Joao Nsita
- Sep 23
- 5 min read

Red One Trailer: Dwayne Johnson & Chris Evans Use Christmas Gadgets to Save Santa!

The holiday movie season just got a serious upgrade, as Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Chris Evans team up for Red One, a wild new action-comedy that blends Christmas magic with explosive adventure. The extended trailer, which just dropped, shows the dynamic duo using high-tech Christmas gadgets to save none other than Santa Claus, who’s been kidnapped by what seems to be Halloween-themed villains. Yes, you read that right — Halloween might be at the heart of this Christmas crisis!

In Red One, Dwayne Johnson stars as Callum Drift, the head of North Pole security, while Chris Evans plays Jack O’Malley, a bounty hunter who reluctantly joins the mission to rescue Santa. The trailer reveals a storyline filled with holiday chaos, festive tech, and an unusual twist — the inclusion of Halloween elements in a Christmas movie. From fiery pumpkins to monstrous creatures like Gryla and Krampus, this action-packed film promises to turn holiday traditions on their head.

A High-Tech Christmas Mission

The trailer kicks off with Jack O’Malley getting ambushed by Zoe (Lucy Liu), the no-nonsense leader of a team sent to capture him. Zoe informs Jack that he’s been conscripted to help Callum find the missing Santa. From here, the trailer dives headfirst into the action as Callum and Jack navigate a series of high-tech Christmas gadgets designed to assist in their search for the kidnapped jolly old man.

One standout moment shows Callum turning a toy car into a life-sized vehicle using a special Christmas device. This, along with other imaginative holiday tools, adds a fun, whimsical element to the action-heavy scenes. The tech in Red One feels like a cross between Santa’s workshop and a James Bond film, and it’s sure to appeal to fans of both holiday films and adrenaline-fueled blockbusters.

Halloween Monsters in a Christmas Movie?

While Red One starts off feeling like a classic Christmas adventure, the trailer quickly shifts gears with the introduction of Halloween-themed villains. The visuals hint at a bizarre and thrilling crossover of holiday mythologies. We see terrifying imagery like a flaming pumpkin, a fiery horse, and the Icelandic monster Gryla, played by Kiernan Shipka. There’s also a brief glimpse of Krampus (Kristofer Hivju), a notorious figure from European folklore who punishes misbehaving children during the Christmas season.

The inclusion of these spooky characters adds a unique twist to the film, suggesting that Santa’s disappearance might be tied to something far darker than holiday hijinks. Could Halloween be taking over Christmas? The trailer leaves viewers with plenty of questions — and excitement for what’s to come.

An Explosive Holiday Adventure

As Callum and Jack continue their search for Santa, the action escalates with explosive fight scenes, CGI-heavy sequences, and a showdown involving what appears to be an army of soldiers in white uniforms. There’s even a moment where Callum brings two life-sized Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots to life, making them allies in the battle against their mysterious enemies.

The movie's reported $250 million budget is on full display, with lavish sets, intricate visual effects, and larger-than-life action sequences that are sure to thrill audiences. However, the film's budget has also sparked controversy, with reports of Dwayne Johnson’s on-set delays causing the budget to balloon by an extra $50 million. Whether or not these claims are true, the high stakes are evident, and the film will need to perform well at the box office to justify such a hefty investment.

A New Trend in Holiday Movies?

With its mix of action, comedy, and holiday magic, Red One seems poised to follow in the footsteps of recent holiday hits like Violent Night, continuing a trend of edgy, action-packed Christmas films. Instead of the usual heartwarming, family-friendly fare, these movies add a dose of adrenaline and humor to the holiday season, making them appealing to a wider audience beyond just kids and families.

The combination of Dwayne Johnson’s larger-than-life charisma and Chris Evans’ comedic chops promises plenty of laughs and thrilling moments. Red One could mark a new chapter in Christmas movies, blending the spirit of the season with blockbuster action in a way that feels fresh and exciting.

Can Red One Break the Box Office?

Despite the excitement surrounding the trailer, questions remain about whether Red One will be able to break through Dwayne Johnson’s recent cold streak at the box office. His last few films, while high-profile, haven’t met expectations. However, the unique premise of Red One, combined with the star power of both Johnson and Evans, could be enough to draw crowds during the holiday season.

The film’s storyline, which pits Christmas against Halloween in a battle for holiday supremacy, is intriguing enough to make it stand out from the typical holiday offerings. And with a potential franchise in the making, Red One might just become a holiday staple for years to come.

Final Thoughts

Red One looks like it’s shaping up to be a holiday movie like no other. With Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans leading the charge, the film promises to deliver a festive adventure full of heart, humor, and holiday-themed high-tech gadgets. The mix of Christmas cheer and Halloween horror adds a fun, unexpected twist to the typical holiday movie formula.

As the holiday season approaches, Red One is definitely a film to keep an eye on. Whether it becomes a box office smash or not, it’s bound to bring something fresh and exciting to the Christmas movie genre.

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