A Christmas Karen

An entitled "Karen" who intimidates and bullies all those around her discovers the meaning of Christmas via three ghosts who show her her past, present and future. I only expected to watch this for a few minutes but found it quite amusing and even touching at times. It's obviously the umpteenth version of Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" with the new cultural icon (Karen) at its center but it's a fun movie despite the well worn plot. Michele Simms is really quite enjoyable as the horrible Karen who might have some good reasons for being so horrible. Rolin Alexis, Leyla Lawrence and Lee Karlinsky are also quite entertaining with their modern takes on the Dickensian ghosts (I particularly liked the portrayal of the ghost of Christmas Yet to Come as a nervous gamer dude who still retains a menacing edge.). It lacks the professional sheen of a big Hollywood release and there are a few awkward moments where the screenplay doesn't quite work but it's been awhile since a movie surprised me and this one definitely did.

Wow where to even start with this one. I woke up the next morning and felt like I'd been through my own Xmas Carol rendition - did this movie really happen last night??? Yeah I was inebriated but still I'm not sure if this movie is real or not.

Some of it is straight up asylum style david decoteau levels of bad acting and sets. Some of it is actually funny jokes that work. Some of it is almost meta and making fun of itself.

It's a retelling of a Christmas Carol with the 3 ghosts and everything. One is a zombie looking homeless lady with a sign in the street, one is a fabulous gay man with amazing fashion sense, one is an Australian 50s housewife who may or may not be pregnant, and the last is a skater/EDM looking 20 year old kid.

Imagine if Ebeneezer Scrooge spent the entire opening act complaining about various drinks and sending them back - then apply that same drubk logic to the rest of the story - and you get the idea of this movie. Oh and don't forget the CHILDHOOD CANCER SUBPLOT.

You've honestly just gotta watch it cause the end is wild and makes no sense.

This is a long movie. It feels like it takes a long time to get through it for what it is, its premise and story and all.

But that being said, it's not horrible.

There are a couple of times that I actually chuckled.

Out loud and genuinely.

The lead actress is actually quite good in her role as the title character.

This feels a step above a direct to dvd type film. To me, it almost feels like one of those Hallmark Channel Christmas movies.

It has that look.

Maybe that was its goal?

Other actors who play the ghosts are decent as well.

You see, the storyline here follows the same pattern as A Christmas Carol with the Karen being a Scrooge-type character, which makes total sense.

It also makes this less of a one punchline joke of a film more suited for a TikTok video and more of a fully realized film which is good and effective.

But it also forces comparisons to far superior films and their takes on Dickens' classic.

I was looking for a new Xmas movie, something lighthearted and funny. Something to half watch whilst wrapping presents and enjoying a few too many JD's.

Well, I got through the JDs but not the present wrapping because I ended up watching the movie instead and loved it!

Never heard of any of the cast or the director but I sure recognised the story.

Yes it's a different take on scrooge and sure if you're an anti-woke angry kind of Karen or Ken then you best avoiding this.

But if you're not highly strung about modern life and are looking for a few good laughs and some pretty decent entertainment then give this a shot I am sure you will love it too.

If you don't like it, just call the assistant manager haha.

I had zero expectations going into this film, but a good friend liked it and I value her judgement.

I agree the 'Marley' of this film was just off the charts fun, and a great character to act no doubt. The films Crachit family is also well done, and is show don't tell. The script wasn't heavy on emotions or details like most versions of Dickens are, but that worked for it in my opinion. To have had the character or World too heavy with the sort of person who she's supposed to represent would have been to the films disadvantage. The film is a fun poke at the type of person associated with that name, not a message they tried to beat into our skulls.

A few laughs, plenty of wry smiles and nods, and don't take it seriously going in and you'll be fine.