The Mean One is yet another horror movie based on a famous children's story, and it also features some familiar genre film actors in the roles of its iconic main character and supporting cast. As an unofficial parody of Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, The Mean One adapts a popular story into a horrifying slasher film, making it very different from previous adaptations of the material. Because the movie didn't receive the copyright permissions for Dr. Seuss's work, the exact names and language from How the Grinch Stole Christmas! do not appear in The Mean One.
This horror take on the Grinch story is set in a snowy village called Newville (instead of Whoville), where a young girl named Cindy You-Know-Who watches as a green monster in a Santa suit brutally murders her mother. At the behest of her therapist, she returns as a grown woman to kill the beast, which continues to plague Newville's holidays — it's safe to assume that no one's heart grows three sizes larger in this version. So, who plays Cindy, the titular beast, and the rest of the characters? Here's a look at the cast of The Mean One, who they each play, and what they're known for.
David Howard Thornton As The Mean One
The Mean One, like all Grinch movies, is about a character who harbors a bone-deep hatred for Christmas — but here he expresses it through murder. Every holiday season, the titular Mean One descends upon Newville to brutally slaughter anyone he sees expressing their Christmas joy. As a parody of the iconic Grinch character, the Mean One takes his humbug mentality to a new level. The Mean One is played by David Howard Thornton, who is no stranger to slasher flicks. Thornton previously portrayed Art the Clown in Terrifier and Terrifier 2 and also appears in The Dark Offerings.
Krystle Martin As Cindy You-Know-Who
After witnessing the slaughter of her mother at a young age, Cindy You-Know-Who continues to suffer from the trauma of that night. In hunting the beast, known as the Mean One, Cindy aims to rid Newville of the monster that haunts their holidays. Cindy You-Know-Who is played in the Grinch horror movie by Krystle Martin, who previously appeared in the movie They Live in the Grey and in an episode of 9-1-1: Lone Star. Martin is also a celebrated stunt artist, having performed stunts in the shows American Horror Story and The Rookie and motion capture stunts for the video game Call of Duty: Black Ops 4.
The Mean One's Supporting Cast & Characters
Saphina Chanadet as Young Cindy - The young Cindy You-Know-Who who witnessed the murder of her mother. The Mean One is Saphina Chanadet's first full-length film.
Chase Mullins as Officer Burke Goldman - A Newville cop who assists Cindy You-Know-Who in hunting the Mean One. Mullins previously appeared in Bury Me Twice and Driven.
John Bigham as Doc Zeus - An odd local man whose wife was killed by the Grinch-inspired title character in the Mean One. Bigham is best known for his roles in 1999's Angel's Dance and the 2005 remake of The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari.
Erik Baker as Sheriff Hooper - The town's sheriff, who tried to keep the beast at bay by banning Christmas. Baker previously starred in the movie One Stop Away.
Flip Kobler as Lou - Cindy You-Know-Who's father. Flip Kobler, who plays the role, also wrote The Mean One alongside Finn Kobler.
Amy Schumacher as Mayor McBean - Newville's mayor, who cooks up schemes to protect her citizens from the beast. Schumacher has previously appeared in the series Strange Events and The Wasteland.
Christopher Sanders as The Narrator - Christopher Sanders, who narrates The Mean One, previously appeared in the series Yellowstone and NCIS: Los Angeles.