Bad Santa 2 Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Drunk Santa’s mom shows up to help him rob a charity, and surprisingly, things don’t get any classier. Inspired by dark humor

🍿 Bad Santa 2: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Willie’s Downward Spiral

The film finds Willie Soke (Billy Bob Thornton) in a familiar state: depressed, alcoholic, and generally miserable. He’s lost his connection with Sue from the first film and is contemplating suicide. This sets the stage for his inevitable involvement in another criminal scheme, highlighting his lack of positive change despite past events.

The Heist is On: Chicago and a Charity

Marcus (Tony Cox) reappears with an offer Willie can’t refuse: a $2 million heist targeting a Chicago charity. This plot point introduces a new level of moral ambiguity, even for Willie, as they’re potentially stealing from underprivileged children. The setting shifts to Chicago, providing a new backdrop for their debauchery.

Mommy Dearest: Sunny Soke’s Arrival

The real complication arrives in the form of Willie’s mother, Sunny Soke (Kathy Bates), a foul-mouthed, tattooed ex-con. Sunny is the mastermind behind the heist, adding a dysfunctional family dynamic to the already chaotic situation. Her presence explains some of Willie’s issues, while simultaneously escalating the criminal antics.

Thurman’s Unwavering Innocence

Thurman Merman (Brett Kelly), now an adult, remains naively devoted to Willie. He follows Willie to Chicago, determined to help, despite Willie’s attempts to push him away. Thurman’s unwavering optimism clashes hilariously with Willie’s cynicism, creating both comedic and surprisingly touching moments.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Willie Soke (Billy Bob Thornton): The alcoholic and misanthropic conman who reluctantly reprises his role as a Bad Santa to rob a charity.
• Marcus Skidmore (Tony Cox): Willie’s short-statured, volatile accomplice who brings Willie back into the life of crime.
• Sunny Soke (Kathy Bates): Willie’s estranged and equally amoral mother who masterminds the charity heist.
• Thurman Merman (Brett Kelly): The perpetually naive and overweight man-child who attaches himself to Willie, seeking friendship.
• Diane Hastings (Christina Hendricks): The charitable foundation director who becomes entangled with Willie.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Willie: “I hate kids. They’re always sticky and grabby. They smell like cheap candy and broken dreams.” – Willie expresses his general misanthropic view on children while reluctantly working as Santa.
• Sunny Soke: “Hell, I didn’t even know I’d given birth until I tripped over him.” – Sunny describes Willie’s birth, highlighting her neglectful motherhood.
• Thurman Merman: “Are you still gonna pop my cherry?” – Thurman, now an adult, naively reminds Willie of a crude promise made in the first film.
• Willie: “I’m not a good person but I’m not a total piece of shit” – Willie realizing what he is doing is wrong

💰Box Office

• Budget: $26,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $17,782,178
• Worldwide Gross: $24,079,268

💥 Bad Santa 2 Reviews

Personal Review

As a fan of the original *Bad Santa*, I had to see the sequel, but it didn’t live up to the hype. While there were some funny moments, especially with Billy Bob Thornton back as Willie, the movie tried too hard to be offensive. The addition of Kathy Bates as Willie’s mom was interesting, but the plot felt repetitive. I missed the surprising heart that made the first film special and laugh out loud funny.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of the original Bad Santa”
  • “Viewers who appreciate dark, crude humor”
  • “Those seeking an anti-Christmas movie”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Strong language”
  • “Crude sexual content”
  • “Graphic nudity”
  • “Alcohol abuse”
  • “Violence”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “Bad Santa 2 doubles down on vulgarity but lacks the original’s heart and humor, proving that some presents are better left unopened. It tries too hard to be shocking, resulting in a tired and uninspired experience.
• New York Times: “The film coasts on shock value but forgets to be funny, offering a series of gross-out gags that lack wit and originality. It’s a disappointing sequel that fails to capture the spirit of the original.
• Entertainment Weekly: “Bad Santa 2 relies heavily on profanity and crude humor, but the jokes feel forced and the storyline is uninspired. The film lacks the charm and heart of the original, making it a forgettable holiday offering.

Audience Reactions

Fans loved the return of the original cast, especially Billy Bob Thornton.: Most agree that the movie is funny, but not as great as the first one.

Some viewers felt that it pushed the envelope too much and just tried to be too vulgar without any real humor: Movie needed more heart and less shock.

Overall Consensus: While fans appreciate the return of the original cast and crude humor, most agree that Bad Santa 2 doesn’t live up to the charm and originality of the first film.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Several years were spent trying to get the script right and find a director who could recapture the tone of the original Bad Santa.”
• “Brett Kelly gained over 40 pounds to reprise his role as Thurman Merman, consuming many smoked meat sandwiches in Montreal during filming.”
• “Octavia Spencer makes a brief uncredited cameo as Opal, reprising her role from the first film, further connecting the two movies.”
• “Miramax, one of the production companies, was also involved in the first Bad Santa, creating a sense of continuity.”

🖥️ How to Watch Bad Santa 2?

Bad Santa 2 is available for streaming on various platforms. You can find it on demand through services like Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu, where you may have the option to rent or purchase the movie. Check your local cable provider for on-demand availability as well. Physical copies, including Blu-ray and DVD, are also available for purchase online and in stores.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Bad Santa 2, you might like these similar films:

• Bad Santa (2003): The original film, offering a similar brand of dark, irreverent Christmas humor.
• The Ref (1994): A darkly comedic Christmas film involving a burglar who gets more than he bargained for when he takes a dysfunctional family hostage.
• National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989): While more mainstream, it shares a similar theme of holiday chaos and a dysfunctional family trying to make it through Christmas.
• Office Christmas Party (2016): A modern comedy with an ensemble cast engaging in outrageous behavior at a Christmas party to save their branch.

🛒 Bad Santa 2 Related Products

• Bad Santa (Unrated) [Blu-ray]: Own the original Bad Santa on Blu-ray. This is a collector’s must have item.
• Bad Santa Movie Poster: Decorate your room or entertainment area with the official Bad Santa movie poster.
• Bad Santa T-Shirt: Show off your love for the anti-hero with a Bad Santa themed t-shirt.

🎧 Soundtrack

Bad Santa 2 features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Santa Claus Is Back In Town” – performed by Elvis Presley

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Nerf War: Bad Santa 2

Ever wondered what Bad Santa would be like with Nerf guns? This hilarious parody takes the premise of Bad Santa 2 and turns it into an epic Nerf battle. It’s surprisingly well-made and a fun watch!

“You got gigantic titties” – Christina Hendricks and Billy Bob Thornton in Bad Santa 2 (2016)

This scene is pure Bad Santa gold! Check out this hilariously awkward moment between Billy Bob Thornton and Christina Hendricks. I think it’s one of the funniest bits in the whole movie!

Drunk History – “Bad Santa 2” Star Billy Bob Thornton on Benjamin Franklin

What happens when you combine Drunk History with Billy Bob Thornton talking about Benjamin Franklin, and a little Bad Santa 2 thrown in? Pure comedic genius, that’s what! You gotta see this.

Bad Santa 2 | On-set visit with Brett Kelly ‘Thurman’

Want to know what it was like on the set of Bad Santa 2? This interview with Brett Kelly (Thurman) gives you a peek behind the curtain. It’s cool to hear about his experience making the movie!

✨ Rate