An Episode That Unwraps the Dark, Autistic Charm of Krampus

Here’s what’s in store for today’s episode:

* Our hosts, Matt and Angela, kick off this episode by looking back on the tumultuous year of 2024—highlighting challenges like health emergencies, unexpected relocations, and the transitions that accompanied them.

* Next, we delve into the origins of Krampus—the shadowy counterpart to Santa Claus—who intriguingly exhibits some distinctly autistic traits.

* Krampus can be seen as something of an autistic icon, as he shares a common dislike for the chaos of the holidays—such as loud noises, disruptions to routines, surprises, and sudden changes in plans—much like many autistic individuals.

* Matt and Angela take a moment to explore autistic-coded (and explicitly autistic) Halloween media, such as Dead Like Me and Trick 'r Treat, which serves as a perfect segue into their discussion about Krampus.

* Michael Dougherty's 2015 film Krampus centers around a boy from a dysfunctional family who, in a moment of frustration, wishes to be rid of them. Krampus hears his wish and descends upon the family, unleashing havoc and terror to teach them a dark and twisted lesson about the importance of holiday spirit and unity.

* We touch on other autistic holiday icons, like the Grinch, who struggles with social interactions and sensory overload, and Charlie Brown, an autistic character navigating the holidays, written by an autistic man.

* We discuss Christmas movies that aren’t technically Christmas movies but incorporate Christmas elements and themes—like Die Hard, Home Alone, and Gremlins. We also dive into the iconic Christmas film Violent Night, starring David Harbour, exploring its unique take on holiday storytelling and its blend of action, humor, and festive spirit.

* Our hosts delve into Christmas's origins as the Feast of Saturnalia in ancient Roman times and explore how ghost stories have long been a cherished part of early Christmas traditions.

* Matt and Angela dive into a discussion about Charles Dickens, why he sucks, and why The Muppet Christmas Carol stands out as the superior adaptation of the classic holiday tale.

* Winter and Christmas are, both metaphorically and literally, the darkest season. To counter this, we bring in light—stringing up festive lights, visiting Christmas displays, and celebrating brightness in the midst of the darkness. However, the dark side of Christmas absolutely deserves to be seen and acknowledged, as it provides essential balance and depth to the season's narrative.

* Finding moments of happiness during this season can be both challenging and meaningful. There’s value in embracing the season’s darker aspects: revisiting ghostly tales, enjoying eerie holiday films, and acknowledging the shadows that make the light shine brighter.

“Look, some years you need to be able to say, ‘Well, I might be home alone and depressed this Christmas, but at least I’m not being dragged off, beaten with birch sticks, and taken to hell. Even though it might feel that way sometimes.” - Angela

“Krampus tells you all kinds of stuff. You just have to have the spirit of Krampus within you.” - Matt

“That’s the thing, you know - Christmas happens during the Winter Solstice, during the longest, darkest nights of the year. When all hope seems lost, the crops are dead, and the world is incredibly cold and unforgiving. And, if you go outside, you might die. You might legit die.” - Matt

“[Fighting the darker side]… that’s a big thing for us autistics because a lot of us face these struggles - especially when it’s promoted as, you know, everybody’s having a great time, everybody is happy. No, no, we are fighting our way through the darkness. We are fighting our way through the winter.” - Matt

In this episode, we explore navigating the holiday season as an autistic person, touching on sensory-friendly strategies, embracing the darker side of Christmas traditions, and celebrating iconic autistic-coded holiday characters like Krampus and the Grinch. Thanks for listening! Share your thoughts in the comments, and use #AutisticCultureCatch to connect with other listeners on social media. What resonated with you from this discussion? Let us know!

Show notes:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krampus_(film)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krampus

Trick R Treat ​​- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trick_%27r_Treat

Related Shows:Christmas is Autistic

Holiday Expectations and Neurodivergence

Fairy Tales are Autistic

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