Ahead of its screening at Frightfest 2023, we caught up with writer/director Airell Hayles to find out more about the deliciously titled Werewolf Santa.
What can you tell us about the genesis of Werewolf Santa?
The film came about because I think Christmas horror might be my favourite sub genre from movies like Gremlins to Christmas Evil to Silent Night Deadly Night to Krampus. I wanted to look at creating a film that feels like you fell asleep in during a family Christmas movie and had a nightmare- a nightmare that Santa turned into a werewolf on Christmas Eve and was climbing down chimneys to eat families alive! Originally there were scenes where a kid snuck down to sneak a peek at Santa and saw him transform into his wolf form. But budget restraints meant we moved that moment into a park. It was just such a fun premise to work with in general.
What was your thinking behind combining lycanthropy and Christmas?
The thinking by combining werewolves with Christmas was the idea of there being a full moon on Christmas Eve. If Santa took a break in the park to feed his reindeer, got bit by a werewolf and turned into one himself that could be a lot of fun… I think Christmas is a time that can be very stressful for some people. The stress of having to kill a werewolf, with the complication that you shouldn’t really be killing Santa seemed to be a nice way to examine all that Christmas stress!
Why do you think werewolf films are so popular?
I think werewolf movies are so popular because we all have a wild side which we don’t often get to explore fully because of societal structures so these movies let us see that wild side unleashed! They also represent a dangerous side to nature that we have a fantasy we can tame. A Werewolf attack in a movie link’s subconscious to a nasty fight kicking off in a pub. So these movies let us examine our response to instant violence. But mainly these movies are just good scary fun…
Were there any wolf designs you took inspiration from?
I love the wolf designs in The Howling, Thriller and American Werewolf. Werewolves on a budget are never the easiest but we combined a fun Santa/ Werewolf look with Dave Darko’s great animal movement work as a creature performer.
I take it we can expect something quite gory?
There’s some gore in there for sure. Wouldn’t be Christmas without a little blatant bloodshed…
How was the tonal shifting from writing Midnight Peepshow?
There was a major tonal shift from writing this and Co- writing Midnight Peepshow. Different sides of my personality. Horror is a giant umbrella covering so much. I’m excited to make a ghost story next. Funny thing is Werewolf Santa was made before Midnight Peepshow, but is only just coming out now because the Midnight Peepshow producers were working to a specific release deadline. The tonal shifts in horror keep you on your toes. Like working different muscle groups in the gym. Not that I would know…
How excited are you to be screening at Frighfest?
Very excited to be screening a Christmas horror film at the festival that is Christmas for horror fans! I love the event- it’s a special zone slightly outside of reality. And I’m so thankful to our wonderful producer Dovile Kirvelaityte without whom this film wouldn’t exist. Her work on the film was amazing. As was the work of the exceptionally talented DOP Vince Knight and leading lady Katherine Rodden, who I know worked tirelessly around the clock on her role. Everyone involved was exceptional- film making is truly a team sport.
It looks like you are staying in holiday horror with Satan’s Grotto, what can you tell us about that?
Holiday horror is a lot of fun. More to come for sure. The Krampus Calendar (based on the very scary ‘blue whale game) Grotto, about a haunted giant Santa’s Grotto, are on the way. And I plan to team up with the wonderful Jake West on a horror version of Scrooge. Think A Christmas Carol meets Hellraiser…
Werewolf Santa screens as part of Frightfest 2023.
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