A Holiday Misfire

“Red One” Movie Review

Photo by Melody Yu/Maclay Andalusian

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD!!

Holiday movies are often expected to bring excitement, joy and the spirit of Christmas to our screens, especially with fan-favorite actors such as Chris Evans and Dwayne Johnson. Unfortunately, “Red One” misses the mark on nearly every level. From its lackluster performances and confusing plot, the film struggles to find direction. It also feels more like an extended commercial rather than a story.

With high-profile actors like Evans and Johnson starring in the cast of “Red One,” the film has all the markings of a blockbuster hit. Yet, the performances were underwhelming. In particular, Evans struggled with his character’s inconsistent New York accent, which seemed to come and go at random intervals. Meanwhile, Johnson’s role felt very constricting; it offered few opportunities for him to shine. It also does not help that the film’s dialogue-heavy approach left little room for the emotional depth that these actors could have delivered. Overall, the movie showcased lengthy conversations and boring interactions, erasing the potential of its A-list cast.

While the central storyline of “Red One” provides a clear goal—to save Santa—the film is riddled with many plot holes. For instance, the fate of several supporting characters is left hanging, as the story abruptly shifts focus without resolving their arcs. For instance, why did Krampus return to save his brother after centuries of bad blood? The movie never explains his sudden change of heart, making this pivotal moment dull and shallow. That said, there is at least some consistency in its story with its predictable, yet wholesome theme. The film highlights the idea that every day and decision offers a chance to do good, a message reinforced through the repeated mention of the “naughty or nice” list. 

“Although the story’s message was quite generic, I still appreciated it,” sophomore Elsa Bykova said. “It was a nice and wholesome message nonetheless.”

If there is one thing “Red One” delivers with holiday spirit, it is product placement. The film features not one, not two, but three separate car ads. In these scenes, either Evans or Johnson picks a car from a Hot Wheels pack, magically blows it up to full size and drives off. This is so unnecessary, especially since the film repeats the setup almost identically each time. Additionally, these scenes do not contribute much to the plot or character development; instead, they feature a drawn-out, awkward conversation inside the car. It is hard to stay immersed in the world of “Red One” especially when it keeps reminding you of its corporate sponsors.

At its core, “Red One” is a movie that promises a lot with its big-name stars and festive setting, but it falls flat on what could have potentially been a holiday hit. That said, if you find yourself bored, looking for something to watch with familiar faces and willing to set your expectations to zero, “Red One” might just be the movie for you. It is not particularly memorable nor a cinematic masterpiece—but it is a movie. And sometimes, that is all you are looking for.

<Star Rating>

Acting: ★★★★★

Plot: ★★★★★

Character development: ★★★★★

Overall: ★★★★★