The first reviews for Red One are here, and it’s not a good sign for Dwayne Johnson

Dwayne Johnson will effort to rescue Santa Claus successful his caller movie, Red One. Judging by nan first reaction, Johnson astir apt can’t prevention nan film’s captious reception.

Red One’s review embargo has lifted, and nan reception is thing but positive. Red One opened to 35% connected Rotten Tomatoes and 37 connected Metacritic. Amazon MGM Studios lifting nan reappraisal embargo connected predetermination nighttime speaks volumes. Either nan workplace wanted to supply a distraction from predetermination coverage, aliases they knew nan first reception would beryllium negative. The second is nan apt answer.

Red One, a Christmas action comedy, was primitively scheduled for a December 2023 merchandise connected Prime Video. However, nan workplace delayed nan movie to November 2024 and switched its rollout to a theatrical release.

In April, The Wrap published an eye-opening study about Red One’s behind-the-scenes troubles. Johnson was reportedly late, an mean of “seven to 8 hours per day,” and missed aggregate days of production. Additionally, Red One underwent important reshoots. Add it up, and nan fund was raised by astatine slightest $50 million, bringing Red One’s total costs to $250 million.

With a monolithic budget, Red One must beryllium a container agency deed for nan workplace to churn a profit. However, first search pegs nan movie for a domestic opening play of $36 million, which would beryllium a rocky start.

Directed by Jumanji: Welcome to nan Jungle’s Jake Kasdan, Red One stars Johnson arsenic Callum Drift, commandant of nan E.L.F. Drift’s ngo is to protect Santa Claus (J. K. Simmons) — codification name: RED ONE. After Santa’s abduction, Callum recruits bounty huntsman Jack O’Malley (Chris Evans) to thief find Saint Nick and prevention Christmas. Lucy Liu besides stars.

Red One opens successful theaters connected November 15, 2024.