A yuletide ghoul is coming to town

CEBU, Philippines – “He knows if you’ve been bad or good, so be good for goodness sake…” goes the classic Christmas carol, “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.” But what if the lyrics were about something even more terrifying than a large bearded man with a sack of gifts?

That’s the basis of new film which will more likely fill you with festive fear than cheer. Universal Pictures and Legendary Pictures’ “Krampus,” a darkly festive tale of a yuletide ghoul, reveals an irreverently twisted side to the Christmas holiday.

Directed by Michael Dougherty, “Krampus” stars Adam Scott, Toni Collette, Emjay Anthony, Allison Tollman, David Koechner, Conchata Ferrell, Stefania Owen and Krista Stadler.

When his dysfunctional family clashes over the holidays, young Max (Emjay Anthony) is disillusioned and turns his back on Christmas. Little does he know, this lack of festive spirit has unleashed the wrath of Krampus: a demonic force of ancient evil intent on punishing non-believers.

All hell breaks loose as beloved holiday icons take on a monstrous life of their own, laying siege to the fractured family’s home and forcing them to fight for each other if they hope to survive.

Opening across the Philippines on December 2, “Krampus” is distributed by United International Pictures through Columbia Pictures.