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The Christmas Chronicles: Part Two
Netflix’s The Christmas Chronicles 2 is making headlines for reuniting real-life love birds Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn onscreen for the first time since 1987’s Overboard. However, Kurt and Goldie aren’t the only exciting actors starring in the Netflix Christmas sequel. The Christmas Chronicles: Part Two introduces a new villain, Belsnickel, who will be a familiar face for hardcore film nerds.
Actor Julian Dennison enters the Christmas Chronicles universe as Belsnickel, a mysterious figure with a vendetta against Santa Claus. Who is Belsnickel? What is his deal? And why does he look so familiar?
Here’s everything you need to know about the scene-stealing comic force darkening up Christmas in Netflix’s The Christmas Chronicles 2…
WHO IS BELSNICKEL IN THE CHRISTMAS CHRONICLES 2?
Belsnickel is the key villain of The Christmas Chronicles 2, and as such he has put together a nefarious plan to stymy Santa Claus and ruin Christmas for everyone. The first part of his plan is to use magic to send Kate (Darby Camp) and Jack (Jahzir Bruno) to the North Pole. The second? Steal the star that powers Santa’s Workshop and ensures Christmas continues as planned.
Belsnickel is played by New Zealand-born actor Julian Dennison. Dennison has popped up in Deadpool 2, Aroha Bridge, and The Strange Chores, but he’s best-known for a breakthrough part in one of Taika Waititi’s best-loved films…
WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL ABOUT JULIAN DENNISON AND HUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE?
Julian Dennison made his feature film debut in 2016’s Hunt for the Wilderpeople. Dennison starred in the film as Ricky, a rebellious orphan who is sent to the middle of the New Zealand wilds where he is placed in the care of kindly couple Bella (Rima Te Wiata) and Hec (Sam Neill). Things become complicated when Bella dies suddenly, leaving Hec with Ricky — a situation neither is fond of. The two find themselves hilariously on the run from child services in one of the best comedies of the last decade. (And ironically, one of the best films I’ve watched over the holidays with family. It’s a big hit!) Skux Life!
WHAT IS…SKUX LIFE?
Throughout Hunt for the Wilderpeople, Ricky keeps proclaiming that he wants to get back to the city where he can graffiti tag walls “Skux Life” and shoplift to his heart’s desire. “I didn’t choose Skux Life, the Skux Life chose me,” is a key catchphrase from the film.
“Skux Life” is a Kiwi phrase that basically translates to “Thug Life” in ’90s slang, I guess. It also pops up as an Easter egg in Taika Waititi’s Thor: Ragnarok.
The important thing to remember is that you can’t choose the Skux Life, it chooses you.
