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Silent Night, Deadly Night
"Silent Night, Deadly Night—while a very fun movie—has a few puzzling plot points and gaps in the progression of things, thanks in part to two time jumps (from 1971 to 1974, and then again to 1984). These issues were present in the shooting draft of the script. While he remains incredibly faithful to the film’s events (dialogue is repeated verbatim and every scene is accounted for), Munoz has added quite a bit of texture and plotting between these moments. This not only makes the story smoother and adds some sympathy to Billy’s plight, but also ensures a reader who has seen the movie a dozen times can still be entertained with all the new material."
From Fangoria review, published 12/12/2023
From Fangoria review, published 12/12/2023
312 pages, Hardcover
Published December 1, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
September 22, 2024
This movie traumatized me as a kid. I remember seeing it on the shelf at the video store with a warning and my parents refusing to rent it for me. They eventually allowed me to watch it and I remember it really freaking me out. So, when I saw this novelization I had to check it out. Armando Munoz does an outstanding job at taking a wild film and making an even crazier novel. His version turns something that gave me nightmares as a kid into a bonkers dark comedy. SNDL is an entertaining novelization of the movie.
November 23, 2024
This book was truly vile in sections but in a way that reminded me of older extreme horror as opposed to the newer slate of 'splatterpunk'. It was nasty but there was a point to the nastiness.
Silent Night, Deadly Night as a film creates a structure that impacted slasher literature in many ways. The character study elements are something uniquely suited to the novel format and Munoz does a great job tackling them in an official novelization.
Whilst not perfect, elements added can be extremely skeevy in ways that I'm not always comfortable with, and sometimes the tonal shift between 'serious character study' w/ 'campy slasher movie' conflict.
All that being said though...this is a book I really liked and I don't know if I feel good admitting that hahahaha.
Silent Night, Deadly Night as a film creates a structure that impacted slasher literature in many ways. The character study elements are something uniquely suited to the novel format and Munoz does a great job tackling them in an official novelization.
Whilst not perfect, elements added can be extremely skeevy in ways that I'm not always comfortable with, and sometimes the tonal shift between 'serious character study' w/ 'campy slasher movie' conflict.
All that being said though...this is a book I really liked and I don't know if I feel good admitting that hahahaha.
March 4, 2024
Review to come.
December 15, 2025
Thanks to Titan Books for the physical ARC. I liked the original, and was excited for the remake, so I was happy to receive this novelization.
While I have seen multiple sites list this as a novelization, I would have to say that this is perhaps, truly the first “original novel” based on a screenplay that I have ever read. With added scenes, character backgrounds and pasts, character thoughts, and even added details, motivations, and entire scenes. And while that is of course interesting, this one didn’t exactly work for me. Much like the added scenes in the novelization of The Last Jedi novel, when I come to the book version of a story it’s because I want more, not different.
Billy is traumatized during a visit with his grandfather when the man grabs him and tells him Santa punishes the naughty children. And although this is technically something millions of parents actually do tell their children, Billy’s grandfather means something far worse than coal. On the ride home, right after Billy asked his mother if she’s ever been naughty, a man comes and ends his parents’ lives. After years of abuse in a Christian orphanage, Billy finally snaps one night when he’s forced to dress as his biggest fear. Once he has the outfit on, he becomes Santa, and when he sees naughtiness happen right in from of him…well Billy was taught that Santa punishes.
There is an air and style to the author’s voice that did bring to mind King. It has a flow to it that I feel like I rarely see anymore these days. For that, it was enjoyable. And for the parts of this novel that actually followed the script, I really enjoyed them. It was everything else that rubbed me the wrong way.
The killer Santa, Billy’s parents, and Billy’s grandfather all get a much longer explanation than I feel they should. An opening scene, which to be frank is about 15 minutes max, takes up the first 100 pages of the book. The grandfather’s dementia and antics felt very similar to The Rule of Jenny Pen (sans the doll) and I didn’t feel like it added anything other than length. It was almost so drawn out that I felt equally as traumatized as Billy.
His time at the orphanage, which was already bad on screen, is easily quadrupled by the author. Mother Superior goes from a controlling, cruel, and dangerous keeper to a brutal and sexual sadist. Sister Margaret, who I always saw as a motherly protector (at least in desire) is transformed into a devious and pedophilic abuser that sees Billy—as the novel puts it multiple times—as “her man.”
I don’t know if there was further context given from the script/writers, but much of what was added to me seemed to take away from the original thing itself as a whole, and made it less enjoyable. I expected some additional information and thoughts, to see how the characters were taking in the scenes in the movies with insight we would never receive elsewhere, but this is something else. The author took a classic 80s slasher and turned into more of an extreme horror (admittedly not my bag), focusing often on the disgusting.
I really did want to like this more. I even rewatched the movie in preparation of finishing this, and it honestly just made the shortcomings more obvious.
While I have seen multiple sites list this as a novelization, I would have to say that this is perhaps, truly the first “original novel” based on a screenplay that I have ever read. With added scenes, character backgrounds and pasts, character thoughts, and even added details, motivations, and entire scenes. And while that is of course interesting, this one didn’t exactly work for me. Much like the added scenes in the novelization of The Last Jedi novel, when I come to the book version of a story it’s because I want more, not different.
Billy is traumatized during a visit with his grandfather when the man grabs him and tells him Santa punishes the naughty children. And although this is technically something millions of parents actually do tell their children, Billy’s grandfather means something far worse than coal. On the ride home, right after Billy asked his mother if she’s ever been naughty, a man comes and ends his parents’ lives. After years of abuse in a Christian orphanage, Billy finally snaps one night when he’s forced to dress as his biggest fear. Once he has the outfit on, he becomes Santa, and when he sees naughtiness happen right in from of him…well Billy was taught that Santa punishes.
There is an air and style to the author’s voice that did bring to mind King. It has a flow to it that I feel like I rarely see anymore these days. For that, it was enjoyable. And for the parts of this novel that actually followed the script, I really enjoyed them. It was everything else that rubbed me the wrong way.
The killer Santa, Billy’s parents, and Billy’s grandfather all get a much longer explanation than I feel they should. An opening scene, which to be frank is about 15 minutes max, takes up the first 100 pages of the book. The grandfather’s dementia and antics felt very similar to The Rule of Jenny Pen (sans the doll) and I didn’t feel like it added anything other than length. It was almost so drawn out that I felt equally as traumatized as Billy.
His time at the orphanage, which was already bad on screen, is easily quadrupled by the author. Mother Superior goes from a controlling, cruel, and dangerous keeper to a brutal and sexual sadist. Sister Margaret, who I always saw as a motherly protector (at least in desire) is transformed into a devious and pedophilic abuser that sees Billy—as the novel puts it multiple times—as “her man.”
I don’t know if there was further context given from the script/writers, but much of what was added to me seemed to take away from the original thing itself as a whole, and made it less enjoyable. I expected some additional information and thoughts, to see how the characters were taking in the scenes in the movies with insight we would never receive elsewhere, but this is something else. The author took a classic 80s slasher and turned into more of an extreme horror (admittedly not my bag), focusing often on the disgusting.
I really did want to like this more. I even rewatched the movie in preparation of finishing this, and it honestly just made the shortcomings more obvious.
December 29, 2024
This was SO surprisingly good. Movie-to-book adaptations often aren't, but this was superb.
March 19, 2024
This novelization made a pretty bonkers movie even more bonkers.
July 16, 2025
After reading Armando Muñoz’s Silent Night, Deadly Night novelization, I saw a kind of poetic tragedy to the story that I never really picked up on from my multiple viewings of its 1984 film counterpart. Gruesome, nauseating, and sick, yes, but still oddly beautiful and satisfying poetry. Billy Chapman gets a fleshed-out arc here, diving into his abused mind, and for a character who eventually commits such horrific violence, Muñoz’s talented exploration of him makes for a deeply fascinating protagonist. But that very arc of Billy’s is what has always separated Silent Night, Deadly Night from its slasher kin. Other characters receive layers, too — Billy’s demented Grandpa; the original killer Santa who traumatized Billy by killing his parents; Billy’s coworkers at Ira’s Toy store; the diabolical sadistic Mother Superior; and the sinful Sister Margaret (oh, Sister Margaret, you are vile!). Some of the additions don’t always work (Billy’s eventual rampage loses suspense from such an absurd bodycount) but when Muñoz is on his bloody trail to unravel Billy’s psyche, Silent Night, Deadly Night’s novelization is nothing short of a Christmas gift for longtime fans of this grimy exploitation slasher classic. Naughty!
January 11, 2025
This book is an utterly amazing trip through the gritty and exploitive world of the 80's horror film 'Silent Night Deadly Night'! However, it's more than merely a novelization or an adaptation. It's a grand retelling on the subject matter of the movie much like unearthing a magnificent director's cut of the film itself. Author Armando Muñoz and his amazing way of telling this story goes behind the scenes of the characters and what makes them tick while offering up fresh takes on why they do what they do. It's my first trip into Armando's mind and I can't wait to take another one down that dark road. Kudos to him and the folks at Stop The Killer for producing this effort. Bravo.
June 12, 2024
What an absolutely fun read!! This novel follows the movie Silent Night Deadly Night perfectly but adding some background that the movie doesn't show. Supremely violent and very gory. We follow Billy as he is a child witnessing a Santa Claus killing his family to his horrible childhood in an orphanage and as he is now an adult. Working at Ira's Toys until it's Christmas and all hell breaks loose. Another fun release from Stop the Killer!
December 8, 2025
Most readers agree that a movie adaptation never does a book justice. But what happens when a movie becomes adapted to a book? From Armando Muñoz comes Silent Night, Deadly Night: The Official Novelization of the Original Movie. An elaborate adaptation on the 1984 holiday slasher, the foreword asks readers to understand that this isn’t just a retelling of the original. Muñoz was given free rein to expand and explore in his novelization. Let’s see how this infamous film holds up in paperback.
Billy Chapman is tormented by the memories of Christmas Eve 1971. Having kept the specifics of his parents’ death a secret, Billy’s life at the local orphanage is one of terror and abuse. Mother Superior, trying to break Billy of his Christmas fear, continually punishes him, including a forced sit-down with a local Santa actor. For all her efforts, Billy is only further scarred by the season and the man in the red suit.
Once eighteen, Billy secures a job and apartment for himself. Being on his own, Billy finds himself slipping deeper into depression. Eventually, he will be forced into the role of his biggest tormentor and will decide who’s been naughty.
Every major character comes with a full dive into their background. From the initial killer to Mother Superior, all are fully explored, and all are guilty of being “naughty”. Characters like Grandpa Chapman, who starts the cycle of corruption for Billy, are well-crafted and show just how vile they really are.
The locations are also given full histories. The city of Christmas Joy has a deep-seated connection to the holiday and the need to cover up the 1971 killer’s attire. The orphanage gets a full biography, which explores ownership and its various states of occupancy over the years. Even Billy’s place of employment, Ira’s Toys, gets a background, helping to give life to the location.
If there is one caution that must be noted, it’s the amount of sexual violence portrayed in this novel. There is a chance that any singular character is either the victim of or perpetrator of sexual violence. Even Sister Margaret, meant to be Billy’s only protector, develops a sexual attraction to him as a minor. The one-sided desire continues right up to the end in a shockingly morbid display, leaving something very unsavory about character.
Does this novel do the movie justice? Yes. The novel is a faithful retelling of the original 1984 film. It reads just like a classic 1980’s horror flick with gratuitous violence and sex. Muñoz was given the ability to add characters as necessary to expand the story and most of them fit pretty well. While there is an overuse of sex, sexual violence, and sexual trauma, the expanded histories and backgrounds do justice to the characters and locations.
Silent Night, Deadly Night: The Official Novelization of the Original Movie is a faithful retelling of the 1984 film by Armando Muñoz. Fans will enjoy the deep dive into the lore. New to the franchise? If classic slashers appeal to you, give this novel a read.
Billy Chapman is tormented by the memories of Christmas Eve 1971. Having kept the specifics of his parents’ death a secret, Billy’s life at the local orphanage is one of terror and abuse. Mother Superior, trying to break Billy of his Christmas fear, continually punishes him, including a forced sit-down with a local Santa actor. For all her efforts, Billy is only further scarred by the season and the man in the red suit.
Once eighteen, Billy secures a job and apartment for himself. Being on his own, Billy finds himself slipping deeper into depression. Eventually, he will be forced into the role of his biggest tormentor and will decide who’s been naughty.
Every major character comes with a full dive into their background. From the initial killer to Mother Superior, all are fully explored, and all are guilty of being “naughty”. Characters like Grandpa Chapman, who starts the cycle of corruption for Billy, are well-crafted and show just how vile they really are.
The locations are also given full histories. The city of Christmas Joy has a deep-seated connection to the holiday and the need to cover up the 1971 killer’s attire. The orphanage gets a full biography, which explores ownership and its various states of occupancy over the years. Even Billy’s place of employment, Ira’s Toys, gets a background, helping to give life to the location.
If there is one caution that must be noted, it’s the amount of sexual violence portrayed in this novel. There is a chance that any singular character is either the victim of or perpetrator of sexual violence. Even Sister Margaret, meant to be Billy’s only protector, develops a sexual attraction to him as a minor. The one-sided desire continues right up to the end in a shockingly morbid display, leaving something very unsavory about character.
Does this novel do the movie justice? Yes. The novel is a faithful retelling of the original 1984 film. It reads just like a classic 1980’s horror flick with gratuitous violence and sex. Muñoz was given the ability to add characters as necessary to expand the story and most of them fit pretty well. While there is an overuse of sex, sexual violence, and sexual trauma, the expanded histories and backgrounds do justice to the characters and locations.
Silent Night, Deadly Night: The Official Novelization of the Original Movie is a faithful retelling of the 1984 film by Armando Muñoz. Fans will enjoy the deep dive into the lore. New to the franchise? If classic slashers appeal to you, give this novel a read.
December 16, 2024
I first saw “Silent Night, Deadly Night” easily 15 years ago when I was given a copy of 1&2 in a slasher care package. Since then, I’ve watched it & the many sequels multiple times now as they will usually find their way into the December rotation every year. When I found out Armando Munoz who wrote the “My Bloody Valentine” novelization was gonna be releasing his novelization of SNDN, I knew I had to have it. Much like MBV, SNDN opens with a foreword from those involved with the film giving Armando their full blessing to take a beloved (& hated) 80s slasher & expand into its setting, characters, perversions, & kills, which is exactly what you get in SNDN.
Sure you know the story of young Billy who one unpleasant Christmas in 84, has a run in while out with his family with a psychopath in a Santa suit kills both parents, scarring him with a fear of Santa Claus that causes him to then go homicidal some years later when he dawns a Santa suit himself & begins to dish out the punishment. But what you don’t know is how the psychopath got his Santa suit, nor what kind an absolute monster Grandpa Harold is, the horrible things Mother Superior could do with a belt buckle, the history of Christmas Joy, & more! Munoz doesn’t skimp on the details or character expansions really making the statement true, this is not your daddy’s Silent Night, Deadly Night.
Munoz goes full pervy, bloody, & depraved within this 312 page novelization giving us a new look Billy & Sister Margaret’s relationship, Billy’s discovery of an adult video store (that Santa Billy may or may not return to Christmas Eve) & the continuing damage sexual thoughts bring Billy, carnage left before & in the demise of the psycho Santa with no gory & graphic detail left out, & so much more. There’s definitely time Munoz will test the readers taste but with a property like SNDN, it honestly fits the vibe knowing how pissed off people became when the film released back in the 80s. Not everyone will love some of the directions Munoz will take with this slasher classic (especially the very ending actions of Sister Margaret) but this was a fun read that will make me enjoy the film even more for years to come.
Sure you know the story of young Billy who one unpleasant Christmas in 84, has a run in while out with his family with a psychopath in a Santa suit kills both parents, scarring him with a fear of Santa Claus that causes him to then go homicidal some years later when he dawns a Santa suit himself & begins to dish out the punishment. But what you don’t know is how the psychopath got his Santa suit, nor what kind an absolute monster Grandpa Harold is, the horrible things Mother Superior could do with a belt buckle, the history of Christmas Joy, & more! Munoz doesn’t skimp on the details or character expansions really making the statement true, this is not your daddy’s Silent Night, Deadly Night.
Munoz goes full pervy, bloody, & depraved within this 312 page novelization giving us a new look Billy & Sister Margaret’s relationship, Billy’s discovery of an adult video store (that Santa Billy may or may not return to Christmas Eve) & the continuing damage sexual thoughts bring Billy, carnage left before & in the demise of the psycho Santa with no gory & graphic detail left out, & so much more. There’s definitely time Munoz will test the readers taste but with a property like SNDN, it honestly fits the vibe knowing how pissed off people became when the film released back in the 80s. Not everyone will love some of the directions Munoz will take with this slasher classic (especially the very ending actions of Sister Margaret) but this was a fun read that will make me enjoy the film even more for years to come.
December 23, 2025
In 1971, five-year-old Billy Chapman watched a man dressed as Santa Claus kill his parents. Raised by a sadistic Catholic nun with his little brother, Billy is determined to live a normal life. In 1984, he was forced to dress as Santa Claus for the holidays to make ends meet. Still dressed as Santa, he snaps and goes on a rampage, punishing all those he deems naughty.
This is the novelization of the 1984 horror movie, and there are plenty of us out there who remember it well. (Let's ignore that it was forty years ago, shall we?) This version expands on the movie, not just showing more history for the characters, but adding in more characters and kills in keeping with the theme of the original. The foreword shows that the original executive producers of the movie encouraged the expansion, so think of this book as something like a director's cut.
We see a lot of setup through the years, from the town itself to the parents, Billy, and the people he knew. He was essentially tortured for years, and most adults let it go. We see exactly what he thinks, and why he snaps at the company Christmas party. It's a gory rampage through town, with shocks along the way in keeping with the slasher horror of the original movie. If you need holiday horror, this novel should definitely be on your list.
This is the novelization of the 1984 horror movie, and there are plenty of us out there who remember it well. (Let's ignore that it was forty years ago, shall we?) This version expands on the movie, not just showing more history for the characters, but adding in more characters and kills in keeping with the theme of the original. The foreword shows that the original executive producers of the movie encouraged the expansion, so think of this book as something like a director's cut.
We see a lot of setup through the years, from the town itself to the parents, Billy, and the people he knew. He was essentially tortured for years, and most adults let it go. We see exactly what he thinks, and why he snaps at the company Christmas party. It's a gory rampage through town, with shocks along the way in keeping with the slasher horror of the original movie. If you need holiday horror, this novel should definitely be on your list.
February 19, 2025
Tense, disturbing, and a fascinating deepening of the plot of the film. Muñoz takes his time drawing Billy as a character, getting further into the psyche of this boy than the film could have at the time.
As someone who is an admitted fan of the film, it’s really fun to see Muñoz’s take on certain events and the way he adds more layers of terror and depravity to certain sequences. I’ll admit that I was taken aback by how he kind of turned a lot of the “good people” from the film into their own type of psycho, and I’m not sure how I feel about the changes made to Sister Margaret in particular, however as a snapshot of an alternate “cut” of the film, I found this really fascinating and really enjoyed it at the end of the day. I luckily snagged a physical copy of his Black Christmas novelization, so I’m interested to check that one out, although I’ll be holding off til this Christmas season.
As someone who is an admitted fan of the film, it’s really fun to see Muñoz’s take on certain events and the way he adds more layers of terror and depravity to certain sequences. I’ll admit that I was taken aback by how he kind of turned a lot of the “good people” from the film into their own type of psycho, and I’m not sure how I feel about the changes made to Sister Margaret in particular, however as a snapshot of an alternate “cut” of the film, I found this really fascinating and really enjoyed it at the end of the day. I luckily snagged a physical copy of his Black Christmas novelization, so I’m interested to check that one out, although I’ll be holding off til this Christmas season.
December 28, 2025
A festive horror masterpiece!
I've always loved the original Silent Night, Deadly Night movie. When I saw this book in the store, I couldn't resist.
Munoz's interpretation is brilliant! He takes the reader on a journey deep into the mind of a boy who suffers trauma so severe that he experiences symptoms of dissociation and dual personality. The portrayal is well written.
To deepen the experience of the reader even further, Munoz dives into the minds of the surrounding cast of characters, exposing the good, the bad, the terrifying and the disgusting that exists within all human minds.
Embellisments are made, elevating the original story masterfully. There were moments in the story where I was totally horrified and others where I was completely disturbed.
That old school vibe of the film shines through in all its glory.
This will be on my yearly festive to read list, and I must read more of this authors work.
I've always loved the original Silent Night, Deadly Night movie. When I saw this book in the store, I couldn't resist.
Munoz's interpretation is brilliant! He takes the reader on a journey deep into the mind of a boy who suffers trauma so severe that he experiences symptoms of dissociation and dual personality. The portrayal is well written.
To deepen the experience of the reader even further, Munoz dives into the minds of the surrounding cast of characters, exposing the good, the bad, the terrifying and the disgusting that exists within all human minds.
Embellisments are made, elevating the original story masterfully. There were moments in the story where I was totally horrified and others where I was completely disturbed.
That old school vibe of the film shines through in all its glory.
This will be on my yearly festive to read list, and I must read more of this authors work.
March 12, 2024
Armando Muñoz is now responsible for delivering two solid novelizations of two of my favorite slasher movies of all time: My Bloody Valentine and Silent Night, Deadly Night!
Featuring sweet imaginative detail in regards to backstory, accurate descriptions of important scenes, and fully fleshed out characters, this adaptation is a worthy effort. Muñoz unnecessarily injects an abundance of sexual prowess in his 1980's slasher book reimaginings but it's still a noteworthy read and the prose is effective. Perfect for the holidays! 🎄🎅
Featuring sweet imaginative detail in regards to backstory, accurate descriptions of important scenes, and fully fleshed out characters, this adaptation is a worthy effort. Muñoz unnecessarily injects an abundance of sexual prowess in his 1980's slasher book reimaginings but it's still a noteworthy read and the prose is effective. Perfect for the holidays! 🎄🎅
February 27, 2025
Armando does it again! For the parts that were straight from the movie, I could picture the scenes in my head with Armando's descriptions. He included a lot of details that were not in the book, including some extra kill scenes. Some parts were difficult to read due to sexual violence or gore, but I would read again.
January 16, 2025
The book was very entertaining and kinda filled in some of the gaps the movie missed. Really enjoyed the entirety of the book except for the Sister Margaret lusting stuff. That read like Rob Zombie took over the writing duties for a few sections. Overall, it was a good read.
December 31, 2024
DNF, pg 35
Love the movie more than words, but this was just edgelord garbage.
Love the movie more than words, but this was just edgelord garbage.
January 10, 2025
PUNISH!
December 10, 2025
(Read the Titan Books paperback which isn't listed on Goodreads yet)
Read
December 21, 2025DNF. novelization of the movie with extra details. Too horny for me maybe? Which sounds strange
December 23, 2025
Ended up being a DNF like 3/4 of the way through. Just got very old and tiresome and boring honestly. It’s fun for a bit but then just exhausting.
December 25, 2025
Absolutely disgusting. Very in the spirit of the film.
January 2, 2026
This was a good book but I really hate the ending. Like for real. The wrong person died.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews