Saint (Sint) – 2010 Comedy Tinged Festive Horror

Dec 15, 2011
Hari Navarro

Saint (2010) – Dir. Dick Maas - © A-Film

Saint Nicholas takes a break from lugging oranges and goodwill from Spain in this uneven, though keenly imagined, Dutch Horror.

Purists will not doubt balk at the idea of any part of the jolly holiday viewing season being taken over by blood and gore. Further antagonism arrives with the notion that the main protagonist in Dutch director Dick Maas’ 2010 holiday treat “Saint” is none other than Sinterklaas, the saintly present-giver himself. Reimagined here he becomes a ravaging psychopathic killer, hell bent on ruining Christmas with his nasty penchant for dispatching formally perfectly attached heads.

Saint (Sint) Tangles with Tradition

Saint, while visually evocative and technically adept, unfortunately reaches its final credits as a meal half cooked. It blasts out of the gate with great flair and engages the viewer, gripping them in the manic twisting of what is a universally familiar tale. Only to then loose traction, as disbelief is extended to breaking point and promises of great carnage fizzle into nothing.

The narrative gist here is simple, perhaps too much so, as ol’ grumpy Saint Nicholas perpetually returns every thirty-two years to teach the naughty a lesson they will not soon forget. Initially the imagery of this holy warrior on horseback, stalking the back alleys and rooftops of Amsterdam, tempts as a prelude to something ground-breaking and perhaps even iconic to come.

Duly we wind briskly through the usual horror tropes: attractive teens priming themselves for gory death, the ridiculed and maligned cop who ‘knows the real truth’ and the deadly realization that perhaps he should have been listened to after all. But, although there is a decent enough doze of the red stuff, Saint gets itself lost and runs out of anything of substance to offer in what should have been its signature final confrontation.

Dick Maas, A Director to Watch

If it is at all possible see this film in its original language format. The dubbed version’s dialog leaves a lot to be desired and only really succeeds in its dogged ability to distract. Artistically there is much to be enjoyed with Saint, it seamlessly (at times) marries its fantastical elements with reality to great effect. The adrenalin fueled roof skimming pursuit of St. Nicholas atop his trusty white stead is standout, and example of just what tactile storytelling skill this filmmaker has to offer.

Never gelling into the sum of its impressive parts Sint is nonetheless a cool ride. Those looking for something just that tad less wholesome than the prerequisite Christmas viewing slate could do one hell of a lot worse. Check it out.