The Red One is coming to town — And Trump is Back in Office
Soon, the year ends with holiday cheer and festivities, and the big news is ringing. Donald Trump will once again serve as President of the United States. For most voters, the economy seems to have topped the priority list. Of course, it’s understandable to want the best for loved ones, however, from an outsider’s perspective, it’s baffling that a loudmouth—with a record that includes both offensive rhetoric and actual criminal charges—is returning to power. He’s earned a spot on Santa Claus’ Naughty List, and that’s exactly what RED ONE is about.
WHEN SANTA CLAUS CAME TO BERLIN
Germany is gearing up for one of its most cherished traditions—the Christmas market season. While larger cities often lean into kitsch and commercial vibes, it’s the smaller, historic towns where these markets transform into true fairytale worlds, captivating visitors of all ages.
Even if Dwayne Johnson, Chris Evans, Lucy Liu, J.K. Simmons, Kiernan Shipka, and the rest of the RED ONE crew may have missed out on these enchanting markets, they brought Hollywood magic to Berlin for the film’s world premiere. Together, they visited the iconic Brandenburg Gate in the city’s heart and had a blast on the red carpet at the Uber Arena.
The RED ONE Storyline
Santa Claus, aka Nick, aka RED ONE, is prepping with his team for the holiday season. Hence, everything seems under control, except for his head of security, Callum Drift, who’s about to quit after seeing the world grow harsher each day. Things take a wild turn when the witch Grýla abducts Santa, determined to punish everyone on his Naughty List. A final mission for Callum, who teams up with hacker Jack O’Malley—a guy on the Naughty List himself—to rescue Santa just in time for Christmas.
The Cast
CALLUM DRIFT A.K.A. CAL (Dwayne Johnson)
Johnson plays Santa’s no-nonsense security chief, who’s also the head of North Pole’s E.L.F. operations. He brings his classic charisma to the role and takes on production duties, too. While we love seeing him in action, RED ONE doesn’t allow him to truly shine like he did in Jumanji.
JACK O’MALLEY (Chris Evans)
Chris Evans steps away from superhero roles to portray a failed tech whiz who gambles his money away instead of caring for his family. He’s on Santa’s Naughty List, which makes him relatable, though we don’t get fully attached to Jack’s character in the storyline.
SANTA CLAUS A.K.A. NICK (J.K. Simmons)
The seasoned J.K. Simmons brings his usual mix of wit and sass to Santa, giving this character a fresh twist. However, while it’s fun, he doesn’t quite capture the heartwarming vibes that make us feel connected to the character.
ZOE HARLOW (Lucy Liu)
Lucy Liu appears in a minor role as Zoe, a mythological security chief, protecting Santa and all things magical. Her presence adds intrigue to the lineup but doesn’t quite steal the spotlight.
Additionally, Kiernan Shipka, known for Sabrina, plays the antagonist Grýla, a witch with a not-so-evil mission: punish those on the Naughty List. While her plan seems justified, Callum and Jack naturally team up to thwart her. Furthermore, Wesley Kimmel, Jimmy Kimmel’s nephew, plays Jack’s son, Dylan. Dylan loves music and longs for his father’s attention. This rebellious character gives us a glimpse into the challenges of family relationships.
RED ONE Review
Of course, RED ONE has entertaining moments and an uplifting message about self-reflection and the potential for change. While the action scenes are intense and visually appealing, the thin storyline and underwhelming character portrayals don’t quite deliver the warmth we expect from holiday movies.
Classics like It’s A Wonderful Life, The Polar Express, or even the action-packed Die Hard have set a high bar, and even Violent Night proved that a Christmas film can pack a punch while still hitting us right in the feels.
Adding to its challenges, RED ONE faces boycotts from theaters, anticipating a quick shift to streaming platforms. This affects cinemas, making their boycott somewhat understandable. However, despite the criticism, the film’s concept has its charm. After all, if a mythical force could temporarily cage those who lack heart, empathy, or respect, it might just be a fitting lesson for some—maybe even one person for, say, the next four years.
Our verdict? RED ONE gets 5 out of 10. Best enjoyed on the small screen with popcorn and hot cocoa, it might just stir up a touch of holiday spirit.
Movie Images: WARNER BROS. / Berlin Event: Andre Mischke
Text: Marco Kokkot
