David Tomlinson is stepping into the world of holiday horror with Silent Night, Deadly Night, a reimagining of the cult classic that has horror fans buzzing ahead of its December 12 theatrical release. In a recent conversation with Pop Culture Unplugged, Tomlinson opened up about joining the franchise, his character Max Benedict, and why horror is where he feels most at home.
“There’s a lot of hype behind this one,” Tomlinson shared. “The original already has such a cult following, so I’m really excited for people to finally see it.”
A Fresh Take on a Cult Classic
Rather than revisiting the original film for inspiration, Tomlinson made a conscious choice to approach the project with fresh eyes.
“I purposely avoided watching the original,” he explained. “I didn’t want to copy anybody. I wanted to go in fresh and do my own thing.”
That mindset fits perfectly with the film’s goal: honoring what fans love about the original while delivering something new. According to Tomlinson, writer Mike P. Nelson’s script made that process seamless.
“The writing is great. When you have strong writing, it makes everything easier. You can really visualize what’s happening and understand the character.”
Who Is Max Benedict?
Tomlinson plays Max Benedict, a police officer in a small town rocked by brutal murders during the holiday season. Max is also the ex-boyfriend of Ruby, played by Pamela, and as Tomlinson teased, “Max isn’t all he seems to be.”
Without giving away spoilers, Tomlinson described Max as a layered character shaped by personal history and legacy—elements that helped ground his performance.
“I just try to make everything as real as possible,” he said. “Like a real person—what they’re thinking, their relationships, their past. Max is definitely an interesting character.”
A Love Letter to Horror
For Tomlinson, stepping into horror felt natural. In fact, it’s his favorite genre to watch.
“If I’m flipping through channels, horror and thrillers are really the only things that catch my attention,” he said. “If someone told me I could just do horror movies from now on, I’d be okay with that.”
He also praised the film’s balance of tones, blending intense horror with moments of comedy and holiday atmosphere.
“It’s cool that it’s a Christmas movie,” he noted. “It feels like something people will revisit every year. You’ve got intense horror, but also some comedy, and that balance makes it better.”
From Film Inspiration to Career Path
Though Tomlinson didn’t attend acting school, his passion for movies fueled his journey.
“I just loved watching films,” he said. “I started with student and short films and worked my way up.”
When asked about influences, he cited Pulp Fiction, The Silence of the Lambs, and a deep appreciation for actors like Cillian Murphy, Viola Davis, Tom Hanks, and Sean Penn. He also shared his love for ’80s classics, often introducing his kids to films like Ghostbusters and Back to the Future.
What’s Next for David Tomlinson?
Beyond Silent Night, Deadly Night, Tomlinson has a busy slate ahead. He appears in Boston Blue alongside Donnie Wahlberg, returning December 14 on Paramount+, and in Season 2 of Cross on Amazon Prime Video. He’ll also be seen in another slasher film, Psycho Killer, hitting theaters soon.
With horror clearly calling his name, Tomlinson’s future looks packed with suspense, thrills, and dark storytelling.
Silent Night, Deadly Night opens in theaters nationwide on December 12—just in time to add a little terror to the holiday season.