The Mean One

On Christmas Eve in the town of Newville, a mysterious green creature dressed as Santa sets out on a malignant mission. Its goal is to steal festive decorations from a young girl named Cindy You-Know-Who, leading to an unexpected encounter.

Cindy gifts the creature a necklace during their encounter, trying to bridge a connection. However, chaos erupts when her mother intervenes, leading to a tragic accident that leaves Cindy's mother gravely injured.

In the aftermath of the tragic accident, Cindy is left traumatized and refers to the creature as a 'monster.' This moment marks a turning point, as the creature seems to vanish into the night, leaving a lasting scar on her psyche.

Two decades later, Cindy returns to her hometown, seeking closure after the traumatic events of her childhood. She reconnects with her father, Lou, intending to spend the holiday together despite the shadows of the past.

Cindy meets local officer Burke Goldman and sheriff Peter Hooper, who is skeptical of her tales about the creature. Hooper reveals that the town has avoided Christmas decorations since that fateful night, further deepening Cindy's struggle with her past.

While reminiscing, Lou and Cindy decide to unearth some vintage Christmas decorations for the first time in years. However, tragedy strikes when the creature locks Cindy out and brutally kills Lou before stealing their ornaments.

After her father’s funeral, Cindy meets Mayor Margie McBean, who shows discomfort with her stories about the creature. The Mayor fears that Cindy's claims might incite panic among the townsfolk, further isolating Cindy in her quest for the truth.

Cindy discovers a rare flower at her home, prompting her to investigate its meaning. This leads her to a mountain where she finds the creature attacking a couple, which escalates her resolve to unveil the creature's terror.

Despite the federal jurisdiction barriers, sheriff Peter Hooper refuses to intervene, but Burke Goldman willingly joins Cindy in her quest for truth. Together, they aim to confront the creature haunting their town and uncover the dark secrets surrounding it.

The creature claims more victims, slaughtering a group of Santa cosplayers in a local bar. This horrifying event showcases the relentless violence of the creature, compelling Cindy and Burke to act before more lives are lost.

As the monster attempts to invade Cindy's home, a local resident known as Doc Zeuss drives it away. His belief in Cindy's story, rooted in personal tragedy, adds a layer of support for Cindy in her daunting struggle against the creature.

Burke ventures to the mountain and discovers the creature's lair, filled with belongings from numerous missing individuals. This harrowing discovery propels him and Cindy further into their pursuit of the creature's truth.

Cindy, driven by vengeance and fear, prepares for a final showdown with the creature as it continues its violent rampage in Newville. The town’s safety and her own closure depend on her confronting the monster that haunted her childhood.

During the fierce battle, Cindy recognizes the necklace she had given the creature years ago and realizes that his violence stems from her labeling him as a monster. In a moment of empathy, she embraces the creature, changing the course of their confrontation.

In the aftermath of the confrontation, Newville revives its Christmas spirit with decorations returning to the town. Cindy, now bonded with Burke, looks toward a future filled with hope, even as shadows of the creature linger.