10 More Moments That Literally Stopped Horror Movies

6. The Animated Segment - Krampus

The Ring Naomi Watts
Universal

2015's delirious horror-comedy Krampus literally presses pause on the ongoing carnage - of the titular demonic beast laying waste to a whole neighbourhood - to explain the creature's origins.

The Engel family's matriarch, Omi (Krista Stadler), narrates a gorgeous animated segment detailing her own upbringing in an impoverished village, where the desperate locals fought over bread and lost sight of the spirit of Christmas.

Omi's own parents similarly lost their Christmas spirit and so too did she, eventually wishing that her parents would disappear. And that they ultimately did when Krampus arrived in town, taking Omi's parents to Hell but sparing her, instead leaving her with a bauble with Krampus' name on.

It's a gorgeous, affecting animated aside, and while absolutely "unnecessary" in taking us away from the present-day mayhem for three minutes, is absolutely well worth all that time spent.

Contributor
Contributor

Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes). General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.