Rating: 3.5/5 Holiday Havoc

The 2024 original Red One was a surprise holiday hit—a fun, action-packed Christmas adventure that paired Dwayne Johnson with Chris Evans. Red One 2: Naughty List brings the team back for more seasonal shenanigans, and while the magic is slightly diminished, it’s still a jolly good time.

The film finds Callum Drift (Johnson) retired from his role as Santa’s head of security, running a small toy shop and enjoying a quiet life. But when a new threat emerges—a rogue elf (a hilarious performance) who has hacked the Naughty List and is kidnapping “bad” children for re-education—Callum must reunite with Jack O’Malley (Evans) to save Christmas.

Johnson brings his usual charm, Evans is delightfully cynical, and the chemistry between them still works. The action is creative, with sleigh chases through snowy cities and fights in a weaponized toy factory. However, the plot feels recycled from the first film, and the new villain, while funny, lacks the menace of the original’s antagonist.

The Verdict: A fun, family-friendly holiday sequel that delivers exactly what you expect. It’s no Elf, but it’s a solid addition to the Christmas movie rotation.

Final Thought: Nice list. Naughty list. Same list. Different wrapping.