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6.9/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 6.9/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Santa remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Honestly, you probably know if you’re into this kind of thing. If you want a fast-paced thriller, look elsewhere. If you appreciate the kind of old-school melodrama that actually lets a character suffer without trying to 'fix' them, you'll probably stick with it until the end.
It’s not a movie for the impatient. It moves at the speed of someone walking through deep mud, but that’s kind of the point, right? 🥀
There’s this moment early on where the lead, Santa, just looks at the camera—or maybe it’s just the way she’s framed—and you can tell the movie isn't going to give her a break. It’s brutal. Most of these old melodramas feel like they’re rushing to a resolution, but here, the sadness feels like a physical object in the room.
I couldn't help but compare the tone to something like The Woman of Lies. Both films understand that the audience doesn't need to be told how to feel; they just need to watch the walls close in.
The lighting in the scenes where she’s alone? It’s almost claustrophobic. You can see the dust motes in the air, and it makes everything feel slightly grimy, which is perfect for the story. It’s not 'pretty' cinema, it’s honest cinema.
Also, the extras in the background of the street scenes seem completely unaware they’re in a movie. They’re just... milling about, looking confused. It adds this weird, jagged edge to the whole thing that I actually loved. It felt less like a set and more like a real place.
If you liked the vibe of Autumn, you'll get what this film is trying to do. It isn't trying to change the world; it’s just trying to show you a version of it that hurts a little. Maybe don't watch it if you're already having a bad week, though.
It’s flawed. It’s definitely imperfect. But it’s got a pulse.