Universal Pictures’ Violent Night is still playing in theaters, but those looking to experience the holiday action comedy at home can now buy or rent the film. As of this week, Violent Night is now available to purchase or rent via various digital storefronts including Prime Video, Vudu, Microsoft’s Movies Anywhere, Apple TV, and more. The full list of digital platforms can be found here.
Unfortunately, the only way to experience the thrill of Violent Night at home is to either buy it for $24.99 or rent it for $19.99. It hasn’t yet arrived on standard streaming services such as Peacock or Netflix where you’d normally be able to watch it for free with a monthly subscription.
Violent Night is a coal-dark holiday action-comedy from 87North, the bare-knuckle producers of Nobody, John Wick, Atomic Blonde, Deadpool 2, Bullet Train and Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw. It’s the festive action movie that many try to argue Die Hard is.
The film stars David Harbor (Black Widow, Stranger Things) as Santa Claus, only this isn’t the jolly ol’ St. Nick we’re used to from the holiday classics. Check out the trailer below and you’ll see what I mean.
When a team of mercenaries breaks into a wealthy family compound on Christmas Eve, taking everyone inside hostage, the team isn’t prepared for a surprise combatant: Santa Claus (David Harbour, Black Widow, Stranger Things series) is on the grounds, and he’s about to show why this Nick is no saint.
Violent Night has appropriately (and hilariously) drawn comparisons to “The Night the Reindeer Died,” a fictional action film featured in the movie Scrooged. The fictional movie was briefly teased in an IBC promo, depicting Santa’s Workshop under siege by a group of psychos. It’s not quite the same plot as Violent Night, but the gun-toting, ass-kicking Santa certainly gives off the same vibes as Harbour’s version in Violent Night.
Violent Night is still playing in theaters as well. The film has performed modestly with about $56 at the global box office. But positive reviews from critics and moviegoers alike suggest the movie could find a warm reception during its home release.
Violent Night sits at a 73% on Rotten Tomatoes with an even better 88% audience score. The critical consensus reads:
"Violent Night isn't as wildly entertaining as its concept might suggest, but for those seeking harder-edged holiday fare, it may be a ho-ho-whole lot of fun."
As of right now, Violent Night is only available to watch at home if you purchase or rent it. Universal hasn’t announced when it will arrive on streaming services; however, the studio’s arrangement with Peacock, the streaming service owned by NBCUniversal, sees its films arrive on the streaming platform as early as 45 days after debuting on the big screen. As Violent Night released in theaters on December 2nd, then it’s possible Violent Night could come to Peacock in mid-January.