Red One Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

The Rock and Captain America team up to save Santa from a grumpy witch because apparently, Christmas is now a government-protected asset.

🍿 Red One: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Disenchanted Protector and a Skeptical Hacker

Callum Drift, head of security for Santa Claus, is disillusioned with the growing naughtiness in the world. Jack O’Malley, a hacker and Santa skeptic, is hired to track Santa’s coordinates for an anonymous buyer. Their paths collide when Santa is kidnapped, forcing them to work together.

The Kidnapping and the Unlikely Alliance

Santa’s abduction throws the North Pole into chaos. Director Zoe Harlow of MORA (Mythological Oversight and Restoration Authority) discovers Jack’s involvement and enlists his help to find Santa. Callum, reluctant but determined, teams up with Jack, embarking on a globe-trotting mission.

Unraveling the Conspiracy and Facing Mythological Foes

Callum and Jack track down Ted, a broker who reveals the kidnapper to be the winter witch Gryla. They face off against Gryla’s snowmen henchmen and seek help from Krampus, Santa’s estranged brother. Their journey uncovers a sinister plot to punish everyone on the Naughty List.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Callum Drift (Dwayne Johnson): The North Pole’s Head of Security, an ELF agent who is tasked with protecting Santa Claus and saving Christmas.
• Jack O’Malley (Chris Evans): A notorious hacker and bounty hunter who reluctantly teams up with Callum to rescue Santa and reconnect with his son.
• Santa Claus (Nick) (J.K. Simmons): The legendary gift-giver who is kidnapped, setting off a globe-trotting adventure to save Christmas.
• Gryla (Kiernan Shipka): The vengeful winter witch and main antagonist who kidnaps Santa, seeking to punish those on the Naughty List.
• Krampus (Kristofer Hivju): Santa’s estranged adoptive brother, who initially refuses to help but ultimately assists in rescuing Santa and stopping Gryla.
• Zoe (Lucy Liu): The Director of MORA, a clandestine organization protecting the mythological world, who aids Callum and Jack in their mission.
• Mrs. Claus (Bonnie Hunt): The supportive wife of Santa Claus who provides assistance during the crisis at the North Pole.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Jack O’Malley: “You don’t have a Wonder Woman action figure, do?” – Asking about action figures after using a storage of the toy store in Germany.
• Santa Claus: “Ho, ho, hold on!” – Santa Claus’s version of the expression when he is about to fight.
• Callum Drift: “We save Christmas. That’s what we do.” – Cal talking about the job he has done for 542 years.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $350,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $97,000,759
• Worldwide Gross: $185,900,759

💥 Red One Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so ‘Red One’ isn’t a cinematic masterpiece, but I honestly had a blast! The whole concept of Santa having a security team and a secret agency protecting Christmas is just so ridiculous, it’s hilarious. Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans have great chemistry, and even though the plot gets a bit convoluted, I found myself laughing throughout. The action scenes are over-the-top, but who cares? It’s a fun, festive flick that doesn’t take itself too seriously, and sometimes that’s exactly what I need. Plus, J.K. Simmons as a buff Santa? Genius!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans”
  • “People who enjoy action-comedy movies with a Christmas theme”
  • “Viewers looking for a lighthearted holiday adventure”
  • “Viewers who enjoy mythology and action movies with creative world-building”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Action violence”
  • “Mild language”
  • “Some frightening images”
  • “Demonic possession and witch themes”

Professional Reviews

• IndieWire: “Red One is a chaotic mess, a holiday-themed action flick that fails to deliver either genuine laughs or thrilling action. Despite the star power, it’s a surprisingly dull and uninspired addition to the Christmas movie canon.
• Variety: “The movie tries to blend action and Christmas magic, but the mix is uneven. While Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans have moments of fun, the story is predictable and the visual effects are inconsistent, making for a passable but not memorable holiday film.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “While ‘Red One’ has its moments of humor and some decent action sequences, it ultimately suffers from a convoluted plot and a lack of genuine Christmas spirit. The performances are adequate, but the film feels like a missed opportunity.

Audience Reactions

Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans’ comedic timing made this movie surprisingly funny.: The action and humor blend well, offering something different for a Christmas movie.

The creative and unique take on Christmas lore was entertaining.: Viewers enjoyed the fresh spin on traditional Christmas stories.

Overall Consensus: Red One is a divisive movie, with some finding it a fun, action-packed twist on Christmas movies and others considering it a chaotic and uninspired mess.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film blends elements of action, adventure, comedy, and fantasy, aiming for a unique tone within the Christmas movie genre.”
• “The movie combines Icelandic, Alpine and Nordic traditions to create a unique world.”
• “Director Jake Kasdan previously directed Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle and Jumanji: The Next Level.”

🖥️ How to Watch Red One?

As an Amazon Original movie, ‘Red One’ is exclusively available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video. Subscribers can watch it at no additional cost. It’s also often available for rent or purchase on platforms like Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube Movies, and Vudu, providing options for those without a Prime Video subscription. Check your local listings for availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Red One, you might like these similar films:

• Violent Night (2022): Shares a similar blend of Christmas themes with action and dark humor, offering a subverted take on holiday traditions.
• The Santa Clause (1994): Explores the magical aspects of Santa Claus’s world and the responsibilities that come with it, albeit in a more family-friendly and comedic way.
• Elf (2003): Presents a humorous and heartwarming take on Christmas, with a protagonist navigating the human world while embracing the holiday spirit.
• Klaus (2019): An animated film that reimagines the origin story of Santa Claus, with a unique visual style and a heartwarming message.

🛒 Red One Related Products

• Red One: Santa’s Security Squad T-Shirt: Show your support for Santa’s elite protection force with this comfortable and stylish t-shirt featuring the Red One logo. A must-have for fans of the movie!
• Red One: The Official Movie Novelization: Dive deeper into the world of Red One with the official novelization. Explore expanded storylines, character backstories, and behind-the-scenes details not seen in the film.
• Red One: North Pole Defender Action Figure Set: Collect all your favorite Red One characters with this highly detailed action figure set. Includes Dwayne Johnson as Callum Drift, Chris Evans as Jack O’Malley, and a bonus J.K. Simmons Santa figure!
• Red One: Save Santa Adventure Game: Embark on a thrilling adventure to save Santa in this action-packed video game. Play as Callum Drift and team up with Jack O’Malley to battle mythical creatures and solve puzzles to rescue Santa and save Christmas! Available for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X.

🎧 Soundtrack

Red One features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Here Comes Santa Claus” – performed by Ray Conniff
• “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” – performed by Mariah Carey
• “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” – performed by Mariah Carey

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

JK Simmons – The truth behind those photos

Check out how JK Simmons, at age 61, transformed his body for ‘Justice League’ and ‘Red One’. It’s incredible!

Red One and the Absurdity of Modern Movie Budgets

Dive into the curious case of ‘Red One’, a movie with a mind-boggling budget of $250 million. Why the hefty price tag? Let’s find out.

✨ Rate