Bad Santa

Movie Details:

Cast & Characters:

• Billy Bob Thornton as Willie T. Soke
• Tony Cox as Marcus Skidmore
• Lauren Graham as Sue
• Brett Kelly as Thurman Merman
• Lauren Tom as Lois Skidmore
• John Ritter as Bob Chipeska
• Bernie Mac as Gin Slagel
• Alex Borstein as Milwaukee Mother
• Ajay Naidu as Hindustani Troublemaker
• Billy Gardell as Milwaukee Security Guard
• Bryan Callen as Miami Bartender
• Tom McGowan as Harrison
• Max Van Ville as Skateboard Gang Leader
• Octavia L. Spencer as Opal
• Ryan Pinkston as Shoplifter
• Matt Walsh as Herb
• Ethan Phillips as Roger Merman
• Sheriff John Bunnell as Police Chief
• Cloris Leachman as Granny
• Kerry Rossall as Policeman
• Briana Norton as Pinball Girl

Storyline:

A miserable conman and his partner pose as Santa and his Little Helper to rob department stores on Christmas Eve. But they run into problems when the conman befriends a troubled kid.

About Bad Santa Movie:

Bad Santa is an American Christmas black comedy crime film directed by Terry Zwigoff, featuring a screenplay by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa. The film stars Billy Bob Thornton in the titular role, alongside a supporting cast that includes Tony Cox, Lauren Graham, Brett Kelly, Lauren Tom, John Ritter, and Bernie Mac. Notably, this film marks John Ritter’s last live-action appearance before his death in September 2003, and it is dedicated to his memory.

Plot Summary

The film follows Willie T. Soke (Thornton), a misanthropic and alcoholic conman who poses as a department store Santa each Christmas season. Alongside his dwarf accomplice Marcus (Cox), Willie uses his Santa disguise to rob shopping malls on Christmas Eve. However, as the years go by, Willie’s reliability diminishes due to his heavy drinking and self-destructive behavior.

This year, Willie and Marcus are hired at a mall in Phoenix, Arizona. Willie’s crude behavior shocks the mall manager Bob Chipeska (Ritter), who is concerned about the impact on the children. During his time as Santa, Willie meets Thurman Merman (Kelly), a naive and overweight boy who believes he is genuinely Santa Claus. Thurman’s innocence and kindness lead Willie to form an unexpected bond with him.

As the story unfolds, Willie’s plans are complicated by various factors: his burgeoning relationship with bartender Sue (Graham), his growing attachment to Thurman, and the interference of mall security chief Gin Slagel (Mac). Tensions rise when Marcus becomes frustrated with Willie’s recklessness and plots to kill him to take the loot for himself.

On Christmas Eve, chaos ensues as Willie attempts to execute their heist while grappling with personal demons and newfound responsibilities. The film culminates in a series of comedic yet dark events that test Willie’s character and resolve.

Production Details

Bad Santa was released in North America on November 26, 2003, and was screened out of competition at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival. The film received positive reviews for its dark humor and Thornton’s performance, which was praised for its depth and complexity.

An unrated version was later released on DVD in March 2004 and on Blu-ray in November 2007 as Bad(der) Santa. A director’s cut DVD was also released in November 2006.

Reception

The film was both a critical and commercial success, grossing approximately $76 million worldwide against a budget of $23 million. Critics lauded its subversion of traditional Christmas themes through its irreverent humor and character-driven storytelling.

Legacy

Bad Santa has since become a cult classic during the holiday season, often regarded as one of the most unconventional Christmas films. Its blend of comedy and crime, along with its exploration of themes like redemption and friendship amidst chaos, has solidified its place in modern holiday cinema. A sequel titled Bad Santa 2 was released on November 23, 2016; however, it did not achieve the same level of acclaim or success as the original.

Budget & Box Office Collection: