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

Film critics slayed Red One, which is expected to make a loss.& Warner Bros Pictures. by Alexander Sergeant, University of Westminster It’s the most wonderful time of the year – a time for caroling 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. Looking for something good? Cut through the noise with a carefully curated selection of the latest releases, live events and exhibitions, straight to your inbox every fortnight,...