--- title: "Red One" year: 2024 kind: "film" canonical: "https://film.one/film/red-one" fi1m_id: "red-one" imdb_id: "tt14948432" tmdb_id: 845781 wikidata_id: "Q114876737" fi1m_score: 44 critics_score: 41 critics_reviews: 13 published: "2026-09-09" updated: "2026-09-18T08:37:57.523514+00:00" region: "RO" licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Red One (2024) Directed by Jake Kasdan · 2h 04m · RO 12 · Action, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy ## Identity Red One - **Canonical:** https://film.one/film/red-one - **Type:** Film - **Fi1m ID:** red-one - **IMDb ID:** tt14948432 - **TMDB ID:** 845781 - **Wikidata ID:** Q114876737 - **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14948432/, https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/845781, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q114876737 **Fi1m score: 44** · Critics 41 from 13 reviews *In a sentence:* Two hours of Dwayne Johnson frowning at elves, and by the end we saw his point > Jake Kasdan turns the North Pole into a security agency and Santa into a hostage, and J.K. Simmons is the only person on screen who seems to think Christmas is worth saving. A big, grey, joyless machine with one warm bulb in it. ## Synopsis Santa Claus, known to his staff as Nick (J.K. Simmons) and to the security detail as Red One, is taken from the North Pole in the days before Christmas. Callum Drift (Dwayne Johnson), the head of that detail, has handed in his notice and now has to get him back before the sleigh is due. Zoe (Lucy Liu), who runs the Mythological Oversight and Restoration Authority, points him towards Jack O’Malley (Chris Evans), a tracker for hire who found the Pole’s location for a client and did not ask who the client was. Jack has a son, Dylan (Wesley Kimmel), he keeps letting down. The two men set off across the world, with Krampus (Kristofer Hivju) and a witch called Gryla (Kiernan Shipka) somewhere along the route. ## Review Santa Claus, called Nick by his staff and played by J.K. Simmons, is kidnapped from the North Pole in the run-up to Christmas, and *Red One* is about the two men sent to fetch him. Callum Drift (Dwayne Johnson) runs the Pole’s security and has handed in his notice. Jack O’Malley (Chris Evans) is a tracker for hire who located the Pole for a client and did not ask why. Jake Kasdan’s film puts them in a car together for 124 minutes and waits for the sparks. They do not come. This is a Christmas film built like a spy film, and it has kept the guns and lost the tree. The idea, credited to Hiram Garcia for story and Chris Morgan for screenplay, is that Christmas is a government operation. Lucy Liu’s Zoe runs something called the Mythological Oversight and Restoration Authority from a room full of screens. The elves wear earpieces. Santa has a code name, which is the title. It is a decent joke for about ten minutes, and then the film keeps telling it, in the same voice, with more helicopters each time. Simmons is the reason to stay. He plays Nick as a large, unhurried, decent man who lifts weights, remembers every child’s name and is not frightened of anyone, and he does it without a wink. We were bored for long stretches of this film, and then we were cross about being bored, because every time Simmons came back on screen we could see the warmer, sillier picture the rest of the cast was not making. Evans gets the few laughs there are, playing Jack as a man who has let everyone down and knows it. Mary Elizabeth Ellis as his ex Olivia and Wesley Kimmel as his son Dylan give him two scenes of something like a life. Bonnie Hunt’s Mrs Claus is on screen for perhaps five minutes and is missed. Johnson is the problem at the centre, and since he is also a producer it is a problem he chose. He plays Drift as a frown in a coat. The man is meant to have lost faith in people, but Johnson does not play doubt, he plays disapproval, and there is no give in him for Evans to bounce off. A buddy film needs two people willing to be embarrassed. Here one of them is. The look does the rest of the damage. Bill Brzeski’s North Pole is steel, glass and grey concrete, an airport terminal with tinsel, and Michael Crow puts Santa’s guards in black tactical gear, so the one place in the film that could have been red and gold is the colour of a car park. Dan Mindel shoots the set pieces at night, a fight with computer-generated snowmen in a suburban street among them, and the figures never look as if they weigh anything or could hurt anyone. Three editors, Tara Timpone, Mark Helfrich and Steve Edwards, cut the fights so fast it is hard to say who hit whom. Henry Jackman’s score is loud throughout and rarely tells us how to feel. There is one stretch where the film wakes up. The visit to Krampus, played by Kristofer Hivju under a good deal of prosthetic, is lit by firelight with real bodies in the frame, the creature slaps people for sport, and for ten minutes the picture has the handmade quality of an old fairy tale. Kiernan Shipka’s Gryla, a witch out of Icelandic legend, is introduced with some care too. Both are given less to do than the snowmen. Kasdan made *Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle* with Johnson in 2017, and that film knew a trick this one has forgotten: give the stars a joke they can play against themselves rather than a premise they have to stand next to. The 12A certificate is about right, which is the difficulty. Small children will find the kidnapping and the monsters frightening, and anyone older will find the jokes about elves in earpieces too gentle to bother with. Most critics disliked it and we are with them, with a nod to Simmons. *Fi1m score 44, published 9 September 2026.* ## What the critics say Most critics find Red One charmless: an effects-heavy action comedy that spends a great deal and delivers little Christmas feeling. The complaints cluster around the screenplay, which several reviews call lazy or confused, and around action sequences judged poorly staged and swamped in CG. Tone is the other problem: too intense for small children, too bland for teenagers, with no clear sense of who it is for. What praise there is goes to J.K. Simmons as Santa, singled out by more than one review as the most committed thing in the film, and to the world-building around Christmas mythology. The spread is wide at the lower end, from mild disappointment to outright hostility, with The Times calling it the poorest film of Dwayne Johnson’s career. The dissenters are few: Deadline finds it a self-aware, entertaining commitment to a silly premise, and Film Stories thinks it a good-humoured crowd-pleaser, though even it notes some cheap-looking effects. ## Straight answers **Is Red One worth watching?** *Red One* is not worth an evening for most people, and we scored it 44. Jake Kasdan's Christmas caper puts Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans in a car for 124 minutes and waits for jokes that do not come, in a North Pole the colour of a car park. J.K. Simmons's warm, unwinking Santa is the one reason to stay. **How long is Red One, and what is it rated?** *Red One* runs 2h 04m and is rated 12 by the RO in Romania. It is an action and adventure film. **Where can I watch Red One in Romania?** *Red One* is streaming on HBO Max and Amazon Prime Video in Romania, and it is also available to rent from Amazon Prime Video from lei 10.00. Availability is checked daily; the links above go straight to each service. **How violent or frightening is Red One, and is it suitable for children?** *Red One* is a 12A, and we think that is about right, which is the difficulty. The kidnapping of Santa and the monsters, Krampus among them, will frighten small children, while the fights with computer-generated snowmen are fast and weightless rather than bloody. Anyone older will find the humour too gentle to hold them. **How does Red One compare to Klaus?** *Red One* is the louder and weaker of the two, and [*Klaus*](https://film.one/film/klaus) is the one to choose. Kasdan's live-action film turns Christmas into a spy operation with helicopters and tactical gear, while Sergio Pablos's animation earns its sentiment slowly through handsome drawings and quarrelsome people. Families wanting warmth should pick *Klaus*; only J.K. Simmons's Santa argues for the other. **What should I watch after Red One?** After *Red One*, try [*Arthur Christmas*](https://film.one/film/arthur-christmas) (2011, Fi1m 82): The North Pole as a logistics operation, done with wit and actual warmth. Then [*Klaus*](https://film.one/film/klaus) (2019, Fi1m 77): A Spanish animated origin for Santa that earns its sentiment slowly and honestly. ### Reviews we read (19) - **The AV Club** (C-): The critic finds it a joyless slog that reimagines the holiday as an Amazon subsidiary, with a few moments of inspiration amid the cheerlessness. They single out the muted, grounded production design that drains the fun from the premise. [Read](https://www.avclub.com/red-one-review) - **The New York Times** (50/100, inferred): The review frames the film as a bold but uneven attempt to turn the Santa story into a Marvel-style action spectacle with Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans. [Read](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/14/movies/red-one-review.html) - **Slant Magazine**, Justin Clark (45/100, inferred): The critic says it tries to straddle naughty and nice but ends up being nothing, with not enough memorable moments for a holiday classic. They single out the mild eccentricity and J.K. Simmons' committed performance as Santa as the elements that slightly elevate it. [Read](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/red-one-review-dwayne-johnson-chris-evans/) - **Empire**, Helen O'Hara (40/100, inferred): The critic finds the film engineered and lacking fresh ideas despite some heart and fun moments, criticizing its focus-grouped approach and bombast over character focus. They single out the mismatched heroes' arcs for mild praise but note the overall small amount of cheer. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/red-one/) - **Radio Times**, Terry Staunton (2/5): This disappointing action comedy features lazy and predictable spy spoof tropes with gags that land with a dull thud, making it feel like an overlong, formulaic yarn despite occasional bright spots from supporting cast members. [Read](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-6ooddu/red-one/) - **RogerEbert.com**, Zachary Lee (40/100, inferred): The critic notes the film's sprawling scale and ambition in reimagining Santa but finds it lacks narrative depth and emotional substance, with action sequences that are poorly executed and a garish visual style. [Read](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/red-one-dwayne-johnson-chris-evans-film-review) - **Vulture** (40/100, inferred): The review sees it as a technically passable but unoriginal action-comedy transparently stitched from parts of better movies. They single out the familiarity as the point, with elements reminiscent of many holiday films without following through. [Read](https://www.vulture.com/article/review-netflixs-red-one-will-remind-you-of-better-movies.html) - **The Guardian**, Wendy Ide (30/100, inferred): The film is a cynical, soulless action-adventure that imagines Santa as a quasi-militaristic operative whose kidnapping forces a partnership between a tough security chief and a hacker. It is a charmless, CGI-heavy spectacle that falls into an ill-considered audience no man’s land: too intense for little kids and too bland for teens and genre fans. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2024/nov/10/red-one-charm-free-festive-caper-dwayne-johnson) - **Los Angeles Times**, Katie Walsh (20/100, inferred): The critic finds the film a confounding mess that fails to connect action and Christmas elements, with poor chemistry between leads, awful action sequences, and jokes that do not land. [Read](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2024-11-13/red-one-review-dwayne-johnson-chris-evans) - **Variety**, Owen Gleiberman (20/100, inferred): The critic argues the film kicks off the holiday season with less true Christmas spirit than most, directed with charmless energy as an overstuffed action fantasy and buddy movie rather than a comedy. [Read](https://variety.com/2024/film/reviews/red-one-review-dwayne-johnson-chris-hemsworth-j-k-simmons-1236199619/) - **IndieWire**, Ryan Lattanzio: The review deems it a charmless, blockbuster-sized lump of coal and a franchise nonstarter that will make you wish Christmas was canceled. They single out the absence of mirth in the screenplay and production. [Read](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/red-one-review-dwayne-johnson-1235062639/) - **Screen Daily**: The effects-heavy action comedy has a disarming sweetness undone by an overly complicated plot and tired blockbuster conventions, but offers enough novelty in its world-building and some heart from Dwayne Johnson to satisfy undemanding families. [Read](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/red-one-review/5198830.article) - **The Hollywood Reporter**, David Rooney: The critic calls it a high-concept, CG-saturated bore that lacks heart and infectious humor despite huffing toward some poignancy. They single out the stubbornly unmagical quality of the mythology and fantasy elements. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/red-one-review-dwayne-johnson-chris-evans-christmas-1236054244/) - **The Times**, Kevin Maher (★☆☆☆☆): This Christmas-themed action movie is tedious, confused and the poorest film of Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson’s career, a gobsmackingly awful hotchpotch with a near-illiterate screenplay. Gross, grim yuletide yuck. [Read](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/film/article/red-one-review-the-rock-movie-chris-evans-00lqn5v58) - **Deadline**, Glenn Garner (75/100, inferred): The critic finds the film a self-aware, absurd Christmas action comedy that commits fully to its high-concept premise of rescuing Santa, blending family-friendly fun with mythological elements in an entertaining way. [Read](https://deadline.com/2024/11/red-one-review-dwayne-johnson-chris-evans-1236165948/) - **The Wrap** (65/100, inferred): The review describes the expensive action comedy as not nearly as awful as its premise suggests, delivering a functional, breezy and slightly above average experience with some fun ideas despite inconsistent execution. [Read](https://www.thewrap.com/red-one-review-dwayne-johnson-chris-evans/) - **Digital Spy**, Ian Sandwell (2/5): The critic calls it a festive flop with no energy or funny banter, generic plot, poor action, though praises JK Simmons as Santa. Verdict is negative, best as sleepy post-dinner viewing. [Read](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a62801725/red-one-review/) - **Collider**, Nate Richard: The film is not a disaster but also not particularly memorable or worth rushing to theaters for, landing in a middling spot between self-parody and franchise setup. The critic singles out the creative Krampus sequence and Chris Evans' charm for praise while criticizing the inconsistent tone, unclear target audience, and wasted mythology. [Read](https://collider.com/red-one-review/) - **Film Stories**, James Harvey: The critic finds the film a perfectly entertaining and good-humoured festive action flick that delivers as a solid holiday crowd-pleaser with big stars and cheeky humour. They single out the imaginative world-building around Christmas mythology and the pleasingly physical stunt work for praise, while noting some visual effects look disappointingly cheap. [Read](https://filmstories.co.uk/reviews/red-one-review-a-jolly-action-sleigh-ride/) ## Details - **Director:** Jake Kasdan - **Director:** Jake Kasdan - **Screenplay:** Chris Morgan - **Story:** Hiram Garcia - **Cinematography:** Dan Mindel - **Editor:** Tara Timpone, Mark Helfrich, Steve Edwards - **Music:** Henry Jackman - **Production design:** Bill Brzeski - **Costume design:** Michael Crow - **Producer:** Dany Garcia, Hiram Garcia, Dwayne Johnson - **Cast:** Dwayne Johnson as Callum Drift; Chris Evans as Jack O'Malley; Lucy Liu as Zoe; J.K. Simmons as Nick; Bonnie Hunt as Mrs. Claus; Kristofer Hivju as Krampus; Kiernan Shipka as Gryla; Mary Elizabeth Ellis as Olivia - **Runtime:** 2h 04m - **Certificate (RO):** 12 - **Release (Romania):** 8 November 2024 - **Genres:** Action, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy - **Budget:** $250 million - **Box office:** $186 million - **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7l3hfD74X-4 ## Where to watch in Romania - HBO Max: streaming - Amazon Prime Video: streaming, uhd - Amazon Prime Video: rent lei 10.00, hd - Amazon Prime Video: buy lei 54.99, hd *Checked 2026-09-10.* Also available in: AE, AR, AT, AU, BE, BG, BR, CA, CH, CL, CO, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HK, HR, HU, ID, IE, IL, IN, IS, IT, JP, KR, LT, MX, MY, NL, NO, NZ, PA, PH, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SG, SI, TH, TR, UA, US, ZA. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country. ## If you liked this - *Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale* (2010): A Finnish Santa dug out of a mountain, and properly frightening about it. - *Arthur Christmas* (2011), Fi1m 82: The North Pole as a logistics operation, done with wit and actual warmth. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/arthur-christmas.md) - *Violent Night* (2022): Santa as an action hero, played straight and cheerfully nasty by David Harbour. - *The Nice Guys* (2016): Two mismatched men in a car who are both willing to look foolish. - *Klaus* (2019), Fi1m 77: A Spanish animated origin for Santa that earns its sentiment slowly and honestly. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/klaus.md) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/film/red-one