Jack O’Malley isn’t good at much. He’s a lousy father, a failing businessman, and, frankly, not a great person. But there’s one thing Jack excels at: hacking. With the right tools and a little cash, there’s almost nothing he can’t crack. So when an anonymous client hires him to hack a mysterious location near the North Pole, Jack takes the job, unaware that it will change his life forever. Meanwhile, Callum Drift, head of E.L.F. and Santa Claus’s (code name: Red One) trusted right-hand man, is grappling with his own struggles. Disillusioned and unable to see the magic of Christmas anymore, Cal is ready to retire and start a new chapter outside the North Pole. But when Santa himself is kidnapped, Cal is forced to stay—and fight to save Christmas. Red One turned out to be nothing like I expected. I’m not sure what I was expecting, but it definitely wasn’t what I watched. Unlike most Christmas movies that warm your heart with festive cheer and feel-good moments, this film takes a drastically different approach. In fact, much like the ongoing debate about whether Die Hard is a Christmas movie, Red One feels more like an action-packed thriller with horror elements than anything traditionally festive. Though the story features Santa Claus and the North Pole, it lacks the charm and whimsy we associate with Christmas movies. Instead, it leans heavily into dark humor and eerie, unsettling characters like the Christmas Witch, Krampus, his hellhounds, and other creepy figures that feel more suited for a nightmare than a holiday tale. I was also shocked by how casually Satan and other demonic deities were mentioned throughout the movie, which added an unsettling undertone that felt wildly out of place for a film marketed as holiday entertainment. It’s also worth noting that the film is packed with profanity—ranging from mild to outright vulgar—so it’s not one to watch with younger viewers. That said, Red One does have a few redeeming qualities. The father-son reconnection between Jack and his son toward the end adds a heartfelt touch that provides some emotional payoff. And for fans of big-name actors, the star-studded cast—including Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Chris Evans—might be reason enough to tune in. Overall, Red One is a bold departure from traditional Christmas movies. If you’re expecting holiday magic and heartwarming cheer, this isn’t it. But if you’re in the mood for something unconventional—a mix of laidback horror, dark humor, and an action-packed thrill ride—you might just find yourself entertained.
