The holiday season in Salem is shaping up to be anything but merry. Days of Our Lives has unleashed a chilling “Nightmare Before Christmas” promo for the week of December 15–19, 2025,

and it has set the fandom ablaze. Theories are flying, alliances are fracturing, and the sense of impending disaster is impossible to ignore. From a full-blown Kiriakis civil war to

the DiMera family being stuffed into a crypt like sardines, this is Days at its most unhinged—and most compelling.

Let’s break down the chaos, the character dynamics, and the looming question that dominates every conversation: who is the true mastermind behind Salem’s holiday horror?

Justice for Xander: The Kiriakis Civil War Explodes

First, we must address the tension simmering inside the Kiriakis mansion. Fans are deeply divided over the ongoing power struggle between Xander, Maggie, and the rest of the household—and the promo suggests this conflict is about to reach a breaking point.

At the heart of it all is Xander Cook, a man who has spent years being treated as the family’s disposable enforcer. He does the dirty work, takes the blame, and is then pushed aside when it’s time for respect or reward. Now, despite being Victor Kiriakis’ legal heir, Xander is made to feel like an unwelcome guest in his own home. Emotionally, this is a powder keg.

Yes, Xander has a violent past. Yes, he’s made unforgivable mistakes—including attempts on Philip’s life. But in Salem’s moral universe, redemption is rarely clean. What’s fueling fan outrage isn’t Xander’s history—it’s the hypocrisy around him. While he’s actively trying to be a better man, a devoted father, and a supportive husband, others in his orbit have been lying, manipulating, and posturing as morally superior.

The house itself has become a symbol of this injustice. Victor’s presence still lingers in every hallway, and if anyone truly embodies Victor’s ruthless survival instincts, it’s Xander. Watching other residents—particularly Brady, lounging around as if he owns the place—only deepens the insult. The promo hints that Xander’s patience is nearing its end, and when a Kiriakis snaps, the fallout is never small.

Don’t be surprised if Christmas Eve ends with Xander reclaiming what he believes is rightfully his, even if that means kicking everyone else out. For many viewers, that moment would feel less like villainy and more like long-overdue justice.

The DiMera Dungeon: Capacity Reached

Meanwhile, across town, the DiMera family is facing a nightmare of their own—quite literally underground. The infamous DiMera crypt has become Salem’s most overcrowded location, with Chad, Theo, and a growing list of captives trapped below.

The setup is absurd, yes, but it’s classic Days. The sheer number of people being thrown into the crypt has crossed into campy territory, yet that’s part of the show’s enduring charm. Still, beneath the humor lies genuine tension.

Chad DiMera is unraveling, haunted by the belief that he’s come face-to-face with the remains of his late wife, Abigail. Enter Theo Carver, who emerges as an unexpected emotional anchor. No longer the child fans remember, Theo brings calm logic and quiet strength to the chaos. His presence highlights how much he’s grown—and how desperately the DiMeras need someone grounded in reality.

The irony of this situation is delicious. The most powerful family in Salem, stripped of wealth, technology, and control, forced to spend Christmas cramped together in a cold crypt. This isn’t just physical torture; it’s psychological warfare. With nowhere to hide, secrets are bound to surface. Confessions will be made. Relationships may not survive what’s said behind that locked door.

This feels intentional. Whoever orchestrated this didn’t just want to imprison the DiMeras—they wanted to expose them.

The Puppet Master: Who’s Behind the Nightmare?

Which brings us to the central mystery: who is responsible?

The promo teases a shadowy figure and a final-second reveal that has fans dissecting every frame. Three main suspects dominate the conversation.

Peter Blake stands out as the frontrunner. His potential return aligns perfectly with the timeline, and his history is rich with resentment, jealousy, and DiMera-adjacent chaos. As Stefano’s adopted son and Chris Kositchek’s brother, Peter fits seamlessly into this narrative of legacy and revenge. Bringing him back would be a reward for longtime viewers and a direct callback to the show’s golden era.

Dmitri is another strong contender. Erratic, dramatic, and dangerously unpredictable, Dmitri kidnapping half the town for attention would be entirely in character. If he’s behind it, expect campy villain monologues and theatrical cruelty.

Then there’s the most unsettling theory of all: Dr. Wilhelm Rolf. The mad scientist’s fingerprints are all over this storyline. Rolf doesn’t kidnap for money or power—he kidnaps for experiments, ideology, and unwavering devotion to the DiMera legacy. Some fans believe he’s attempting to spark a new DiMera uprising or even pave the way for Stefano’s resurrection—again.

The most compelling possibility? A combination. Rolf as the architect, Peter Blake as the manipulated enforcer. Imagine Peter returning, not fully in control of his own mind, molded into a twisted successor to Stefano. Mind control, legacy obsession, psychological horror—this is Days of Our Lives in its purest form.

Even the music choice in the promo—a haunting piano cue—suggests whoever is behind this sees themselves not as a criminal, but as an artist of pain.

Chanel’s Secret: A Baby Bombshell?

Amid kidnappings and estate wars, a quieter but equally explosive storyline is unfolding. Chanel Dupree has been keeping a secret—and all signs point to pregnancy.

Subtle clues show Chanel visiting a doctor, avoiding Johnny, and carrying an unspoken weight. A baby should be joyful, especially as Chanel and Johnny finally find stability. But secrecy changes everything. Why hasn’t she told him? Is she afraid? Or worried about timing, given the DiMera family crisis?

If Johnny learns the truth while his loved ones are missing, his reaction may not be celebratory. It could feel like betrayal. And if EJ becomes involved—as he inevitably will—this pregnancy could either unite the fractured family or destroy it completely.

In Salem, even miracles come with consequences.

Brady, Marlena, and Rachel: A Family on the Brink

Finally, we turn to one of the most emotionally complex arcs of the week: Brady, Marlena, and young Rachel.

Marlena’s decision to place Rachel in treatment without Brady’s knowledge has ignited fierce debate. As a parent, Brady has every right to feel betrayed. You don’t institutionalize someone’s child behind their back. Yet Marlena isn’t just a grandmother—she’s a psychiatrist who sees warning signs others ignore.

Rachel’s behavior has grown increasingly alarming, echoing the manipulative tendencies of her mother, Kristen. Brady, weighed down by guilt, has enabled rather than disciplined her. Marlena made an impossible choice, trying to prevent Rachel from becoming a younger version of Kristen—even if it meant sacrificing her relationship with Brady.

The promo imagery of Brady wandering Maggie’s house in a bathrobe is painfully symbolic: a man who has lost control, drifting instead of leading. A confrontation between Brady and Marlena feels inevitable—and it won’t be resolved with a simple apology.

Final Verdict: A Week of Explosions

The week of December 15 promises a relentless pressure cooker. Xander is nearing his breaking point. The DiMeras are trapped, exposed, and unraveling. Chanel is holding life-altering news. A mystery villain lurks in the shadows, possibly with Dr. Rolf pulling the strings.

Days of Our Lives is ending the year by fully embracing its signature madness—and that’s exactly why fans keep coming back. Love it or hate it, Salem never plays it safe.

So the question remains: should Xander reclaim the mansion by force? Who is the figure in the nightmare promo? And would you survive Christmas locked in the DiMera crypt?