What The Rock’s big box office bomb tells us about our needs and desires at Christmas

Red One is the latest Hollywood attempt at a spectacular festive action film. It is on course to lose $100m. Why don’t they realise we want slippers, jim-jams and Lindsay Lohan?

It’s the most wonderful time of the year – a time for carolling 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) division – Santa’s security team.

Topics

What Assad’s fall tells us about Ukraine

The United States' withdrawal from Afghanistan and lack of support for Ukraine has led to a loss of American influence and increased aggression from Russia, while the bipartisan support for ...
The Hill - 12h
This economist says the US needs price controls to tackle inflation: ‘We need to dare to think outside the box’

Isabella Weber says economists must design policies that people feel make their lives better – or the US could slide toward fascism. As Donald Trump has pointed out, the price of groceries was ...
The Guardian - 14h
What you need to know about neurodivergent burnout

Neurodivergent employees can face unique challenges at work that contribute to higher burnout rates.
Yahoo Sports - 2d
What Knaus Tabbert AG's (ETR:KTA) ROE Can Tell Us

Many investors are still learning about the various metrics that can be useful when analysing a stock. This article is...
Yahoo Sports - Dec. 7
Big penguin adorns village phone box for Christmas

It has become an annual tradition to decorate an old phone box in the Fenland village.
Yahoo Sports - Dec. 7
What the stats tell us about Navarrete vs. Valdez 2

Emanuel Navarrete is a slight favorite to defeat Oscar Valdez in their rematch on Saturday. Here's a look at the fight through the numbers.
ESPN - Dec. 6
Mike Johnson and Elon Musk tell US federal staff to get back to the office

Republican House Speaker backs billionaire entrepreneur’s government efficiency drive
Financial Times - Dec. 5
What scrapping of Dutch Grand Prix tells us about Max Verstappen’s future

Formula One has confirmed that the Dutch Grand Prix will drop off the calendar after the 2026 race.
Yahoo Sports - Dec. 4
Cramer calls Disney stock a 'great bargain' as CEO Bob Iger scores another big box office win

Disney broke some more box office records with 'Moana 2' over the long Thanksgiving weekend.
CNBC - Dec. 2