The film constantly tries to build its own unique mythos, aiming to set up sequels that may never even happen. It cracks jokes that don’t always land and struggles to decide whether it wants to take itself seriously or play into the absurdity of its concept.
However, despite what the trailers might suggest, Red One is not the complete disaster it might have seemed. There’s a certain holiday spirit present throughout the movie that feels genuine. Maybe it’s this spirit that brings a sense of joy, or maybe it’s because Red One has a nostalgic vibe, as if it could have been a major hit in 2005.
In 2024, however, it seems destined to settle onto Prime Video within a month. Red One isn’t the lump of coal in your stocking that you might have feared. That being said, it’s also not the shiny gift under the tree.
What Is Red One About?
The plot centers on Callum Drift, or “Cal” (played by Johnson), who is head of the North Pole’s elite E.L.F. (Emergency Lodge Force) unit. Cal’s job is essentially the head of security for Santa Claus himself, played by J.K. Simmons. The two have worked side-by-side for centuries.
However, Cal has grown tired and frustrated with the ever-dwindling Christmas spirit that he sees in the world. Every year, it seems like fewer people believe in the magic of Christmas, and it’s taken a toll on Cal. This year, he decides to hand in his resignation, announcing that this will be his final Christmas season in service to Santa.
But Cal’s plans are interrupted. Just a few days before Christmas, Santa Claus is kidnapped by Grýla, a wicked witch played by Kiernan Shipka. Grýla’s abduction of Santa sends shockwaves through the North Pole, and Cal quickly realizes that he can’t take on the rescue mission alone. He reaches out to Zoe Harlow (Lucy Liu), the North Pole’s supernatural surveillance director, to help him track down Santa’s location.
As they dig into the mystery, Cal and Zoe discover that Santa’s location was leaked to Grýla by none other than Jack O’Malley (Chris Evans), a bounty hunter, hacker, and all-around scoundrel. Jack is a notorious figure, the kind of person who steals candy from babies and has little regard for the people around him. In fact, Jack is a Level 4 Naughty Lister, a rank that even he might find hard to dispute.
Jack’s life isn’t exactly glamorous, and his strained relationship with his son Dylan (Wesley Kimmel) only adds to his misery. He’s a washed-up loser, and he’s never believed in Santa Claus. So, when he inadvertently reveals the North Pole’s coordinates, he doesn’t even realize the consequences of his actions.
However, once he learns the gravity of what he’s done, Jack is transported to the North Pole, where he’s forced to join Cal in his mission to rescue Santa. The two form an unlikely partnership, one that closely follows the classic buddy-cop formula seen in many Dwayne Johnson movies like Central Intelligence, Baywatch, and Red Notice.
The adventure that follows is full of over-the-top holiday action. From battling giant snowmen to infiltrating Krampus’ (Kristofer Hivju) fortress, Cal and Jack travel across a snow-covered world to save Christmas.
Along the way, they even find a way to turn Hot Wheels toys into real vehicles, adding a playful touch to the action. In many ways, the film feels like a standard Dwayne Johnson action movie with a festive twist.
Red One Doesn’t Know Its Audience
With its cast of characters—including talking polar bears, CGI elves with an uncanny valley look, and Santa himself—it’s easy to assume Red One was made for young children who still believe in Santa Claus. The visuals and fantasy elements seem tailored for a younger audience. However, the movie is rated PG-13, which restricts the very audience it seems to be targeting.
Red One only includes brief moments of profanity, and without these moments, it would likely have received a PG rating, making it more accessible to younger viewers.
As it stands, the film has just enough holiday cheer and a few laughs to be enjoyable, but some members of its target audience won’t be able to watch it due to its rating. This discrepancy between the film’s content and its rating points to a larger issue in the production process.
Director Jake Kasdan has worked with Johnson before, and with success. The two collaborated on the Jumanji movies, which were far more entertaining than many anticipated. Those films had broad appeal, reaching audiences of all ages. However, Red One feels different.
Kasdan doesn’t seem as confident about the type of movie he wants to make here. Instead, it feels like he was brought on board largely because of his past work with Johnson.
Moments of Charm in Red One
Despite its struggles to balance humor and action, Red One does have moments that make it watchable. The movie is filled with plenty of laughs, both intentional and unintentional. Chris Evans’ character frequently reacts with utter confusion to the chaos around him, adding humor to the situation.
Meanwhile, Johnson’s character often delivers the film’s exposition with a serious tone, which sometimes creates unintentional laughs, as his lines feel surprisingly grandiose for a Christmas movie.
The world-building elements in Red One are also creative. Simmons’ portrayal of a buff, “Jacked Santa” brings a unique twist to the traditional Santa character, and he fits well within the action-packed storyline.
The concept of a militarized North Pole, complete with a security force and surveillance, is strange but adds a memorable element to the film. However, Red One doesn’t seem interested in showing these creative ideas deeply, opting instead for slapstick humor and the buddy-cop dynamic between Johnson and Evans.
One of the highlights of Red One comes when Cal and Jack make their way to Krampus’ fortress. Many of the film’s CGI backgrounds are noticeable, and the design of the elves has an uncanny quality that can be unsettling. However, in this scene, the film leans more on practical effects, which works to its advantage.
Krampus’ character design, though surprisingly edgy, stands out as one of the film’s bold creative choices. The characters in this sequence feel distinct, and it’s one of the few times when Red One truly embraces a unique visual style.
Familiar Performances and Underused Characters
In Red One, Johnson plays a character similar to those he has portrayed in previous action films. He’s the confident and somewhat cocky straight man, which is effective but not particularly memorable.
In movies like Central Intelligence and Jumanji: The Next Level, Johnson leaned into his comedic side, which made those performances stand out. Here, he seems restrained, holding back from fully embracing the goofiness that the movie’s premise might call for.
Chris Evans brings his usual charm to the role of Jack, starting out as a character similar to his role in Knives Out. Evans has spent much of his career playing the noble hero, but he has a knack for playing characters with rough edges.
He embraces the silliness of his character, making Jack both oafish and somewhat endearing. However, it’s hard to ignore the mismatch between his character’s rough demeanor and his physical appearance, which still looks very much like Captain America.
Other characters, unfortunately, receive far less development. Lucy Liu’s character, Zoe, spends most of her time delivering exposition in the background. Kiernan Shipka, who plays Grýla, the villain, seems miscast in the role. Her character supposedly has a complex backstory, but the movie gives little insight into her motivations.
J.K. Simmons, meanwhile, is perfectly cast as a tougher, more rugged Santa Claus. However, after the first twenty minutes, his character takes a back seat to the action, leaving Simmons with limited screen time.
Red One: A Mixed Bag for the Holidays
Red One is not an awful movie, but it’s not a must-see either. For those looking for a holiday film to watch in theaters, it might be worth the trip, especially for fans of Johnson and Evans. But waiting for it to arrive on Prime Video may be the better option.
The film does manage to deliver some Christmas spirit, even if it’s not the kind of spirit that will stick with you long after the credits roll.
While Red One isn’t a complete flop, it doesn’t quite justify its massive $200 million budget. The film is entertaining in parts, but it doesn’t offer anything particularly groundbreaking or memorable. It’s a holiday movie that tries to pack in too many elements—myth-building, humor, action, and nostalgia—and ends up spreading itself too thin.
Still from Red One (Credit: MGM)
Despite its flaws, Red One is a lighthearted watch that may provide a brief holiday escape. It’s a movie that brings together an A-list cast, a hefty budget, and a festive theme. Whether or not it lives up to its potential, Red One offers a blend of holiday cheer, action, and some laugh-worthy moments that may entertain those who are simply looking for a new Christmas movie to try.
Red One is set to release in theaters across the United States on November 15, bringing a unique mix of Christmas magic, action-packed sequences, and a few laughs to audiences just in time for the holidays.
The Garvey sisters have escaped the clutches of the evil John Paul (Claes Bang), but the first episode of Bad Sisters Season 2 proves that the shadows of their past are far from gone. Secrets buried in the family have a way of resurfacing, and this season promises a complex web of mysteries and a tense battle to keep their secrets hidden.
The Mystery of the Trunk
The episode begins with a tense, eerie scene at night. Eva (Sharon Horgan), Ursula (Eva Birthistle), Bibi (Sarah Greene), and Becka (Eve Hewson) are in a car driving along a winding road by the ocean. Becka shows signs of having been assaulted, her black eye a clear indication of the violence she’s endured.
As Eva drives, she nearly sends the car off a cliff but manages to correct herself, calmly telling her sisters, “We have it covered.” They approach a trunk, and when they open it, chaos ensues. The sight inside causes the sisters to scatter in terror, leaving the mystery hanging: What—or who—is inside the trunk?
The shocking discovery sets up the central mystery of the season and the credits roll. The haunting version of Leonard Cohen’s “Who By Fire” accompanies a new obstacle course of objects, foreshadowing the clues to come. The appearance of golf clubs and a turtle seems to hint at the strange path this mystery will take.
Grace’s Wedding and Hidden Tension
The episode flashes back to before the trunk scene, revealing that some time has passed since John Paul’s death. Grace (Anne-Marie Duff) is now engaged to Ian (Owen McDonnell), and they’re preparing for a wedding. In a strange moment, Grace chokes Ian in her sleep, an act that Ian laughs off, but which clearly signals something is off.
The Garvey sisters hold a bachelorette party for Grace at the horse races. Ursula, now single, enjoys flirting with jockeys, but Becka is uneasy, predicting that something will go wrong. Enter Roger (Michael Smiley), who helped Becka stage John Paul’s death. He arrives with his sister, Angelica (Fiona Shaw), who makes a negative impression.
Angelica is aggressive and awkward, and her behavior makes everyone uncomfortable, particularly when she tells Grace she should end things with Roger for good.
Though Grace invites Roger to the wedding, Angelica’s strange behavior continues. She places a winning bet but lies to Roger about forgetting to place it, making her intentions unclear. The title “The Wagon” appears on screen after Angelica’s name, suggesting a darker connection to Grace.
Discovery of George’s Body
Meanwhile, at John Paul’s mother’s house, new tenants find a suitcase that had been thrown into the pond. Inside, they discover skeletal remains, which are identified as John Paul’s father, George. The police are now investigating John Paul’s family, which brings Detective Inspector Fergal Loftus (Barry Ward) and his young trainee, Una Houlihan (Thaddea Graham), onto the scene.
Loftus, nearing retirement, is under pressure to solve the case, particularly since John Paul’s body was exhumed without official approval, and now there’s another dead body tied to the Garvey family. Loftus is determined to uncover the truth, which could lead to a reckoning for the Garvey sisters.
The Garveys at the Wedding
The Garvey sisters are united for Grace’s wedding, and it’s clear they’ve moved forward in some ways, but they’re still affected by their past. Becka is dating Joe (Peter Claffey), a man the other sisters are skeptical of. Bibi and her wife have chosen an egg donor to expand their family, and Eva is working with a menopause coach. Ursula, still dealing with the fallout from her divorce, does her best to remain civil with her ex-husband.
The wedding begins beautifully, with Eva walking Grace down the aisle, but as expected, chaos follows. Becka drinks too much and vomits in a plant, while Angelica aggressively pushes Eva to the ground to catch the bouquet. The real tension builds, however, when Roger dances with Grace.
He asks if she ever thinks about what they did, confessing that he can’t forget the guilt he feels over John Paul’s death. Grace apologizes, but it’s clear Roger’s conscience is eating away at him.
A Shocking Confession
Grace appears to settle into married life when Loftus and Houlihan arrive at her home to inform her about George’s body being discovered. Grace is caught off guard, as she thought George had abandoned the family years ago.
Loftus pushes her for answers, questioning why she withdrew the insurance claim for John Paul after his death. Grace insists John Paul took his own life, and she withdrew the claim to protect her daughter, Blanaid (Saise Quinn), from further trauma. Houlihan, however, isn’t convinced and believes Grace is lying.
This visit leads Loftus to send a text to Thomas Claffin (Brian Gleeson), warning that they need to talk about the Garvey sisters.
Grace tries to shake off the visit, but when Roger arrives at her house, distraught, he tells her he’s thinking of going to the police. Roger believes confessing will make everything better, but Grace tries to convince him otherwise. As they argue, Ian overhears their conversation. In a later scene, Angelica encourages Roger to confess, sensing that he’s hiding something, calling herself a “woman of the church” who can spot guilt.
Grace decides to share her darkest secret with Ian. She reveals that her first husband was abusive and raped Eva. Then, in a moment of raw vulnerability, she confesses, “I killed him.” Ian’s reaction is immediate and horrific. He slowly backs away, clearly disturbed by her words. He tells her he needs time to think before leaving, and Blanaid overhears her mother’s tearful breakdown.
The Fallout and the Return of the Past
The next morning, Blanaid runs to Eva’s house, telling her aunts that Ian has left and Grace is in turmoil. The Garvey sisters’ faces show immediate concern. The trouble they thought they had outrun has returned, and now it’s worse than before.
Loftus and Houlihan are hot on their trail, Roger and Angelica are dangerous wild cards, and Grace herself could undo everything with her confession. The Garveys now face the consequences of their actions, and they’re forced to confront the fact that their past will never truly stay buried.
With each new revelation, the sisters face the daunting reality that their lives may never be normal again. Will they have to commit another crime to protect their own? Will the Garveys continue to cover up the truth, or will they face the consequences of their past actions? Season 2 promises more twists and turns, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats.
The Stakes of Survival
As the investigation into John Paul’s death continues, the pressure on the Garvey sisters grows. The arrival of Loftus and Houlihan, alongside the unpredictable behavior of Roger and Angelica, only heightens the sense of danger. With each passing moment, the Garveys’ secrets become harder to keep hidden, and every decision becomes fraught with peril.
But the Garveys are a united front, and their loyalty to each other is their greatest strength. As the season unfolds, it will become clear how far the sisters will go to protect their family and keep their secrets safe.
The stakes are higher than ever, and the question remains: will the Garveys survive the mounting pressure, or will their dark past finally catch up with them?
The Dark Road Ahead
Season 2 of Bad Sisters keeps viewers on edge, balancing humor, tension, and mystery as the Garvey sisters fight to protect themselves from the consequences of their past. With new threats from Loftus, Houlihan, Roger, and Angelica, the Garveys are in more danger than ever. Their bonds are tested, their secrets challenged, and the choices they make could determine their fate.
Still from Bad Sisters (Credit: Apple TV)
As the series continues, one thing is clear: the Garvey sisters will stop at nothing to protect their own. But will it be enough to keep the truth from being exposed? Only time will tell.
But as the season progresses, it becomes clear that their old ways of hiding the truth may no longer work. The arrival of new characters like Loftus, Houlihan, Roger, and Angelica only heightens the tension, and it’s impossible to know who will turn on the Garveys next. Will the sisters be able to keep their dark secrets hidden, or will they be forced to confront the consequences of their actions?
In the end, Bad Sisters Season 2 is about the lengths we go to protect those we love and the heavy price we sometimes pay for keeping secrets.
As the Garvey sisters face new threats and old ghosts, they will have to decide how far they’re willing to go to ensure their survival. Whether they can keep their family intact without resorting to violence again remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the Garveys are a force to be reckoned with, and their story is far from over.
New episodes of Bad Sisters Season 2 are available to stream every Wednesday on Apple TV+ in the U.S.
