This horror parody of a beloved Dr. Seuss classic is saved by the performance of one David Howard Thornton as the titular character.

Twenty years ago, in the town of Newville, Cindy You-Know-Who met Santa Claus. However, when her mother saw Santa as someone unrecognizable, she is killed and Cindy calls the beloved “Santa” a monster. Flash forward to the present day where Cindy meets with her dad and returns home. There, she seems to be okay but learns the town has stopped celebrating Christmas. However, her father is intent on keeping the Christmas spirit up for Cindy.

That night, Cindy’s worst fears has come true. When her father Lou is attacked and killed by a menacing figure, she is convinced it is the same one who killed her mom twenty years ago. However, no one will believe her. Not the mayor. Not the sheriff. Not the deputy who has a crush on her. Someone does eventually believe her as Doc Zeus tells her his wife was also killed by “The Mean One” years ago. Cindy decides if no one will help her destroy the Mean One, she will have to do it herself with help from Doc Zeus. 

When this parody of the classic How the Grinch Stole Christmas was announced, it was quite surprising that it would be Art the Clown himself, David Howard Thornton, who would take on the role of the Mean One. And yet it is not so surprising because he has a connection to the timeless Christmas classic. He had learned movement and style from the late Stefan Karl Stefansson, who played the Grinch in live shows and was best known as Robbie Rotten on the series LazyTown before his passing in 2018 (Terrifier 2 was dedicated in Karl’s memory). So, it would be perfect for Thornton to somehow follow in his mentor’s footsteps and play the horror version of the character.

The film altogether is an okay effort. Krystle Martin is pretty good as the adult Cindy You-Know-Who, who suffers from a little PTSD only to find her worst fears return. It is then we go through the “don’t believe you” phase until there’s the one character who does, in this case it’s John Bigham’s Doc Zeus. Then we go to Cindy training herself to become a warrior against the Mean One. Of course, there are some twists revealed in the story that make you know why no one believes Cindy, much like her 2000 counterpart having a heart for the Grinch in the Ron Howard-take on the tale. 

Of course, with this being a horror film, there have to be some kills. Combining the practical with some over-the-top CGI, the highlight is the Mean One dispatching a group of Santa cosplayers reminiscent of Leatherface dispatching a group of investors in the famous bus massacre scene of 2022’s Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Throughout the film, we see Thornton at his finest as the Mean One in the same mannerisms as his iconic Art the Clown as some of the kills are quite nice, including one character who resembles a certain Maywho while others are a bit on the ridiculous side. 

The Mean One could have been a terrible parody of the Dr. Seuss Christmas tale. However, despite some hokey CGI in some kills, the real saving grace goes to David Howard Thornton. Had someone else played this character, it would not have been as good. 

WFG RATING: C+

Deskpop Entertainment presents a Sleight of Hand Productions film. Director: Steven LaMorte. Producers: Steven LaMorte, Martine Melloul, and Amy Schumacher. Writers: Flip Kobler and Finn Kobler; story by Steven LaMorte. Cinematography: Christopher Sheffield. Editing: Mathew Roscoe.

Cast: David Howard Thornton, Krystle Martin, Chase Mullins, John Bigham, Erik Baker, Amy Schumacher, Flip Kobler, Tina van Berk, Saphina Chanadet.