sign in
register
Watch
Fandor Amazon Channel Screambox Amazon Channel Peacock Premium
+10
Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale
Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale
+10
JustWatch
Your probable score
?
Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale

Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale

2010
Comedy, Fantasy
1h 24m
Director Jalmari Helander expands his award-winning shorts for this unusual Christmas story set in the frozen beauty of Finland, where local reindeer herders race against the clock to capture an ancient evil: Santa Claus. Single father Rauno (Jorma Tommila) and his young son, Pietari (Onni Tommila), are caught up in the chaos as international scientists dig for artifacts. What they find endangers the entire village.

Directed by:

Jalmari Helander

Screenwriter:

Jalmari Helander, Juuso Helander, Sami Parkkinen, Petri Jokiranta

Starring:

Per Christian Ellefsen, Risto Salmi, Jorma Tommila, Tommi Korpela, Jonathan Hutchings, Rauno Juvonen, Peeter Jakobi, Ilmari Järvenpää, Onni Tommila

Franchise:

Rare Exports

Genres:

Comedy, Fantasy, Action, Horror

AKA:

Krampus

Countries:

Finland, France, Norway, Sweden

Languages:

English, Finnish
imdb IMDb
Update history
Suggest edit

Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale

2010
Comedy, Fantasy
1h 24m
Your probable score
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 47.87% from 639 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

(640)
Compact view
clear
Compact view
Show
Sort
luna6ixLuna6ix
Rated 15 Apr 2020
86
92nd
The Christmas crowd is, more often than not, pretty undiscerning. We resort to watching some pretty terrible, made-for-tv flicks after the annual classics have already been watched. So to see a horror-comedy hybrid that is still a full-blooded Christmas movie, AND it's friggin' awesome to boot, well, I think this one just might make my yearly rotation. A new classic in my book.
Rated 15 Apr 2020
kojilessKojiless
Rated 19 Dec 2012
80
85th
Despite the ridiculous number of shriveled elf penises I was forced to endure... Wait, let me rephrase that. Despite the ridiculous number of shriveled elf penises shoved down my throat... Er... How about, despite the ridiculous number of shriveled elf penises recorded onto a digital film medium and then relayed to me via a countless number of 0s & 1s arranged in a way that when manipulated by a computing device they would once again resemble shriveled elf penises...I really enjoyed this movie.
Rated 19 Dec 2012
timecapsuleTimeCapsule
Rated 17 Dec 2017
75
75th
For Christmas this year order yourself your very own "Santa Claus" from the land of Joulupukki thanks to your Finnish friends to the north. Although more of a black-comedy with a darker Christmas theme than a pure holiday horror, the movie is an entertaining enough time spent with or away from your family this holiday season. That is, if your family is cool with a wee bit of full frontal male nudity.
Rated 17 Dec 2017
macswellMacSwell
Rated 25 Jan 2021
50
25th
There’s so much potential in the evil Santa Claus premise but Jalmari Helander's modern horror fairytale has a lax pace, uneven tone and shortage of genuine peril, stifling any real excitement. More menace and a more wicked sense of humour would go a long way towards establishing this as the cult classic it occasionally flirts with becoming.
Rated 25 Jan 2021
kasperlKasperL
Rated 25 Dec 2017
50
29th
It's surprisingly well-made, and it has possibly the creepiest Father Christmas ever, but the boy isn't very good, and although the ending (which repeats stuff from one of the director's shorts) is enjoyable, the film as a whole isn't likely to blow anybody's mind.
Rated 25 Dec 2017
hotsakehotsake
Rated 10 Dec 2017
54
39th
The set up to this film and the first half are great. The characters are fun and the whole story has an oddball feel to it. The film loses steam in the second half and both the final arc and epilogue are very disappointing. This is one of the films that had great potential but doesn't even come close to fulfilling it.
Rated 10 Dec 2017
x_humanx-human
Rated 31 Dec 2015
82
76th
This film is more of an anti-joke than a comedy and toys with expectations while being unapologetic about it. I think Hitchcock would have loved it; comedy as black as coal. Gore, boobies and laugh-track? You're not going to find such crutches here. This is Finland. The epilogue is a bit out of tone but after seeing the proceedings one can't help but think therein lies the rub. The production, acting, SFX/music and vast majority of the CGI are all splendid. Highly Recommended.
Rated 31 Dec 2015
markjpMArkjp
Rated 23 Dec 2010
65
46th
Building on the two amusing shorts it doesn't quite deliver. The idea is still great and they developed it into something even better, but they don't quite reap the fruits of it in the third act, which really had potential to be the most awesome part of any horrormovie ever made. Sadly it falls short and doesn't achieve this. Also: I know that several countries are calling themselves "the home of the real Santa" but after this one, I think Finland is definitely out of the race.
Rated 23 Dec 2010
mspraguemsprague
Rated 19 Dec 2021
66
51st
Different and entertaining.
Rated 19 Dec 2021
war_machineWar Machine
Rated 19 Dec 2021
78
73rd
Dope-some creepy/scary-goodwithbudget+sellassantaslmao
Rated 19 Dec 2021
gabrielpGabriel_p
Rated 07 Dec 2021
70
44th
It was a nice take but SPOILERS AHEAD we never get to see Santa in action, only those old dudes running around naked :(
Rated 07 Dec 2021
backwardsuitbackwardsuit
Rated 06 May 2018
60
24th
There's a solid oddball concept behind it but the end result seems like a rushed novelty product. It could be a great satire on the commercialization of christmas or a great horror comedy or an engaging holiday fairytale but it doesn't really build on any of those core elements. Its style, tone and structure are a muddled mess. Concise & amusing enough I guess but considering it has kids handling guns and saying fuck while fighting an army of rabid full frontal grampas it should be a lot better.
Rated 06 May 2018
bookhouseboybookhouseboy
Rated 18 Dec 2013
53
67th
A great concept that should have been imported into a better script, but this flawed rarity is a quite enjoyable Christmas tale despite some issues - and the familiarity, both from its filming location in Northern Norway and embracing of stereotypical Northern Finnish males, are an added bonus for those in the know. *Preview*: #13#, popcorn, story, reviews, R3.
Rated 18 Dec 2013
xacviantxacviant
Rated 27 Jan 2013
77
43rd
In the frozen wastes of northern Finland, an excavation team discovers the REAL Santa Claus buried within a mountain--and a young boy who's done his research knows just how much trouble is in store. Like its protagonists, it's a straight-faced, rather grim affair, but the sharp direction and strong acting--especially from Onni Tommila as our hero--see it through, and there's a weird, darkly whimsical coda to send you out smiling. Looks very good, given what was likely a tight budget.
Rated 27 Jan 2013
thedenizenTheDenizen
Rated 10 Dec 2012
65
51st
Killer Santa Claus flick that is more of an oddball dark comedy than a horror film, it never really revels in the gore and the atmosphere is threatening but not scary at all. For a movie that takes its sweet time getting to all the plot points, it rushes though the ending way too fast....still, it had a child character I didn't want to murder, so points for that. The boy was actually weird and funny, and behaved like a real kid, not how a Hollywood writer thinks kids should be.
Rated 10 Dec 2012
sophiesophie
Rated 06 Mar 2012
40
19th
It started out interesting and quite promising but I guess I expected something different. Maybe some things got lost in translation but anyways, I don't think it was too good. Oh, and never in my life did I want to see the naked bums of about 200 old men!
Rated 06 Mar 2012
damildamil
Rated 19 Jan 2012
60
43rd
It wasn't as good as I was hoping for, but I suppose it was entertaining. The ending was pretty anti-climactic though, I felt.
Rated 19 Jan 2012
chrispalmChrisPalm
Rated 04 Dec 2011
73
38th
what the hell did i just see?
Rated 04 Dec 2011
misterlizardmisterlizard
Rated 14 Nov 2011
70
72nd
Great concept let down by the execution. It's an entertaining film but I can't help feeling the Santa myth is rich enough to be subverted in many more ways than they manage to include in this film.
Rated 14 Nov 2011
superargoSuperargo
Rated 24 Jan 2011
67
56th
Earns points for the Spielbergian, child's-eye fantastical tone it takes, but sometimes silly's just silly. Worth seeing, though, and I won't forget the image of a dozen naked old elves stalking our heroes anytime soon.
Rated 24 Jan 2011
panzerwolfpanzerwolf
Rated 02 Jan 2011
72
64th
To fully enjoy this movie, you truly have to be a Finn or one that knows the Finnish people well, as a lot of the atmosphere and banter is based on the nationality. From the constant swearing to the Finnish Äijä-stereotype (with not even one single female character around, mind you) it's an entertaining black comedy that will certainly delight those who generally dislike the "traditional" Christmas hassle.
Rated 02 Jan 2011
tsam543tsam543
Rated 14 Feb 2024
80
44th
I watch this every Christmas. A classic!
Rated 14 Feb 2024
mirelurkMirelurk
Rated 16 Dec 2022
70
49th
Kinda funny and genuinely weird at times without being too forced. Well orchestrated nonsense.
Rated 16 Dec 2022
scribScrib
Rated 08 Jul 2022
65
42nd
Given the premise (evil Santa excavated in Finland), this is surprisingly grounded for most of its runtime... Acting is good, atmosphere is solid, it's genuinely intriguing and horror elements are subtle and minimalist. Unfortunately, it falls apart as soon as it comes face to face with the need to embrace its premise at the end... and finds it hasn't the budget to prop it up. The CGI is very bad, and the way the climax unfolds isn't in keeping with what's come before.
Rated 08 Jul 2022
angrypierreangrypierre
Rated 06 Dec 2021
68
45th
Daft but undeniably entertaining. Significantly more old man junk than you'd expect.
Rated 06 Dec 2021
riririzriririz
Rated 13 Jun 2021
80
63rd
Fun
Rated 13 Jun 2021
witzelsuchtwitzelsucht
Rated 15 May 2021
6
18th
i was not expecting the rare exports to be that
Rated 15 May 2021
nobambanobamba
Rated 29 Dec 2018
50
46th
Nice setting but it falls apart in the end and was a lot more shallow than I hoped. More deadpan parody than comedy or horror.
Rated 29 Dec 2018
indyatmnINDYATMN
Rated 25 Nov 2018
83
69th
The ending is pretty iffy since its unclear why anyone would pay so much for the exports in the title w/out having some kind of evidence of their origin, but other than that, this is a very well told story built on a clever & fantastic twist on a familiar idea. The filmmaker does a great job of building suspense and reveals are delivered in wonderfully surprising ways. The film's so effective I'm genuinely surprised Hollywood hasn't already remade an almost note for note version in English.
Rated 25 Nov 2018
lkklkk
Rated 25 Jul 2018
40
16th
Insufficient plot.
Rated 25 Jul 2018
astrakhanastrakhan
Rated 15 Feb 2018
79
66th
Fantastical action film which sets off in a great direction with a cute 10-year-old with a rifle and homemade body armour amid a world of brutal scenery, brutal weather, and big burly men who chop up reindeer meat. The plot keeps you in the dark more than expected; you can never quite be sure what's supposed to be sinister and what's amusing. They keep the payoff until the final moment and unveil some memorable shots. Quirky, short, rousing, silly, a unique blend that's above par for the genre.
Rated 15 Feb 2018
rittehRitteh
Rated 29 Dec 2017
38
14th
Well, that was different. Needed more backstory.
Rated 29 Dec 2017
evilmangoesEvilMangoes
Rated 24 Dec 2016
95
85th
A-: A wonderfully creepy Christmas flick which rivals Krampus as possibly the greatest Christmas horror film of all time.
Rated 24 Dec 2016
sirrobbieSirRobbie
Rated 19 Dec 2015
60
24th
Like the premise but for some reason I found the boy really annoying and the film itself - just not my cup of tea.
Rated 19 Dec 2015
benoliver999benoliver999
Rated 05 Dec 2015
60
42nd
An entertaining and original Christmas tale, albeit a frustrating one at times.
Rated 05 Dec 2015
peaceanarchyPeaceAnarchy
Rated 05 Oct 2015
68
20th
Not as funny as the short, and for as great as the concept is it doesn't do much with it, but it's amusing enough and a little creepy at times.
Rated 05 Oct 2015
martrynmartryn
Rated 19 Sep 2015
68
44th
If you're looking for a little bit of a different Christmas movie this holiday season, this one certainly fits the bill. It's not a great film, but it's a solid watch when you're in the "Christmas spirit".
Rated 19 Sep 2015
kramyessevKramYessev
Rated 05 Feb 2015
35
13th
Never fully embraces it's comedic potential, and for that reason it fails. I could count the number of times I laughed on one hand, and if I had no fingers.
Rated 05 Feb 2015
snallygastersnallygaster
Rated 23 Dec 2014
39
32nd
Not a whole lot to it beyond the excellent premise, but it's a fun watch.
Rated 23 Dec 2014
baconhussyBaconHussy
Rated 16 Feb 2014
100
89th
One of the coolest Christmas movies I've seen in ages. Had to buy it on DVD actually, lol, when I couldn't watch it streaming anymore.
Rated 16 Feb 2014
mccorpseMcCorpse
Rated 26 Dec 2013
81
55th
really good Christmas movie. Has some creepy horror and black humour. Great acting and writing.
Rated 26 Dec 2013
janusjanus
Rated 22 Dec 2013
45
15th
True to that style of beloved '80s horror and adventure films but the story and characters are very whatever. Not funny enough, scary enough, or otherwise interesting in really any way. Why are women completely absent from this film?
Rated 22 Dec 2013
nick-hamdenNick Hamden
Rated 03 Jun 2013
80
77th
http://gorgview.com/rare-exports-a-christmas-tale
Rated 03 Jun 2013
axleblazeaxleblaze
Rated 18 May 2013
85
59th
A fun, extremely silly movie. What parents should show their kids to calm them down after they find out Santa isn't real.
Rated 18 May 2013
wezzoWezzo
Rated 30 Dec 2012
83
59th
This Finnish look at the dark side of the festive season is an odd, darkly funny movie that defies categorisation. Often horrific, but more frequently wryly amusing, director Helander offers a truly unusual take on Father Christmas, pitched somewhere between Futurama and Black Xmas.
Rated 30 Dec 2012
jfenjfen
Rated 25 Nov 2012
77
10th
A bit anticlimactic.
Rated 25 Nov 2012
filmfreak88filmfreak88
Rated 03 Jun 2012
55
34th
Interesting concept, uneven execution.
Rated 03 Jun 2012
beergardenbeergarden
Rated 28 May 2012
63
10th
The movie takes too long to get interesting, and when it finally does, it ends very anticlimactically.
Rated 28 May 2012
td888td888
Rated 29 Apr 2012
50
41st
And now for something completely different. This is an odd film.
Rated 29 Apr 2012
closefriendCloseFriend
Rated 06 Apr 2012
74
59th
The film has a lot of gorgeous cinematography. It takes a long time to get to the point, but the last 20 minutes just make it all worthwhile.
Rated 06 Apr 2012
dst7175dst7175
Rated 28 Jan 2012
83
90th
Crazy story and I really liked it.
Rated 28 Jan 2012
harukoHaruko
Rated 26 Jan 2012
70
43rd
The first hour rocked! Kinnda wish they'd kept it at that. Surprisingly good acting.
Rated 26 Jan 2012
cinematicespCinematicESP
Rated 23 Dec 2011
82
59th
A hilarious black comedy that is refreshingly subtle, not always exploiting or taking its absurd premise to the extreme. A unique addition to the Christmas canon.
Rated 23 Dec 2011
frogeaterfrogeater
Rated 12 Dec 2011
91
50th
Rare Exports isn't the sinister horror the trailers promised. But it is an incredible Christmas/Family film. It really captures the childlike essence of 80's films such as Gremlins, Goonies and ET. The end sees a dramatic action heavy finale, which surprisingly works. Rare Exports also remembers to have a heart, as the boy struggles with his distant father.
Rated 12 Dec 2011
tinysausagetinysausage
Rated 09 Nov 2011
73
52nd
It's unevenly put together at times, but this is such a delicious inversion of the Christmas story that I thoroughly enjoyed it. Under the black comedy lurks a genuine sense of menace which gives it a great atmosphere.
Rated 09 Nov 2011
slantmagSlantMag
Rated 20 Oct 2011
30
78th
"Santa is one bad mamma jamma in Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale, a yuletide fable that's equal parts sincere, silly, and scary." - Nick Schager
Rated 20 Oct 2011
muutanetmuutanet
Rated 27 Aug 2011
69
63rd
Ingenious idea and pretty nice visuals though you cannot find that majestic mountains from Finland (it was shot in the Northern Norway instead). Tommi Korpela was brilliant as always, but the kid actors were painfully bad. Jalmari Helander spoiled almost totally the promising black comedy script.
Rated 27 Aug 2011
vandelay1Vandelay1
Rated 13 Apr 2011
67
71st
Good Movie
Rated 13 Apr 2011
kavuKavu
Rated 05 Jan 2011
70
48th
Visually pleasing and the adult actors do a good job. The script is rather poor given how good the idea is.
Rated 05 Jan 2011

Collections

Loading ...

Similar Titles

Loading ...

Statistics

Loading ...

Trailer

Loading ...