By Ryan Louis Mantilla 

The stunts for the upcoming action-comedy "Violent Night," directed by Filipino stunt director Jonathan Eusebio, aim to show Santa Claus in a different light.

Eusebio has worked as a stunt actor for various films, including John Wick, Black Panther, 300, and The Bourne Ultimatum. And now, he will bring his stunt experience to the upcoming Holiday film as a second unit director.

Starring Stranger Things’ David Harbour, "Violent Night" will show Santa in a way that we’ve never seen him before. And while we’ve known Saint Nick as a gentle, bearded man, Harbour’s Santa is also a protector who is willing to show off his combat skills, even if it means delving into a bloody fight. 

“When we meet him in the film, Santa is a curmudgeon who doesn’t like Christmas anymore, but underneath that, he’s a broken man,” said the film’s producer David Leitch, adding: “It gives the character humanity and makes him relatable, and that came from suggestions from David.” 
When the concept of the movie was first explained to Harbour, he wasn't sure how he felt about playing the part. "I first heard the pitch from my agent, who told me, ‘It’s a violent Santa Claus movie."

“My initial response was, ‘What are you talking about?’ But then, they told me the filmmakers wanted to talk to me about it. So, they called me up and told me the general idea, and it sounded so hilarious, fresh and different,” he added. 

The R-16-rated film will debut in Philippine cinemas on November 30.