The similarities between this 1980 film and the 2019 "Joker" are striking. Both deal with a mentally disturbed man in a serious and thoughtful manner. Both men come to be identified with fictitious characters; in this film, it is Santa Claus. In both films, the main character kills three people to begin his mayhem. In both films, there are extended narrow escape scenes. In both films, a man is killed with a sharp object embedded in his face, with blood gushing out. In both films, not all of the killings are justified. In both films, one of the victims is a co-worker of the killer who has been very nasty to him in different ways. Finally, in both films, the killer eludes justice and merges with his adopted identity at the end in spectacular fashion. "Joker" is the better film, but "You Better Watch Out" is worth watching. It is not your ordinary horror film.
Review of Christmas Evil
