GREMLINS (1984)

Film of the Day #228 - 25 Days of Christmas Movies #7

Dec 07, 2023

GREMLINS
1984 • Joe Dante
Cast: Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates, Hoyt Axton, Frances Lee McCain, Polly Holliday, Judge Reinhold, Dick Miller, Glynn Turman, Keye Luke, Corey Feldman, Howie Mandel (voice)
Screenplay: Chris Columbus
Cinematography: John Hora
Music: Jerry Goldsmith
Producer: Michael Finnell

Warner Bros.

First of all, keep him out of the light, he hates bright light, especially sunlight, it'll kill him. Second, don't give him any water, not even to drink. But the most important rule, the rule you can never forget, no matter how much he cries, no matter how much he begs, never feed him after midnight.

This movie starts out cute and cuddly and warm and fuzzy. It’s Christmas time, there’s a boy and a girl, and they kind of like each other. There’s a cute dog. A wacky dad. A wackier neighbor. And hey, even a cute, cuddly, warm, fuzzy little creature. But then it all goes to hell. Rand Peltzer gets his son, Billy, a strange creature called a Mogwai as a Christmas gift. An adorably weird creature with big eyes and furry ears called Gizmo. Gizmo comes with three crucial rules: No bright lights, especially sunlight, no water, and most importantly, no feeding after midnight. (I know that last one doesn’t really make sense, but roll with it.) Seems simple, right? However, when one of the rules is inadvertently broken, they find out his little fuzzy creature multiplies, and Gizmo’s new brothers (or… children?) may look the same, but they definitely don’t have his sweet side. These not-so-friendly critters, manage to get their hands on some food after midnight, which metamorphizes them into nasty creatures: the Gremlins. The handful of Gremlins grow exponentially and turn into hundreds of evil demons that terrorize a small midwestern town on Christmas Eve.

This movie is so much fun. Campy Horror/Comedy doesn’t get much better than this. It's the kind of film that throws you headfirst into a wild ride of chaos, blending genres seamlessly to create an experience that's equal parts spooky and hilarious. The film taps into the nostalgia of classic horror elements, like mysterious creatures and ominous warnings. But these creatures, the Gremlins, are both menacing and honestly kind of funny. The blend of horror and comedy isn’t always easy to pull off. While the filmmakers want to make the audience laugh, they also need to emphasize that the characters are in real, legitimate danger. That said, the film doesn't take itself too seriously, embracing its campy nature with open arms.

Gremlins was originally released in the summer of 1984, but much like Die Hard, the question arises: Is Gremlins more than just a summer blockbuster? Is it, in fact, a Christmas movie? Yes. It is. This irreverent film has stealthily earned its stripes as a Christmas movie, a holiday classic that beckons us back year after year to experience its unique blend of festive chaos. The quaint town of Kingston Falls is decked out in holiday splendor. The production design doesn't just nod at Christmas; it wraps the film in tinsel and twinkling lights. From the town square's festive decorations to the snow-covered streets, the Christmas spirit is woven into every frame. (Ironically, it was filmed on a sunny studio backlot.) It's a film where the holidays and horror collide in spectacular fashion. The Juxtaposition against the festive backdrop is what makes the film so much fun.

There's even a character who embodies the worst aspects of both the Grinch and Ebenezer Scrooge: Mrs. Deagle, the town's resident Mr. Potter, and the living embodiment of a yuletide nightmare. She's not just uninterested in the joy of the season; she actively seeks to crush people like a candy cane underfoot. She wants to kill dogs, evict poor families and throw ice water on carolers. Humbug. She's not just stingy with money (she even names her many cats after currency); she's downright mean. There is no holiday redemption for Mrs. Deagle. Her heart does not grow three sizes. Instead, Mrs. Deagle finds herself facing the mayhem of the Gremlins. Showing no favorites, the Gremlins give audiences a reason to cheer as they give Mrs. Deagle exactly what she deserves.

Gremlins is a sly and satirical metaphor for the commercialism that often takes over the Christmas season. It is a cautionary tale amidst the chaos of mischievous creatures, shedding light on the darker aspects of the holiday spirit. Gizmo, the adorable Mogwai, becomes a symbol of the commercialized Christmas gift. As the Peltzer family embraces Gizmo as a seemingly innocent and marketable gift, it reflects the consumer-driven nature of holiday festivities. Despite being warned about the dangers of Mogwai, Rand Peltzer still purchases him as a present. To him, Gizmo isn’t a living being or a pet. He’s a product. And what happens when the rules surrounding Gizmo are broken? All hell breaks loose. By not respecting Gizmo, by treating him as a consumer good, chaos ensues. The Gremlins’ destructive rampage through Kingston Falls is a metaphor for the unchecked consumerism that can turn the season of giving into a frenzy of greed. The Gremlins, like impulsive shoppers, mindlessly consume everything in their path, leaving chaos and destruction in their wake.

The Gremlins themselves are a testament to the artistry and effectiveness of practical effects. Made in the 1980s, CGI was not an option for Joe Dante. The Gremlin effects were created with a mix of puppets and marionettes created by Chris Walas. So in almost all scenes involving Gremlins, human actors had something to see, interact with and react to. Howie Mandel provided the voice and sound effects for Gizmo, while voice acting legends like Frank Welker (“Scooby-Doo”), Peter Cullen (“Transformers”) and Michael Winslow (Police Academy) provided voices and effects for the Gremlins.

While marketed as a family film, it’s violence concerned some parents so, along with Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, it was responsible for the creation the PG-13. However, Gremlins was a big financial success, grossing over $200 million worldwide. It is considered by many one of the more recognizable films of the 1980s and loved by many, like me, as a Christmas staple. A sequel was released in 1990, which was completely insane, but that’s a story for another time.