Red One: Should You Stream This Christmas Action Mess?
Published On: December 15th, 2024
The 2024 holiday season saw the release of Red One, a Christmas action film with an eye-watering budget, a star-studded cast, and a surprising leap to streaming mere weeks after its theatrical debut. Directed by Jake Kasdan and featuring Dwayne Johnson, Chris Evans, and J.K. Simmons, this Amazon MGM production promised a fresh take on holiday movies. However, it has proven divisive among audiences and critics alike, becoming the latest example of a blockbuster that struggled to find its footing in theaters but thrived on streaming.
What Red One is about
The film follows Callum Drift (Dwayne Johnson), the stoic head of North Pole security, who must team up with Jack O’Malley (Chris Evans), a cynical hacker and bounty hunter, to rescue Santa Claus (J.K. Simmons) after his abduction by the winter witch Grýla (Kiernan Shipka). The duo embarks on a globe-trotting adventure rife with action, Christmas folklore, and comedic chaos. Despite the lighthearted premise, the movie attempts to inject deeper themes of redemption and belief in humanity, albeit with mixed results.
Behind the scenes: The drama and the dollars
Red One began production in 2022 with a reported budget of $200 million, which ballooned to $250 million due to alleged on-set issues, including Dwayne Johnson’s rumored tardiness. The film was initially planned as a Prime Video exclusive, but strong test screenings persuaded Amazon MGM Studios to pursue a theatrical release.
Premiering internationally on November 6, 2024, and in the U.S. on November 15, the movie floundered at the box office, earning only $166.9 million globally—well below the break-even mark. With poor critical reception (a 30% score on Rotten Tomatoes), the studio expedited its streaming release on December 12, hoping to recoup some costs through Prime Video’s vast subscriber base. This strategy has paid off, as Red One quickly became the platform’s top-ranked movie, resonating with holiday viewers.
A messy movie with big aspirations
At first glance, Red One seems poised to be a holiday blockbuster: a massive budget, an A-list cast, and a fresh twist on Santa Claus. Yet, despite its glittering facade, the film is an unfocused mess that struggles to find its identity. Is it a Christmas comedy, an action-packed start of a supernatural cinematic universe, or a heartfelt family story? The movie tries to be all three and falters, leaving viewers with a jarring blend of tones that don’t quite mesh.
The story begins by introducing us to Evans’ Jack O’Malley, a cynical bounty hunter and a candy-stealing rogue. Paired with Callum Drift (Dwayne Johnson), Santa’s stoic head of security, the two embark on a globe-trotting mission to rescue Santa after his kidnapping by Grýla (Kiernan Shipka), a witch bent on destroying Christmas. While this premise has potential, the execution feels disjointed.
The pacing jumps from overly serious moments to slapstick comedy without giving either time to breathe. Jack and Callum’s dynamic lacks chemistry, and their interactions often feel forced. Evans brings occasional humor with his sarcastic charm, but Johnson’s Callum remains stiff, and his supposed “crisis of faith” is underdeveloped, leaving his redemption arc hollow.
One of the movie’s biggest flaws is its inconsistent tone. At times, Red One feels like it’s attempting the bombastic fun of Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, only to veer into overly sentimental territory. The cinematography and visual effects fluctuate as well, with some sequences showcasing impressive CGI and others marred by choppy editing and overuse of shaky cam. For instance, a nighttime snowstorm action scene is so poorly lit and edited that it’s nearly impossible to follow.
The $250 million budget raises questions. While the North Pole’s high-tech design and Santa’s commanding sleigh provide occasional spectacle, much of the movie feels generic. The action sequences lack the polish or creativity one would expect from a film of this scale, and the reliance on CGI delivers mixed results.
Even the cast, packed with talent, feels underutilized. J.K. Simmons stands out as a weightlifting, booming-voiced Santa Claus, bringing much-needed charisma. Evans does his best with a thinly written role, but his humor can only carry the film so far. Meanwhile, Lucy Liu is wasted in a thankless role that involves little beyond barking orders. Johnson’s performance feels stale, relying heavily on his usual “The Rock” persona without bringing depth to his character.
There are occasional glimpses of a better movie. The idea of an action-hero Santa supported by a North Pole security force is amusing in concept, and some Christmas-themed action set pieces have a certain charm. However, these moments are few and far between, lost in a sea of tonal whiplash and sloppy storytelling.
Ultimately, Red One aims high but misses the mark. It tries to reinvent the Christmas movie genre with a modern, action-packed twist but ends up as an uneven mishmash of ideas.
The final verdict
If you’re looking for a mindless holiday movie to stream from the comfort of your couch, Red One might scratch the itch. It’s flashy, festive, and occasionally entertaining. But if you’re hoping for a cohesive, well-crafted film that captures the magic of Christmas, this isn’t it. That said, the convenience of streaming and the novelty of seeing Chris Evans and Dwayne Johnson team up might make it worth a watch—just don’t expect a holiday classic.
Red One is now streaming on Prime Video. If it’s not available in your region, a VPN might just save the (holiday) day.
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