Red One promises an action-packed, fun-filled romp to save Christmas, featuring a star-studded cast led by Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans. While the film delivers on its festive premise in parts, it struggles to maintain its spark throughout, ultimately becoming a jumbled mix of holiday cheer and action clichés.
The story kicks off with Santa Claus—code-named “Red One”—being kidnapped, throwing the North Pole into chaos. Enter Callum Drift (Dwayne Johnson), Santa’s ever-dedicated bodyguard, who is just days away from retirement. Callum, gruff and world-weary, reluctantly teams up with Jack O’Malley (Chris Evans), the world’s most infamous bounty hunter, to rescue Santa and save Christmas. The plot centres on not only saving the jolly old man but also restoring happiness, innocence, and the magic of Christmas to a world losing touch with its inner child.
Dwayne Johnson plays Callum Drift with his trademark blend of stoicism and charm. Callum is weighed down by the burden of seeing more names added to the Naughty List each year—a reflection of society's declining kindness. His decision to retire, driven by this despair, adds an unexpectedly sombre tone to an otherwise light-hearted film. Johnson does his best to infuse heart into the character, but the script provides little room for nuance.
Chris Evans, meanwhile, takes a turn as the rogue bounty hunter Jack O’Malley. Known as "The Wolf," Jack is a loner with a painful past, having been forced to grow up too quickly. His journey of rediscovery—helping to save Santa while reconnecting with his estranged son—is intended to serve as the emotional core of the film. Evans brings a certain flair to the role, particularly in the comedic moments, but his banter with Johnson falls flat more often than it should. Oddly enough, their camaraderie during promotional events had more spark than their on-screen interactions.
Kiernan Shipka, as the villain Gryla, delivers a performance that is serviceable but not memorable. Gryla’s motivations—stemming from a desire to address the growing Naughty List problem—are underdeveloped, leaving the audience unsure whether she’s entirely wrong or simply misunderstood. Unfortunately, the character lacks the menace needed to serve as a credible foil to Johnson’s Callum.
The film borrows heavily from the visual and thematic playbook of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, resulting in an Avengers-esque vibe that’s hard to ignore.
Lucy Liu wields a pair of fighting rods in scenes that feel straight out of Black Widow’s combat arsenal. The North Pole, with its advanced technology and protective dome, could easily be mistaken for a snowy iteration of Wakanda.
Jack’s hand-to-hand combat sequence against a squad of elite elf soldiers in his apartment brings to mind Captain America’s fights in Civil War, complete with shield-like improvisation. Meanwhile, Callum’s use of shrinking and enlarging technology—from miniature cars to full-size vehicles mid-chase—channels Ant-Man in an uncanny, albeit entertaining, homage.
The film tries to juggle action, comedy, and holiday spirit but drops the ball on more than one occasion. While Jack’s cheeky humour brings some levity, the overall tone leans too heavily on seriousness, particularly with its gloomy perspective on the Naughty List crisis. The action sequences, though slickly choreographed, feel repetitive, and the resolution to the central conflict—how to handle the Naughty List—never truly materialises.
A glaring shortcoming is the lack of a cohesive narrative. The premise of saving Christmas should have been a treasure trove of fun and creativity, yet the film often feels like it’s playing it safe. Despite competent direction and cinematography, the material remains stuck in its formulaic roots, failing to rise above mediocrity. Read More
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