issues and underdeveloped subplots. The blend of genres doesn’t always mesh seamlessly, leaving the film feeling uneven at times.
Still, Fatman is an undeniably creative take on a holiday legend, offering a fresh alternative to the usual festive fare. It may not be for everyone, but for those who enjoy dark humor and a twisted holiday tale, it’s worth a watch.
Verdict: Fatman is a quirky, entertaining ride led by strong performances, especially Goggins, though it doesn’t quite live up to its full potential.
A Dark and Twisted Christmas Tale Lacking Credibility
(Updated: January 04, 2025)
Overall rating
2.0
Entertainment Factor
2.0
Story
2.0
Actors Performance
2.0
Cinematography
2.0
Sound Track
2.0
The Fatman: It’s been a long time since Santa left me gifts under the tree but I sure as hell would not want Mel Gibson doing this.
Long story short: a spoiled, precocious brat gets a lump of coal for Xmas, so he hires a hit man to take out Santa. Said hit man has also been short-changed by Santa and he has a unique hobby to make up for it. No spoilers here… Technicals, setting, atmosphere and photography are good. Just no credibility in the plot. Mel Gibson played himself. Tired, cynical, ageing, washed-up, overweight, bitter etc. Walter Goggins absolutely stole the show as the assassin. He has energy and the camera loves him. I loved him in Justified with Timothy Olyphant and here he shines as well, perhaps playing the roles closest to his heart.
Sadly, although Marianne Jean-Baptiste is a good actress, there was utterly no spark or charisma between her and Mel Gibson. She looked utterly bored and indifferent. It’s as if they were acting in two different spheres. Could be…. The story is dark and murderous and there’s lots of gore. On a lighter note, the elves are hilarious! The spoiled brat is devilishly Machiavellian. 2/5
Long story short: a spoiled, precocious brat gets a lump of coal for Xmas, so he hires a hit man to take out Santa. Said hit man has also been short-changed by Santa and he has a unique hobby to make up for it. No spoilers here… Technicals, setting, atmosphere and photography are good. Just no credibility in the plot. Mel Gibson played himself. Tired, cynical, ageing, washed-up, overweight, bitter etc. Walter Goggins absolutely stole the show as the assassin. He has energy and the camera loves him. I loved him in Justified with Timothy Olyphant and here he shines as well, perhaps playing the roles closest to his heart.
Sadly, although Marianne Jean-Baptiste is a good actress, there was utterly no spark or charisma between her and Mel Gibson. She looked utterly bored and indifferent. It’s as if they were acting in two different spheres. Could be…. The story is dark and murderous and there’s lots of gore. On a lighter note, the elves are hilarious! The spoiled brat is devilishly Machiavellian. 2/5
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