Kevin Lewis Sets ‘Kringles’ Tone as Comic-Book Horror — SkimNews
Get the Culture newsletter
Daily culture — film, music, books, the trends and ideas worth your attention. Free.
- Kevin Lewis directed “Christmas at the Kringles,” a comedy-horror film scripted by Zack Imbrogno and starring Ron Livingston, Rachel Bilson, Rob Riggle, Thomas Lennon, Donald Faison, David Wain and Beverly D’Angelo.
- Briarcliff Entertainment is bringing the film to theaters Friday.
- Zack Imbrogno scripted a story in which Mark, played by Ron Livingston, moves his family next door to Nick, played by Thomas Lennon, a patriarch who takes Christmas very seriously and has sinister intentions.
- Ron Livingston asked Lewis about the film’s tone; Lewis answered “Beetlejuice” comic-book horror and said it would not be “Terrifier” or a kill-count film.
- Kevin Lewis said production turned the screenplay into an organic, evolving work, with time limits, budget changes and new ideas prompting detours while the quick-witted cast produced a different take each time.
- Kevin Lewis said Nick’s overzealous holiday behavior recalled a neighborhood father he nicknamed “Father of the Year,” whose elaborate lights, street ramps and bicycle antics he regarded as performative.
- Kevin Lewis said the father-son through-line calls for being present and enjoying the moment, connecting the script’s message to his own children and his effort not to focus only on his filmmaking career.
Why it matters: For Lewis and seven of his cast members, Friday’s theatrical release follows a defined “Beetlejuice” lane, with comedy and blood kept away from the “Terrifier” kill-count approach. The tonal choice keeps the holiday premise centered on comic-book horror and the father-son message about being present.
Ask SkimNews
