By JOHN MOOREHOUSE
The headline says it all, folks.
“Die Hard” is a Christmas movie.
It may not be Festivus, but I’m here to air my grievances about the “Die Hard” haters — yeah, you too, Bruce Willis! — and then wrestle each talking point into submission in the writing equivalent of the feats of strength.
“But John!” you say. “It’s so violent! Christmas is just the setting! There’s no holiday magic, and the movie wasn’t even released at Christmastime!”
Hmm. Those seem like fair points, Imaginary Contrarian Reader.
Now sit back and snack on a Twinkie while I dismantle every one of them.
(WARNING: Mild spoilers ahead)
The violence
“Die Hard” is a violent movie. It’s an action movie, after all … really the first of its kind as one of those big action blockbusters. There are explosions. People get shot. One character falls from a very high floor in the office building that serves as the setting.
Know what else was violent? “Home Alone.” And “Home Alone 2.” The big difference in the violence that takes place in the “Die Hard” movies as compared to the “Home Alone” movies is that there are actual consequences for the violence in “Die Hard.” The violence in “Home Alone” is more like something from a 3 Stooges short, and there have been multiple analyses done chronicling all the punishment that Harry and Marv endure, and how many of those traps would have killed them. Fun for the whole family!
Christmas is just the setting
Those who deny “Die Hard” is a Christmas movie often point out that the holiday is just the backdrop for all the mayhem that takes place.
Poppycock! Christmas is integral to everything that happens in the movie.
The reason that the Nakatomi Building is almost entirely empty is that it’s Christmas Eve and nearly everyone still there has gathered on a single floor for the Christmas party. John McClane travels to Los Angeles to see his family, at Christmas. The only reason all of these individuals have gathered at that building, on that night, is because it’s Christmas Eve. Top Nakatomi executives likely would not have been there after hours on a random Thursday in March.
Let’s also not forget that there are Christmas references scattered throughout the movie. When surveilling the bad guys, John McClane literally makes a list on his arm and checks it twice. The soundtrack has musical queues from several holiday classics. And our hero makes use of gift wrapping materials in one crucial scene at the culmination of the movie. And, lest magical, there’s that elevator scene…
No holiday magic
I mean, I think it’s pretty magical that someone can jump off the roof of a building as it explodes with nothing between them and the ground but a hastily tied fire hose. It’s certainly an example of blind faith, which is a recurring theme in a lot of Christmas shows and movies, isn’t it?
“Die Hard” might be an action movie, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t some themes happening. This is a movie about family and redemption.
John McClane comes to California trying to restore and reunite his family. Holly tries to protect her family at every chance she can. Two of the bad guys are brothers, and that bond plays a huge role in the events of the movie.
It’s also about redemption. The ordeal in Nakatomi leads John to a defining moment of realization where he acknowledges the mistakes he’s made in his marriage and seeks to correct them. Al Powell, John’s only link to the world outside the building, is haunted by a fatal mistake on the job but ends up with a chance to redeem himself. If redemption is good enough for Ebenezer Scrooge, it’s good enough for the protagonists in “Die Hard.”
It wasn’t released at Christmas
I’ll just say this. You know what’s another movie — one considered a Christmas classic — that came out during the summer?
I rest my case.
The conclusion
You’ve got a story about family and redemption, centered around the holiday, with Christmas decoration and music and even a giant teddy bear. It’s also a seminal action movie with one of the great villain performances of all time by Alan Rickman. “Die Hard” is a Christmas movie, and it’s fabulous. Add it to your viewing list this holiday.
And with that, it’s time to hit the catch phrase…
The Weekly Rant will return in 2026!