Pay close attention! What you may think are festive jingle bells is actually the alarming roar of a truck barreling towards you! Bob’s Burgers seamlessly combines absurdity with the unwavering family support that the Belchers provide each other, even amidst the wildest circumstances. The episode “Christmas in the Car” from Season 4 exemplifies this blend, merging the show’s trademark quirkiness with a spine-chilling premise and delivering one of the most eerie holiday episodes to date. Noteworthy are the clever pop culture references that enhance the humor and depth of the storyline.

In “Christmas in the Car,” the episode pays a significant tribute to acclaimed director Steven Spielberg, known for crafting beloved films featuring a sweet extraterrestrial and an adventurous archaeologist. Bob’s Burgers has an affinity for these cinematic classics, but for its fourth season, it draws inspiration from a lesser-known piece of Spielberg’s repertoire from the 1970s. Five years prior to the infamous shark tale, Spielberg directed a chilling TV movie about a traveling salesman who discovers that a menacing tanker truck is hunting him down. This narrative will undeniably instill a sense of dread the next time you encounter one of those gas-guzzling behemoths on the road. Bob’s Burgers ensures that this lesson sticks, crafting a whimsical homage that nearly brings the festive spirit crashing down around the Belcher family.

Explore the Intriguing Plot of “Christmas in the Car”

The episode kicks off with Linda (John Roberts) desperately seeking a Christmas tree the day after Halloween, resulting in a tree that is “dehydrated and covered in tinseled” by mid-November. Her youngest daughter, Louise (Kristen Schaal), cheekily remarks, “sounds like a gay pride parade,” tapping into the vibrant energy of NYC pride during the sweltering June heat. After the initial tree ends up in the trash, Linda decides she needs another tree post-Thanksgiving, which tragically means it will wither away by Christmas Eve. In a panic over the lack of a festive centerpiece, Linda insists that Bob (H. Jon Benjamin) must embark on a quest to find a healthy tree that won’t pose a fire risk. However, this road trip is destined for chaos.

As the kids eagerly join the adventure, they are secretly plotting to ensnare Santa in their kitchen trap upon their return. While each Belcher family member is engrossed in their own concerns, it falls to Bob to uncover the truth about a driver of a large candy cane-themed truck that harbors a grudge against their family. Soon, the entire family realizes they are being pursued by a peppermint-striped terror. While the holiday escapades of the Belchers often embrace wholesome themes, this episode takes a darker turn, delving into moments of despair and even Christmas-themed horror.

Exploring the Unconventional Holiday Themes in ‘Bob’s Burgers’

Over the years, the series has softened its edge compared to its earlier seasons. Initially, the concept of the Belcher family was far darker than the wholesome dynamic fans have come to adore. Originally, the Belchers were depicted as cannibals, with remnants of this theme lingering in the pilot episode, albeit with a much lighter tone. However, elements of darkness remain, as evidenced in some of the creepiest Halloween episodes, notably in Season 6, and various Christmas specials. For instance, The Bleaken is a mythical creature introduced in Season 8, drawing inspiration from the not-so-jolly figure known as Krampus.

Another notable entry features a painfully relatable dilemma, showcasing Bob’s explosive confrontation with his critical father during a holiday gathering, a conflict that has been simmering for years. In Season 7’s “The Last Gingerbread House on the Left,” a reference to the infamous Wes Craven horror film, neighborhood gossip swirls around a mysterious house owned by a murderous resident, culminating in a chaotic gunfight over a gingerbread contest. These storylines, while dark, can’t quite match the profound sense of melancholy established in the show’s inaugural Christmas episode from Season 3.

In a particularly bizarre twist, a character voiced by Zach Galifianakis is infatuated with a mannequin, but the Belchers are willing to overlook this peculiar quirk due to the stunning window displays he creates for them. However, when Bob accidentally makes a careless remark, the man retaliates by crafting a macabre display where ketchup bottles imitate “blood.” This scene, while reminiscent of Miracle on 34th Street, veers dangerously close to the horror elements found in Silent Night, Deadly Night. Yet, these entries lack the persistent sense of danger that defines “Christmas in the Car,” which leans more towards horror movie territory than previous or subsequent holiday episodes.

The journey to the tree lot is a daunting hour away. The Belchers traverse a snowy, desolate road where the only respite is a diner. While the usual antics of Bob getting flustered serve as comedic relief, this time, the atmosphere builds a sense of dread as he alone recognizes the ominous candy cane truck tailing them. In true horror movie fashion, a cop fails to provide assistance when Bob seeks help, and unfortunately, the family lacks a functioning phone due to middle child Gene’s (Eugene Mirman) insistence on keeping the line open to request a holiday tune on the radio. But how does this all connect back to the chilling Spielberg thriller? For those who haven’t seen the gripping Duel (1971), the homage in this episode might not be immediately apparent.

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A Deep Dive into Spielberg’s ‘Duel’ and Its Influence on ‘Bob’s Burgers’

Steven Spielberg, the legendary director, has made appearances in various Bob’s Burgers episodes — such as in Season 3’s “The Deepening,” where a mechanical shark prop goes haywire and wreaks havoc outside the Belcher restaurant. Before Jaws instilled a fear of the aquatic, Spielberg transformed an ordinary tanker truck into an unrelenting monster. In his TV movie Duel, the protagonist David Mann (Dennis Weaver) encounters a sluggish tanker truck that becomes the catalyst for a harrowing chase. The truck emits billowing clouds of black smoke from its exhaust, intensifying the tension. After passing the truck, David believes he has escaped, only for the truck to accelerate and overtake him. The interaction seems benign until David realizes the truck driver is anything but friendly, transforming the vehicle into a relentless predator.

David’s character is depicted as a husband grappling with a strained relationship with his off-screen wife. As he engages in a relentless game of cat-and-mouse with the tanker truck, he narrowly avoids being run off the road and seeks refuge at a diner (which parallels the Belchers’ own retreat). David’s paranoia peaks when he suspects that the truck driver might be hiding among the diner’s patrons. However, Bob Belcher doesn’t have the luxury of being lost in his thoughts; his family keeps him grounded and distracted. They dismiss his concerns over the pursuing candy cane truck. After a hair-raising encounter, the family also finds refuge at a diner where Linda yearns for a Dutch Baby pastry, while the kids poke fun at their father’s fears.

Just like David, Bob finds no help at the diner. A grumpy cop shows little concern and is visibly irritated by Bob’s account of surviving road rage. At one point in Duel, David is required to assist a school bus filled with unruly, energetic kids. The camera zooms in, amplifying the tension as David tries to help while the truck looms ominously in the background. In Bob’s Burgers, there is no need for a bus full of rowdy children, given that the Belcher kids are the ones instigating the chaos from the start.

‘Bob’s Burgers’ Offers a Festive Homage to Spielberg’s Mastery

When Bob struggles to back out of the tree lot, the kids assure him it’s safe to do so, oblivious to any potential obstacles. Suddenly, the candy cane truck blares its horn and slams on the brakes. In response, Linda retaliates by honking their family car’s horn, playfully beeping out a version of “Jingle Bells.” Numerous humorous gags punct