'Red One' Movie Review: The First Film to Punch Me in the Back and Spit in My Face

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When a film promises an action-packed Christmas adventure starring Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans, expectations naturally run high. However, for me, Red One manages to shatter those expectations in the most spectacular way possible, delivering a 2-hour experience that’s less holiday cheer and more holiday despair.

For those not familiar with the film, it follows Santa Claus – Code Name: RED ONE – who is kidnapped, and the North Pole’s Head of Security (Dwayne Johnson) must team up with the world’s most infamous bounty hunter (Chris Evans) in a globe-trotting, action-packed mission to save Christmas.

Check out the trailer below.

Red One Movie Trailer

Red One Movie Review: What I Did and Didn’t Like

While the film’s trailer didn’t inspire much confidence, I remained hopeful—particularly because it was shot locally in Georgia. But when I arrived at the press screening, I realized it was actually in 4DX, an experience I had not yet had—and honestly forgotten about.

For those of you not familiar with 4DX (which was a surprising number of folks from an Instagram poll that I did), here’s what you need to know. The 4DX technology transforms the viewing from a passive movie-watching experience into a physical assault (or at least that’s what it felt like to me). Imagine a roller coaster crossed with a massage chair gone rogue – that’s the 4DX experience. Seats violently lurched, water sprayed at random moments depending on what was on screen, and I lost count of how many times the chair seemed to punch me during action sequences. While some might find this immersive, I found it more distracting than engaging (that being said, I do wish I’d seen Twisters in 4DX. There’s less punching in that film).

But let’s talk about the actual film.

The Story

The screenplay, helmed by Chris Morgan, feels like a hodgepodge of half-baked ideas desperately trying to masquerade as a coherent narrative. The dialogue ranges from forced banter to cringe-worthy attempts at humor. Evans and Johnson, typically charismatic actors, seem trapped in a script that gives them little room to showcase their comedic talents.

What’s particularly confusing is the film’s identity crisis. It’s too violent and laden with adult language to be a children’s movie, yet simultaneously too ridiculous to appeal to adults. The film exists in a bizarre limbo, unsure of its target demographic. Mythological creatures like Krampus and a Christmas witch named Gryla are thrown into the mix, adding layers of nonsensical complexity that do nothing to elevate the storytelling.

The Acting

Chris Evans and Dwayne Johnson, typically reliable actors known for their charismatic screen presence, fall surprisingly flat in Red One. Evans portrays Jack O’Malley as a standard-issue roguish bounty hunter – a character type he’s played before, but without the spark that usually makes his performances engaging. His performance lacked the natural chemistry he’s demonstrated in previous buddy comedy roles.

Johnson’s Callum Drift follows a similarly predictable trajectory, playing yet another muscular, tough guy with a hidden soft side. While both actors have proven chemistry together (and they do have some enjoyable banter), the weak screenplay gives them little room to develop meaningful interactions. Their performances end up feeling more like contractual obligations than genuine artistic commitments, trudging through scenes with a sense of professional detachment rather than the infectious energy they’ve brought to other films.

Lastly, the supporting cast, including talented actors like J.K. Simmons as Santa and Lucy Liu as a MORA supervisor, are criminally underutilized. Simmons’ Santa is presented as a workout enthusiast who is also forever optimistic, a concept that might have been interesting if explored more deeply. Instead, he’s reduced to delivering cookie-related one-liners that fall flat.

Special Effects

Visually, the film relies heavily on special effects, with some sequences executed well and others feeling like cheap video game cutscenes. Given the final product, the reported budget of $250 million seems almost insulting. It’s hard to imagine this film recouping even a fraction of its production costs.

Overall Thoughts

What’s most disappointing is the missed potential. A Christmas action-comedy featuring two of Hollywood’s most charismatic stars should be a slam dunk. Instead, Red One feels like a cynical cash grab, more interested in selling a concept than telling a genuine story. The film’s attempts at emotional depth – like Jack’s complicated relationship with his son – feel shallow and unconvincing.

And the 4DX experience, much like the film itself, was overwhelming and ultimately unsatisfying. Seats that violently moved, unexpected water sprays, and random vibrations didn’t enhance the storytelling; they distracted from it. It felt like the technology was compensating for the film’s lack of genuine excitement.

For fans of Johnson and Evans, this will be a painful viewing experience. For those hoping for a unique Christmas action-comedy, look elsewhere. Red One is less a movie and more an endurance test – both for its characters and its audience.