Red One
After Santa Claus is kidnapped, the North Pole's Head of Security must team up with a notorious hacker in a globe-trotting, action-packed mission to save Christmas.
The film underperformed commercially against its enormous budget of $250.0M, earning $185.7M globally (-26% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its innovative storytelling within the action genre.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Callum Drift
Jack O'Malley
Santa Claus
Gryla
Zoe Harlow
Krampus
Dylan
Main Cast & Characters
Callum Drift
Played by Dwayne Johnson
Commander of E.L.F. (Enforcement Logistics and Fortification), Santa's head of security who becomes disillusioned after centuries of service.
Jack O'Malley
Played by Chris Evans
A cynical Level 4 tracker and conman who reluctantly helps rescue Santa after inadvertently enabling his kidnapping.
Santa Claus
Played by J.K. Simmons
The mythological figure who has been kidnapped, forcing his security team to mount a rescue mission before Christmas.
Gryla
Played by Kiernan Shipka
Ancient winter witch and antagonist who kidnaps Santa as part of her plan to punish those on the naughty list.
Zoe Harlow
Played by Lucy Liu
Director of M.O.R.A. (Mythological Oversight and Restoration Authority) who coordinates the rescue operation.
Krampus
Played by Kristofer Hivju
Santa's estranged brother and Germanic mythological figure who provides crucial assistance despite their complicated history.
Dylan
Played by Wesley Kimmel
Jack O'Malley's young son who still believes in Christmas despite his father's cynicism.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes The magical North Pole operation revealed in full glory: Santa's workshop bustling with activity, the E.L.F. Security apparatus functioning flawlessly under Callum Drift's command, and Christmas preparations in full swing—a world where holiday magic is real and thriving.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 15 minutes when Santa Claus is kidnapped from the North Pole in a shocking breach of security. The unthinkable has happened—Christmas is in jeopardy and Callum has failed in his primary duty to protect Santa.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 31 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Jack O'Malley agrees to partner with Callum and commits to the mission. The unlikely duo officially teams up, leaving behind both the North Pole's jurisdiction and Jack's solitary bounty hunting life to pursue Santa's captors together., moving from reaction to action.
At 61 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat The true villain is revealed: Gryla, the ancient Christmas witch, has kidnapped Santa as part of a plan to end Christmas forever. The stakes escalate dramatically—this isn't just a kidnapping but an existential threat to the holiday itself. The fun and games are over., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 92 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Gryla captures the heroes and gains complete control. All appears lost—Santa remains imprisoned, the team is defeated, and Christmas seems certain to be destroyed. The "whiff of death" manifests as the potential end of Christmas magic forever., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 99 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Jack makes a choice to believe—not just in Christmas, but in himself and his partnership with Callum. This moment of genuine faith unlocks new possibilities and unites the theme with the plot. Armed with renewed conviction, the heroes rally for a final assault., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Red One's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping Red One against these established plot points, we can identify how Jake Kasdan utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Red One within the action genre.
Jake Kasdan's Structural Approach
Among the 7 Jake Kasdan films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Red One exemplifies the director's characteristic narrative technique. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Jake Kasdan filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Bad Guys, Puss in Boots and Venom: The Last Dance. For more Jake Kasdan analyses, see Bad Teacher, Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story and Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
The magical North Pole operation revealed in full glory: Santa's workshop bustling with activity, the E.L.F. security apparatus functioning flawlessly under Callum Drift's command, and Christmas preparations in full swing—a world where holiday magic is real and thriving.
Theme
Santa expresses concern about declining belief in Christmas magic worldwide, noting that fewer children truly believe each year. The thematic question is posed: can the spirit of Christmas survive in a cynical modern world?
Worldbuilding
The sophisticated North Pole operation is established: Callum Drift commands elite E.L.F. security forces, Santa (J.K. Simmons) prepares for Christmas Eve, and the magical infrastructure that powers the holiday is revealed. Meanwhile, Jack O'Malley is introduced as a cynical bounty hunter with an uncanny tracking ability.
Disruption
Santa Claus is kidnapped from the North Pole in a shocking breach of security. The unthinkable has happened—Christmas is in jeopardy and Callum has failed in his primary duty to protect Santa.
Resistance
Callum must venture into the human world to find help. He locates Jack O'Malley, a skilled but cynical bounty hunter who ended up on the Naughty List. Despite Jack's skepticism about the North Pole and Christmas magic, Callum convinces him to help track Santa, offering him a chance at redemption.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Jack O'Malley agrees to partner with Callum and commits to the mission. The unlikely duo officially teams up, leaving behind both the North Pole's jurisdiction and Jack's solitary bounty hunting life to pursue Santa's captors together.
Mirror World
Jack reveals his backstory—a painful childhood memory that caused him to lose faith in Christmas. This vulnerability creates an unexpected bond with Callum and introduces the thematic subplot: Jack's journey to rediscover belief. Their relationship becomes the heart of the film.
Premise
The buddy-adventure delivers on its promise: Callum and Jack chase leads across multiple locations, encountering various Christmas mythological figures and magical obstacles. Their contrasting personalities—Callum's earnest Christmas spirit versus Jack's cynical wit—create comedic friction while they slowly develop mutual respect.
Midpoint
The true villain is revealed: Gryla, the ancient Christmas witch, has kidnapped Santa as part of a plan to end Christmas forever. The stakes escalate dramatically—this isn't just a kidnapping but an existential threat to the holiday itself. The fun and games are over.
Opposition
Gryla's forces pursue the heroes relentlessly. Internal conflict emerges as Jack's cynicism clashes with the mission's demands for belief. Callum's guilt over failing to protect Santa weighs on him. Each step forward is met with setbacks as Gryla anticipates their moves and Christmas Eve draws closer.
Collapse
Gryla captures the heroes and gains complete control. All appears lost—Santa remains imprisoned, the team is defeated, and Christmas seems certain to be destroyed. The "whiff of death" manifests as the potential end of Christmas magic forever.
Crisis
In their darkest moment, separated and defeated, both heroes face their internal demons. Callum confronts his failure and guilt. Jack must decide if he can truly believe in something greater than himself—if Christmas magic is worth fighting for.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Jack makes a choice to believe—not just in Christmas, but in himself and his partnership with Callum. This moment of genuine faith unlocks new possibilities and unites the theme with the plot. Armed with renewed conviction, the heroes rally for a final assault.
Synthesis
The climactic confrontation with Gryla unfolds. Jack's tracker skills combine with Callum's combat prowess and Christmas magic in ways neither could achieve alone. Santa is rescued, Gryla is defeated, and Christmas is saved through the power of belief and partnership.
Transformation
Jack, once a cynical loner on the Naughty List, stands as a true believer and hero of Christmas. Callum has found renewed purpose beyond just security—protecting the spirit of the season. The final image shows them as partners and friends, with Jack's name moved to the Nice List.