"Red One" Review: Dwayne Johnson’s Muscle and Magic Can't Save This Bland Christmas Comedy
In the new holiday film Red One , Dwayne Johnson stars as Callum Drift, Santa's buff personal bodyguard tasked with rescuing Santa from a kidnapping attempt. Co-starring Chris Evans as the rogue thief Jack O'Malley, this film aims to combine holiday magic with action-packed comedy. But despite its premise and an impressive cast, Red One struggles to find a balance between light-hearted holiday charm and high-octane action, resulting in a narrative weighed down by clichés and sentimentality.
The story revolves around Callum Drift, a security guard for Santa Claus (played by J.K. Simmons) who is questioning his faith in humanity, especially as the "naughty list" grows longer each year. Enter Jack, a cynical and sarcastic character who initially finds himself on the wrong side of Christmas lore but is reluctantly recruited to help Drift save Santa. Their team-up is intended to produce laughs and heartwarming moments, but the chemistry feels forced, with dialogue that falls flat and fails to ignite much humor. The film touches on themes of cynicism versus faith in the Christmas spirit, but lacks the emotional depth to make it resonate.
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With Jake Kasdan at the helm and a script by Fast & Furious writer Chris Morgan, Red One is packed with elaborate action sequences, enhanced by CGI-heavy reindeer, snowmen, and even a gritty, folklore-inspired villain in Krampus, portrayed by Kristofer Hivju. However, the frequent, intense action undermines the Christmas magic and charm, and the constant barrage of special effects ends up feeling more like a superhero movie than a family-friendly Christmas tale. The North Pole itself is visually spectacular but sterile, featuring advanced technology and an army of militant elves that feel more out of Star Wars than a holiday film.
J.K. Simmons brings a unique twist to Santa, portraying him as a jolly yet brawny figure who is all about fitness and discipline, adding some visual humor to the role. Yet, his interactions with Johnson’s Drift lack the warmth and humor expected in a Christmas flick. Meanwhile, Lucy Liu’s role as Zoe Harlow, Santa's chief of staff, feels like a missed opportunity, as her screen time is brief and her character underdeveloped. Even Kiernan Shipka’s role as the Christmas witch Grýla—a traditional villain from Icelandic lore—is overshadowed by a scattered narrative that keeps diverting from any meaningful plot.
Ultimately, Red One aims to be a feel-good holiday adventure, yet its heavy reliance on action over story leaves it feeling hollow. There are a few scattered jokes, including a reference to the Will Smith slap, but they lack the sharpness to resonate. The movie tries hard to be the next holiday classic, but with a bloated runtime and a formulaic approach, it feels less like a Christmas treat and more like a commercial for holiday consumerism. By Boxing Day, Red One might already be forgotten, another overblown holiday film that didn’t quite deliver the joy it promised.
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