In the latest installment of the action-filled Christmas movie trend, J.K. Simmons steps into the role of Santa, following in the footsteps of Kurt Russell, Mel Gibson, and David Harbour. Titled Red One, this $200 million production from Amazon MGM Studios transitions from streaming to theatrical release and combines various genres to deliver a festive experience packed with family-friendly entertainment and a healthy dose of tongue-in-cheek humor.
Directed by Jake Kasdan, who previously worked with Dwayne Johnson on Jumanji, the film centers on Johnson’s character, Callum Drift, who oversees security at the North Pole and is on the brink of retirement when Simmons’ Santa—codenamed Red One—is abducted just two days before Christmas Eve.
Teaming up with Jack O’Malley (played by Chris Evans), a skilled tracker and Level 4 Naughty Lister, Callum encounters iconic Christmas figures brought to life, including Kristofer Hivju’s portrayal of Krampus and Kiernan Shipka’s Grýla, the Christmas witch.
The impressive cast features Lucy Liu portraying Zoe Harlow, a character reminiscent of Nick Fury in this fantastical realm. Additionally, Bonnie Hunt plays a Mrs. Claus who would likely blend seamlessly into the Real Housewives scene, along with Nick Kroll and Mary Elizabeth Ellis rounding out the lineup.
Red One is packed with action scenes primarily showcasing Johnson and Evans, with Liu getting a brief moment as well. Although Simmons spends a significant portion of the movie unconscious, he does manage to engage in some rooftop parkour after Christmas is saved—much to the eye-rolling dismay of the skeptical Jack, who expresses what many cynical viewers might be thinking.
It would have been great to see Hunt get in on the action too, especially since she and Simmons clearly deviate from the traditional Santa and Mrs. Claus image by training together in their home gym. Who would have guessed Santa could be so fit?
While the quest for the genuine essence of Christmas may seem like an antiquated idea, Santa continues to serve effectively as a quintessential American marketing icon. The classic struggle between naughty and nice evolves into a more complex lesson, illustrating to children that their misdeeds do not define them and that it’s always possible to choose kindness. T
his is a realization experienced by Evans Jack and his son Dylan (Wesley Kimmel), as the estranged father ultimately reestablishes his bond with his child, rediscovering his own youthful spirit in the process. Similarly, Johnson’s Callum undergoes an absurdly literal transformation when he regains the ability to perceive others’ inner children, which rejuvenates his belief in his profession.
Absolutely, it’s a bit corny, but this film truly shines when it fully embraces that cheesiness. If that causes you to groan, remember that this is a holiday film primarily designed for children who have binge-watched the entire MCU on Disney twice, while their parents are in need of a break. Nonetheless, there are still some clever jokes sprinkled in for the more cynical adults who will undoubtedly find themselves accompanying their families to the theater.
Red One fully embraces its campiness, approaching its themes with such earnestness that it circles back to sheer absurdity. The commitment to the narrative is unwavering, with conversations about the Naughty List delivered with a gravitas typically reserved for discussions of nuclear codes. It’s reminiscent of a toddler presenting you with a toy phone—when they call, you play along. Kasdan and screenwriter Chris Morgan certainly played their part in this whimsical performance.
The inaugural installment features a cast filled with veterans from DC and Marvel (and Hunt), making it easy to envision a holiday action series flourishing in today’s landscape of established intellectual properties. It’s worth noting that the Santa figure familiar to American culture originated from an 1863 illustration in Harper’s Weekly, created to encourage good behavior among children while promoting capitalism—so not much has shifted over time.
While the concept of a Christmas cinematic universe might initially seem absurd, incorporating characters like Krampus and other lesser-known festive legends provides an intriguing twist. If Tim Allen can star in three films and a two-season Disney show as Santa, then I’m all for supporting this franchise.
The film Red One, set to be released on November 15, 2024, is produced by Hiram Garcia, Dany Garcia, and Melvin Mar. The executive producers include Johnson, Morgan, and Kasdan.
Directed by Jake Kasdan and written by Chris Morgan with a story contribution from Hiram Garcia, the cast features Dwayne Johnson, Chris Evans, Lucy Liu, Kiernan Shipka, Bonnie Hunt, Kristofer Hivju, Nick Kroll, Wesley Kimmel, and J.K. Simmons. The movie has a PG-13 rating and runs for 2 hours and 2 minutes. It will be distributed by Amazon MGM Studios.