There’s a clever little “what if?” at the center of this umpteenth Christmas comedy of the season Dear Santa: what would happen if a child wrote a letter to Santa but accidentally put Satan’s name instead? It’s a spelling mistake, made by an awkward 11-year-old with dyslexia, that leads to a surprise holiday visit from the wrong man in red, with the inevitable chaos that follows.
But, as one has come to expect from other recent films based on clever, easy-to-sell plot lines, the question is much more interesting than the answer. Because the film, from former studio comedy co-bro Bobby Farrelly, fails to find the punchline for its joke, a great idea that results in a mediocre film.
It is a feeling of disenchantment that has clearly also been felt behind the scenes. Despite boasting a Farrelly brother and Jack Black as the lead, the film has been quietly released on Paramount+ with minimal to no promotion and no press screenings provided ahead of its pre-Thanksgiving release. Even if the movie had been a hit, a theatrical release would have been unlikely anyway (despite the rise of streaming Christmas movies, this month’s Red One marked the first major studio Christmas movie to receive a theatrical release since 2018) but it’s still telling that we knew more about Lacey Chabert’s romance with a snowman with abs than we did about a reunion of the Shallow Hal star and director.
Part of the problem here is a tonal confusion. The premise hints at a level of darkness that Farrelly and co-writer Ricky Blitt fail to intelligently regulate. We’re caught between a good-hearted kids’ movie full of life lessons about family and acceptance, and a dark-hearted adult comedy about a devil trying to steal a preteen’s soul. Not surprisingly, and less interestingly, the first option triumphs.
Black has increasingly found financial success by sticking to comedies aimed at younger audiences with his roles in the Jumanji series, the Super Mario Bros. movie, the endless Kung Fu Panda sequels, and next year’s Minecraft movie. Like Satan, one might expect something a little more daring given, you know, Satan, but this is more of the same, his brand of cartoonish madness turning the Prince of Darkness into a lovable mischief-maker. After the unexpected letter, she teams up with Liam (newcomer Robert Timothy Smith) and grants him three wishes, after which she takes his soul. The script takes them from trying to impress a girl at school to an indulgently long sequence at a Post Malone concert, complete with an unimpressive cameo.
There’s no clear idea of how best to actually utilize Satan’s character, even with him being in almost every scene, and his diabolical tricks involve, sigh, more Post Malone or, sigh, giving someone diarrhea. There’s just nothing all that inventive despite the broad, unruled canvas.
A little more interesting is what happens to Liam’s parents, who become increasingly disturbed by their son’s new obsession with the devil, something they see as a dangerous delusion that leads them to seek help from a therapist, played by Keegan Michael-Key. But their fractured relationship soon forces the film into familiar holiday territory, as Liam ultimately desires Satan’s help to avoid a divorce. It leads to an awkward step toward the utter seriousness of grieving a deceased brother, a level of emotional investment that’s hard to swallow in a film that’s more interested in diarrhea jokes.
For something closer to a paycheck than a passion project, Black’s energy is admirably high, if a little exhausting. Its theatrical antics would probably appeal more to a younger audience, even if its pop culture references might not (One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, kids?). A final twist, and a thankless final cameo, provide the film with an easy way out of its soul-snatching setup, while a poorly explained final scene tries so hard on candy cane saccharine that it leaves our teeth a little loose. . Dear Santa is like watching Bad Santa slowly turn into an Elf, an unsatisfying attempt at being naughty and nice, ending up being nothing instead.
**Given the film’s premise of Satan reluctantly answering children’s letters to Santa, what are some of the ethical dilemmas the film presents, and how does it address (or fail to address) them?**
## Dear Santa: An Interview
**Welcome to World Today News! We’re delighted to have film critic [Guest 1 Name] and comedian [Guest 2 Name] join us today to discuss the new holiday comedy, “Dear Santa.”**
**I. Premise and Expectations: A Devilish Mishap**
* **[Guest 1]:** The article mentions the clever “what if” premise of the film. What were your initial expectations going in, and how did the film ultimately live up to them?
* **[Guest 2]:** This film seems to straddle the line between a family-friendly Christmas movie and a darker comedy. Do you think the film successfully balances these two tones, or does it feel uneven?
**II. Performance and Potential: Jack Black’s Return to Form?**
* **[Guest 1]:** Jack Black has a reputation for comedic brilliance. How does his performance as Satan fare in this film, particularly given the tone inconsistencies mentioned?
* **[Guest 2]:** Do you think Jack Black’s comedic brand, often characterized by manic energy and childlike humor, was a good fit for this particular role? Could another actor have brought something different to the character of Satan?
**III. Creative Choices: Where Did “Dear Santa” Go Wrong?**
* **[Guest 1]:** The article criticizes the lack of originality and inventive humor in the film. What were your thoughts on the film’s jokes and gags? Were there any moments that truly landed?
* **[Guest 2]**: The film seems to touch on potentially serious themes like family conflict and loss, but doesn’t explore them in any depth. Do you think this was a missed opportunity?
**IV. Streaming vs. Theatrical: A Changing Landscape for Holiday Films**
* **[Guest 1]:** The article notes the lack of theatrical promotion for “Dear Santa.” Do you think the film warrants a bigger release, or is streaming a more suitable platform for this type of movie?
* **[Guest 2]:** How do you see the shift towards streaming affecting the quality and creative choices of holiday films? Do we risk sacrificing originality for formulaic, easily-digestible content?
**V. Final Thoughts: A Lump of Coal or a Hidden Gem?**
* **[Guest 1]:** what are your final thoughts on “Dear Santa”? Would you recommend it to viewers, and if so, who might enjoy it most?
* **[Guest 2]:** The film seems to have fallen short of its potential. What could have been done differently to make “Dear Santa” a more memorable and engaging holiday experience?
We’d like to thank our guests for their insightful commentary on “Dear Santa.” Let us know your thoughts on the film in the comments below!
