A Basque priest attempts to save the world by committing sins on Christmas Eve.
In short: In the 1995 black comedy The Day of the Beast, a theologian concludes the Antichrist will be born in Madrid at midnight. To stop the apocalypse, he embarks on a frantic, violent quest to sell his soul to Satan, teaming up with a heavy metal fan and an occult fraudster.
Directed by Álex de la Iglesia, the film follows Ángel Berriatúa, a priest who believes a secret code in the Bible predicts the birth of the Antichrist. Convinced that committing enough evil will allow him to infiltrate the birth ceremony and kill the infant, Ángel descends into a chaotic spree of theft and assault across Madrid. He is aided by José María, a metalhead from Carabanchel, and Professor Cavan, a television occultist who initially views the entire endeavor as a hoax.
The narrative blends dark humor with supernatural horror, culminating in a confrontation at the Gate of Europe. There, the trio faces an extremist gang obsessed with 'cleaning up' the city. The film’s climax reveals the gang's leader to be the devil himself, leading to a violent showdown where the fate of the world hangs in the balance. Despite the absurdity of their mission, the characters find themselves caught in a genuine battle against demonic forces.
Released in Spain on 20 October 1995, the film was a critical success, earning Álex de la Iglesia the Goya Award for Best Director. Produced as a Spanish-Italian co-production with a budget of 300 million pesetas, it grossed over 4.3 million euros. Beyond its plot, the film is noted for its distinctive soundtrack, which features heavy metal acts like Pantera and Ministry, and its cynical, irreverent take on the traditional Christmas narrative.
While the film is often categorized as a satanic comedy, its legacy lies in its unique tone and stylistic flair. Retrospective critics have praised it as a demented, essential viewing experience that subverts holiday tropes. For those who prefer their seasonal entertainment with a side of nihilism and dark satire, it remains a definitive, if unconventional, Christmas classic.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: The Day of the Beast
- Also: Wikidata — The Day of the Beast · CC0
- Also: Wikidata — The Day of the Beast · CC0
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