Red One

Is Amazon's $250 million Christmas blockbuster Red One a fresh take on holiday magic, or a cynical cash grab? Join Pete and guest Matthew Fox as they unwrap this action-packed holiday film starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Chris Evans. From buff Santas to beach-fighting snowmen, this episode explores how Hollywood's attempt to "Marvelize" Christmas might have missed the spirit of the season.Did Red One forget what makes Christmas special? We dive deep into how the movie's attempt to universalize Santa Claus across all cultures reveals a concerning lack of cultural awareness. The hosts explore why forcing Christmas onto everyone – including those who don't celebrate it – feels particularly tone-deaf in our current social climate.What happens when you mix Marvel-style action with holiday mythology? We examine how J.K. Simmons' surprisingly buff Santa and the movie's fresh take on Krampus reshape traditional Christmas lore. The discussion weighs whether these creative choices enhance or diminish the heart of Christmas storytelling. This episode brought to you by: LevelUp Lightsaber Audible Support The Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts: Become a member for just $5/month or $55/year Join our Discord community of movie lovers The Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts: Cinema Scope: Bridging Genres, Subgenres, and Movements The Film Board Movies We Like The Next Reel Film Podcast Sitting in the Dark Connect With Us: Main Site: Web Movie Platforms: Letterboxd | Flickchart Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Threads | Bluesky | YouTube | Pinterest Your Hosts: Pete | JJ | Steve | Tommy | Andy | Ocean Shop & Stream: Merch Store: Apparel, stickers, mugs & more Watch Page: Buy/rent films we've discussed Originals: Source material from our episodes Special offers: Letterboxd Pro/Patron discount | Audible