Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Conversation
The Conversation
Lifestyle
Alexander Sergeant, Lecturer in Digital Media Production, University of Westminster

Red One: this Dwayne Johnson flop demonstrates Hollywood’s longstanding problem with Christmas

It’s the most wonderful time of the year – a time for carolling and concerts, trees and tinsel, mulled wine, open fires and, of course, The Rock (aka Dwayne Johnson). Or at least, that is, according to Hollywood. The action star’s latest film, Red One, has been playing in cinemas across the world since mid-November. But critically, it’s been regarded as a bit of a stinker.

For those who missed it, the film was conceived as the first instalment of a Christmas-themed action franchise. It casts Dwayne Johnson as Callum Drift, commander of the North Pole’s Enforcement Logistics and Fortification (ELF) – Santa’s security team.

When Santa is kidnapped on Christmas eve, Drift must team up with a band of Santa soldiers and mercenaries played by action stalwarts like Chris Evans and Lucy Liu, all of whom must punch their way through Lapland to defeat the evil forces attempting to destroy Christmas.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.