MovieChat Forums > Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984) Discussion > I find it hard to believe (SPOILERS)....

I find it hard to believe (SPOILERS)....

posted 9 years ago by Dr_Adam_Warlock
15 replies | jump to latest

... that Billy and Ricky didn't have any other relatives that they could have gone to live with after the parents were killed. It probably be more believable if Billy and Ricky were put into the care of a relative (on the dad's side of the family).

Also, in the case of a child witnessing his parents dying violently, you'd think a child psychiatrist would be brought into the picture to help deal with what he saw.

Finally, realistically speaking, it would be a disastrous idea to have a man who saw his parents killed at the hands of a Santa Claus dressed madman work at a toy/department store, especially in December.

I like this movie and all. It's a fun, entertaining gorefest. But when logic comes into play, it's hard to look past the obvious.

BLACKOUT!

[–] MathewsJ2 9 years ago

It is possible Billy and Ricky had no other family. Since this took place about 40 years ago they might have just had the kids tough it out without counseling or therapy of any kind.

[–] iheartnormi 9 years ago

Also, why would Billy even want to put the outfit on. My biggest issue with the movie is him wearing the Santa suit. He could have kindly declined, even telling his boss about his Santa phobia. I mean maybe by him putting on the suit and pretending to be Santa he thought that he could control his fear, obviously this was not the case because he ends up living his fear. Its weird, but yeah, I agree with everything you said about this movie.

[–] Dr_Adam_Warlock 9 years ago

Ok there's something else I forgot to add:

After the priest, dressed as Santa, gets shot dead, you'd think (with the report of Billy headed that direction on top of it) the whole area would be swarming with cops. So, realistically speaking (again), Billy wouldn't have been able to get into the area on or around the orphanage without getting shot.

BLACKOUT!

[–] lukejbarnett (1869) 5 years ago

but then we wouldn't have him killing people in a santa outfit, and we wouldn't have this still loved and talked about film today. with horror movies, especially slasher movies it's best to not waste your time thinking about realism and when you do this you aren't able to enjoy the movie as much if you hold these things against a horror movie.

[–] lukejbarnett (1869) 5 years ago

maybe he felt fearful about losing his job by declining to wear the santa suit or even just by asking his boss to not have to wear it. also maybe by wearing it he though he could control his fear like you said but it then didn't work out that way.

[–] CaptainTerrific 9 years ago

I don't find the two boys having no other family - that's why there are orphanages in the first place, for kids who have no family.

They may have gotten some counseling, but I think the movie chose not to delve that deeply into it. Living in an orphanage, though, I think it'd be safe to assume that any tax-funded therapy was going to be pretty shoddy.

I did laugh when they put him not just in the toy shop, but then made him the resident Santa. Also, it seemed like the only one who knew his tortured past was the younger nun. You'd have thought she'd have at least clued the shop owner in with something like, "I can't get into the details, but now that it's Christmas, he'll need to come back to the orphanage until the season is over."

[–] lukejbarnett (1869) 5 years ago

back to the orphanage at 18 years old????!!!! lol

[–] OldFriendOfTheChristys 9 years ago

I wonder if adoption was never explored. I suppose it would’ve been more difficult to place Billy, being that he was older, but Ricky was only a baby.

[–] BoxOfficePoison 8 years ago

Did/do Catholic orphanages adopt kids out at all? Does anybody know?

"You seem a decent fellow. I hate to kill you."
"You seem a decent fellow. I hate to die."

[–] Dr_Adam_Warlock 8 years ago

More to add:

In the opening with Billy's parents getting killed, Killer Santa fires his gun and hits Billy's dad in the head. From the angle, the bullet should have gone through the windsheild. But we don't hear any glass breaking or so much as crack. And since Jim (Billy's dad) got shot in the head, there should have been blood splatter. That said, Ellie (Billy's mom), Billy AND Ricky should have been covered in Jim's blood.

Plus, it's indicated that Killer Santa was drunk (indicated by his slurred speech). So, depending on how intoxicated he was, he should/could have missed.

And I know that Jim panicked, but why the hell didn't he gun the car forward? Maybe Killer Santa would have not had a clear shot (aka: lucky hit) when it came to firing at them.

Also, seeing how crazy he was, I'm surprised Killer Santa didn't attempt to fire a couple bullets in the direction Billy ran in. Also, I'm surprised he didn't attempt to bring harm to Ricky.

More nitpicks to come!

I'm so scared your little head will come off in my hands!

[–] ReturnOfWhiskey 8 years ago

Do you seriously not have anything better to do than post stupid *beep* like this? Do you actually think it makes you cool or something?

"oh look! I just found another mistake in Silent Night Deadly Night! I better get over to IMDB asap and post this so everyone will think I'm brilliant and smart for noticing something that didn't make sense in a movie made over 30 years ago!! YEAH I'm just SO cool!"



[–] Dr_Adam_Warlock 7 years ago

Do you seriously not have anything better to do than post stupid *beep* like this? Do you actually think it makes you cool or something?

Actually, I am merely a bad movie lover who points them out merely for fun. Then I take a shot of rum. You should try it sometime.

I'm so scared your little head will come off in my hands!

[–] Horror_Metal 7 years ago

... that Billy and Ricky didn't have any other relatives that they could have gone to live with after the parents were killed. It probably be more believable if Billy and Ricky were put into the care of a relative (on the dad's side of the family).

But that's what orphanages are for. You could apply the same logic to any kids who lost their parents, why aren't there relatives they could go to? This happens in real life all the time, otherwise orphanages wouldn't exist.

Also, in the case of a child witnessing his parents dying violently, you'd think a child psychiatrist would be brought into the picture to help deal with what he saw.

There may have been, we just didn't see it in the movie as it wasn't relevant to the story being told. Therapy obviously doesn't always work though and I'm sure whatever Billy would have received wouldn't have been that great anyway.

Finally, realistically speaking, it would be a disastrous idea to have a man who saw his parents killed at the hands of a Santa Claus dressed madman work at a toy/department store, especially in December.

I always thought this was strange too, however I don't think Mr. Simms was ever told the story of Billy's past and probably didn't know any better. As for Billy not turning it down, he was probably still trying to make a good first impression at his job and thought he could try to be normal for once. Maybe he was even trying to conquer his fear. It was mostly that jerk coworker violating that girl that set him off, he might have been fine if he hadn't witnessed that.

Horror_Metal

[–] lukejbarnett (1869) 5 years ago

thinking about that scene with the hottie played by toni nero in the back room of the toy store where that guy gets really close to raping her made me think about how great '80s slasher movies are. they just aren't dirty or wild or free anymore.

[–] lukejbarnett (1869) 5 years ago

ok if we followed all of your logical events then we wouldn't have a slasher movie.