"Red One": A Christmas Tale Masking Pagan Themes and Horror

On the surface, Red One, starring Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans, might seem like an ambitious attempt to reimagine the Christmas movie genre. With a staggering $250 million budget, the film boasts high-octane action, elaborate visuals, and star power. However, beneath the glitz lies a troubling narrative that strays far from the true spirit of Christmas. When I first started watching, my immediate thought was, "Which Christmas movie producer has enough stacks to drag out Captain America and Maui out?" Then I continued watching, and boy, was I surprised—well, by Santa’s very cool ride and his President of the United States-level FBI security. But as the story progressed, it became clear that the film's focus shifted far from the warmth and hope of Christmas, leading it into unfamiliar and questionable territory.

Demonic Themes in a Holiday Film

Red One ventures into territory that’s unsettling for a Christmas movie. The plot involves a mission to rescue Santa Claus (St Nick), which, while unique, takes a bizarre turn when the characters journey to a hell-like realm and interact with demons. At one point, the protagonists receive help from Santa's demonic evil brother, Krampus—half goat, half devil—who seems more aligned with dark pagan folklore than Christmas cheer. There’s also an evil witch using spells to further complicate the mission. 

A long standing contemporary argument questions the celebration of Christmas in December and how Santa, with all his traditions, is tied to a pagan history. While that’s a discussion for another time, it’s hard to ignore how the film intertwines these darker elements, especially since December 25th is now universally celebrated as Jesus Christ’s birthday, a Christian holiday. Given the context, it feels especially strange to layer these demonic and pagan themes onto a story that’s meant to be about the joy and light of Christmas.

Misplaced Priorities

The film’s focus on dark, pagan themes detracts from any semblance of holiday joy. While the action sequences and Santa’s high-tech car provide entertainment, they can’t compensate for the unsettling undertones. Christmas movies should inspire hope, love, and faith, not glorify demonic imagery or pagan ideas.

A Financial and Moral Disconnect

Despite its colossal budget, Red One seems to lack a coherent message. Yes, it’s designed to be a blockbuster hit, but at what cost? Films like The Star demonstrate that staying true to the heart of Christmas doesn’t just make spiritual sense—it makes financial sense too. Audiences are hungry for stories that uplift and inspire, not ones that distort the holiday’s meaning.

Some Good Moments in Red One- 

Trivializing spiritual conversations is disrespectful to believers.

That said, there were definitely a few moments in Red One that didn’t suck, despite the film's strange departure from traditional Christmas themes. First off, the cast is impressive—Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Chris Evans lead the charge, which immediately caught my attention. I knew getting both of them would cost a pretty penny, so I was already skeptical about the originality of the plot. And sure enough, the story revolves around Santa getting kidnapped, with all the elves and security doing the needful to save him, and restore balance on earth- for the children. (Think, Taken, but Liam Neeson is The Rock) and Santa is his daughter. Got it? The direction, led by Lucy Liu, brings a fresh and unique flair, especially when you see the dynamic between characters like The Rock’s character (who’s great, despite the plot’s ridiculousness) and a mercenary bounty hunter called "The Wolf," (Chris Evens) a morally questionable tracker who’s so cold-hearted that he steals a baby’s candy. There’s also a fun moment when a kid insists he doesn’t believe in Santa, and when asked about reindeer fuel, his father quips, "Carrots," which made me laugh out loud. Another highlight is Santa’s secret service—complete with a futuristic, Michael Knight-level car that's attached to high-tech security measures, adding a cool, action-packed vibe. Plus, the fight scenes are top-notch, especially when you see The Rock in action, and The Wolf, channeling his Captain America energy. Lastly, the film explores a healing father-son relationship, which adds a surprising emotional depth. All in all, there were enough fun, unexpected moments to keep me entertained, even if the film veered too far from the true spirit of Christmas.

A Call to Return to True Christmas Values

Filmmakers must remember that Christmas is fundamentally about the birth of Jesus Christ. Straying too far from this central truth results in movies like Red One, which, while flashy, ultimately feel hollow. It’s time for Hollywood to recognize that the essence of Christmas cannot be captured without acknowledging its foundation. You can’t make lemonade without lemons, and you can’t speak about Christmas without Jesus.