This Christmas season, Red One (2024), a fast-paced, action-packed holiday movie starring Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans, presents Santa Claus, the jovial old elf himself, in a whole new light. Red One, which was directed by Jake Kasdan, combines thrilling action scenes with a family-friendly festive spirit to create a new and exciting take on Christmas mythology. Fans of explosive adventure and joyful escapism will find the movie to be an exciting and thrilling experience.
The premise of Red One is intriguing: the entire Christmas operation is thrown into disarray when Santa Claus (now known as “Red One”) is abducted from the North Pole. Santa must be located and rescued by the North Pole’s Head of Security, a seasoned former special forces agent named Callum Drift (played by Dwayne Johnson), in order to save him and, eventually, Christmas itself. The twist, though, is this: Known as “The Hunter” and having his own convoluted motivations, Chris Evans portrays a famed bounty hunter with whom Callum must work. In order to stop the evil forces endangering the festive season, they must travel the world together, from the frozen Arctic to busy urban settings, in a race against time.
The film revolves around the relationship between action-comedy legends Johnson and Evans. Their conversation and opposing personalities—The Hunter’s arrogant, unpredictable swagger and Callum’s somber, no-nonsense attitude—create an interesting dynamic that gives depth to what could otherwise be a simple action movie.
Red One does not let Kasdan, who is well-known for his work on Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, down. Kasdan has a talent for fusing heartfelt humor with exciting action. High-speed chases, spectacular battle sequences, and audacious stunts abound in the movie. Callum and The Hunter have to avoid armed mercenaries during a nighttime rooftop chase across a snow-covered city in one particularly memorable scene. The set pieces are amazing, and the action sequences with a Christmas theme and the enchantment of the North Pole are brilliantly enhanced by the computer-generated imagery.
However, Red One is truly elevated by its lighthearted fusion of fiction and action from the real world. The movie knows when to embrace its over-the-top ridiculousness and when to anchor its characters in more poignant moments, as evidenced by its battle-ready elves and shiny, weaponized sleigh. There are definitely some dramatic moments, but there’s also a nice, festive vibe all throughout.
Callum Drift is portrayed brilliantly by Dwayne Johnson, who brings a hilarious yet tough demeanor to the part. In the quieter, more intimate moments as well as the action scenes, he is equally convincing. When compared to Evans’ equally captivating performance as The Hunter, Johnson’s charm and talent for physicality make him the ideal choice for this action hero.
Chris Evans, on the other hand, is obviously enjoying his role as the antihero and seizing every chance to portray him with a keen sense of comedy. His role has a whimsical quality that complements Johnson’s straight-man performance, and there is no denying the two performers’ chemistry. As much fun as any of the action set pieces is watching their characters fight and develop together throughout the movie.
Red One’s portrayal of Santa presents a more contemporary interpretation of the well-known figure. A delightful twist that gives the legend more depth is Santa’s change into a more secretive, hardened operative, played by a remarkably stoic actor (whose identity I’ll leave as a spoiler for you to find out). Even though he is still the cheerful guy we all know and adore, he is now a formidable opponent.
Red One remembers its festive origins even if it is mostly an action movie. There are many allusions to Christmas customs and holiday clichés, and the humor is lighthearted and playful. The way it reimagines the well-worn concept of Santa Claus in a high-stakes action setting—think Die Hard meets The Santa Clause, with a dash of Mission: Impossible—is refreshingly irreverent. There are several references to Christmas culture throughout the movie, which frequently humorously subverts expectations while retaining the enchanted, heartwarming spirit that makes the season unique.
Red One is a great choice for families seeking something a little more action-packed to see over the holidays, even though it might not be the most in-depth examination of Christmas spirit.
Red One delivers exactly what it promises: an exciting, action-packed holiday adventure. It’s a fast-paced, enjoyable ride with a comforting core. It’s a lighthearted film that captures the fun and wonder of Christmas without taking itself too seriously. Chris Evans and Dwayne Johnson have a great rapport, and the film’s innovative interpretation of Christmas mythology is novel and captivating. Red One offers something for everyone, regardless of whether you’re in the mood for a holiday movie or simply enjoy action films.
Although it doesn’t completely reinvent the Christmas film genre, it does give it a new, exciting twist. Red One is one of the more unique and exciting ways to enjoy the enchantment of Christmas this year. Who knows? Perhaps it will even become a new custom.
