XYZ Films has picked up the U.S. distribution rights to director Steven LaMorte’s horror film The Mean One, a “violent slasher parody” that draws clear inspiration from the Dr. Seuss classic How the Grinch Stole Christmas! XYZ has an interesting release strategy in mind for the film as well: they’re going to release it for free online on December 15th.
David Howard Thornton, who plays Art the Clown in the Terrifier movies (see today’s exclusive clip from Terrifier 2 HERE), takes on the role of the Grinch-like title character in The Mean One,
a hairy, green-skinned grump in a Santa suit, living on a mountain high above the festive small town of Frazier Park, despising the holiday season. Young Cindy You-Know-Who, whose parents were butchered by The Mean One twenty Christmases earlier, is returning to town to seek closure.
Thornton is joined in the cast by Krystle Martin (They Live in the Grey), Chase Mullins (Bury Me Twice), John Bigham (The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari 2005), Erik Baker (One Step Away), Flip Kobler (American Drive-In), and Amy Schumacher (Unhoused: Based on True Stories). Kobler also wrote the screenplay for the film with Finn Kobler.
The Mean One is coming to us from A Sleight of Hand Productions, Amy Rose Productions, and Kali Pictures. LaMorte and Schumacher produced the film with Martine Melloul. Jordan Rosner, Gato Scatena, and Zach Stampone served as executive producers.
XYZ’s Alex Williams provided the following statement: “As a passionate fan of seasonal horror, The Mean One is exactly the kind of film that lands on my personal “nice list.” This movie is a stunningly great time with a ferociously subversive turn from David Howard Thornton – and XYZ Films is so proud to be bringing this soon-to-be iconic Christmas slasher to audiences this holiday season.“
Are you interested in The Mean One? What do you think of there being a horror take on How the Grinch Stole Christmas? Share your thoughts on this one by leaving a comment below.
Here’s a first look image from The Mean One: