Mel Gibson might be getting ready to resurrect Jesus in The Resurrection of the Christ in 2027, but let’s not forget that he’s also a prolific actor. Gibson has starred in such hits as Lethal Weapon, Mad Max, Braveheart, and Signs, making for a truly eclectic career that has seen him portray just about everything under the sun. Yes, that even includes a frustrated Santa Claus in a bizarre and forgotten action thriller that’s now a hit on streaming.
Titled Fatman, this 2020 movie premiered at the height of COVID, so you’re forgiven if you don’t remember it. Gibson stars as Chris Cringle in the offbeat action thriller, portraying a burned-out and apathetic man frustrated with the world turning into an unruly place. Alongside him is his loving wife, Ruth (Marianne Jean-Baptiste), and together the two operate a Christmas present workshop in Alaska that’s struggling to stay open. To make matters worse, a disgruntled kid hires an assassin (Walton Goggins) to kill Santa, adding violence and mayhem to this cinematic mishmash that even includes a military subplot. The official synopsis reads:
“To save his declining business, Chris Cringle, also known as Santa Claus, is forced into a partnership with the U.S. military. Making matters worse, Chris gets locked into a deadly battle of wits against a highly skilled assassin, hired by a precocious 12-year-old, after receiving a lump of coal in his stocking.”
Fatman received a limited theatrical run in November 2020, taking in just $1.7 million before it went to VOD. Now, five years later, it’s the fourth most popular movie on Paramount+, which doesn’t come as that much of a surprise considering we’re close to Christmas, and folks are searching out holiday movies to watch. However, for those looking for a family affair, you best look elsewhere, as Fatman is filled with blood, mature themes, and dark humor that definitely makes it for adults only.
‘Fatman’ Divided Fans and Critics
Like a lot of movies these days, critics and audiences are split down the middle when it comes to Fatman. The film holds just a 43% rating from pundits on Rotten Tomatoes, but its audience score sits much higher at 84%. It seems like a lot of people had fun watching this one, and rightfully so. It’s not nearly as bad as it seems, and has been called everything from “a great take on an old story,” to “a new family tradition.” As one fan put it:
“One of my favorite Christmas movies. It’s an excellent dark comedy with a great cast. Walton Goggins steals the show and Mel Gibson kills it as a disenfranchised Santa. The kid actor was great as well. Lots of laughs for me.”
While Fatman might not be on the same level as something like Violent Night, it’s still a fun action thriller that’s worth checking out this holiday season. Gibson’s performance alone is worth the price of admission, so be sure to add it to your watchlist and check it out on Paramount+ when you have a couple of hours to spare.
- Release Date
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November 13, 2020
- Runtime
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100 Minutes
- Director
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Eshom Nelms, Ian Nelms
- Writers
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Eshom Nelms, Ian Nelms
- Producers
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Danny McBride, Brandon James, Kyle Stroud, Todd Courtney, Gary Raskin, Nadine de Barros, Peter Touche, Jonathan Saba, Robert Menzies, Ben Rosenblatt, David Gordon Green, Bill Bromiley, Alastair Burlingham, Michelle Lang, Buddy Patrick, Jody Hill, Ryan R. Johnson, Lisa Wolofsky
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