Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale

2010, Other/Adventure, 1h 24m

106 Reviews 10,000+ Ratings

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critics consensus

Rare Exports is an unexpectedly delightful crossbreed of deadpan comedy and Christmas horror. Read critic reviews

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Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale Photos

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Movie Info

A young boy named Pietari (Onni Tommila) and his friend Juuso (Ilmari Järvenpää) think a secret mountain drilling project near their home in northern Finland has uncovered the tomb of Santa Claus. However, this a monstrous, evil Santa, much unlike the cheery St. Nick of legend. When Pietari's father (Jorma Tommila) captures a feral old man (Peeter Jakobi) in his wolf trap, the man may hold the key to why reindeer are being slaughtered and children are disappearing.
  • Rating:
    R (Some Nudity|Language)
  • Genre:
    Other, Adventure, Comedy, Horror
  • Original Language:
    Finnish
  • Director:
    Jalmari Helander
  • Producer:
    Petri Jokiranta, Knut Skoglund
  • Writer:
    Jalmari Helander
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     limited
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $263.2K
  • Runtime:
  • Distributor:
    Oscilloscope Pictures
  • Sound Mix:
    Dolby Digital

Cast & Crew

Onni Tommila
Pietari
Jorma Tommila
Rauno
Ilmari Järvenpää
Juuso
Peeter Jakobi
Santa
Tommi Korpela
Aimo
Rauno Juvonen
Piiparinen
Per Christian Ellefsen
Riley
Jonathan Hutchings
Brian Greene
Jalmari Helander
Director
Jalmari Helander
Screenwriter
Petri Jokiranta
Producer
Knut Skoglund
Producer
Mika Orasmaa
Cinematographer
Kimmo Taavila
Film Editor
Miska Seppä
Original Music
Juri Seppä
Original Music
Show all Cast & Crew

Critic Reviews for Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale

All Critics (106) | Top Critics (34) | Fresh (95) | Rotten (11)

View All Critic Reviews (106)

Audience Reviews for Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale

  • Dec 07, 2020
    What if evil Santa was buried thousands of years ago in the ice and was then dug up in Finland? Wait -- does that mean John Carpenter's The Thing is Santa? Nope -- wrong pole. I do foresee a crossover with Troll Hunters though: Trolls vs. Santa.
    Mark B Super Reviewer
  • Dec 30, 2019
    This movie wasn't really what I expected it to be. If you're anticipating something on the level of Krampus or other American Christmas horror entries, it's not really that. It is definitely a darker take on Christmas, but it does so with a much cheekier edge. It's a slow-burn movie, more character driven, and based on ideas and storytelling moreso than outlandish imagery and effects. That said, there's some pretty insane stuff near the end, but a lot of this movie is the characters learning the legend and figuring out what's going on for themselves. For that, it still works for me. I enjoyed the characters, and even though I knew what they were going to discover how they discovered it was still fun to watch. It's a weird little film.
    Michael M Super Reviewer
  • Dec 11, 2018
    I love the idea of looking at the darker aspects of the Santa myth, but the movie just never fully realizes its potential.
    Alec B Super Reviewer
  • Sep 11, 2014
    Completely loopy Scandinavian riff on the Santa Claus legend told as a foreboding ghost story! He originally wasn't the rosy-cheeked character he's become for today's commercial marketplace you see, the historic Santa was vicious and posed a particular threat to naughty children. When a wealthy businessman locates the body of the first Santa literally buried under a mountain in Finland, the nearby villagers deal with the ramifications. Well acted and wholly original Christmas escapade never really experiences any flashpoints, preferring a muted and realistic (believe it or not!) approach leading to an inspired, pleasingly ridiculous ending.
    Doctor S Super Reviewer
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