Common Sense Media Review
By Jose Solis
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Holiday comedy has some scary moments, mild language.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
A Christmas Karen
What's the Story?
It's the holiday season and Karen (Michele Simms) is up to her usual practice of alienating her family and neighbors through her prejudiced actions and remarks. She terrorizes neighborhood kids by threatening to shut down their lemonade stand, makes bigoted comments at the Latino-owned shop where she gets her groceries, and disowns her brother for being gay. On Christmas Eve she is visited by three friendly spirits who show her the meaning of Christmas and the importance of treating everyone with kindness and respect.
Is It Any Good?
Charles Dickens' beloved A Christmas Carol has been adapted into versions starring Muppets, animated characters; it's even had homages in Star Trek. There is a Carol for everyone, and with A Christmas Karen, there is one for people who have been affected by entitled, prejudiced White women, or Karens. The oft-hilarious if wildly predictable comedy, which seems to have been inspired by online memes and videos of White prejudiced women going after anyone they encounter, is anchored by a very funny Michele Simms, who as the title Karen gives into the ugliness of her character with gusto.
Beyond the film hitting all the right spots, there is also a deeply humanistic take in how it explores how hurt people often hurt people. Younger viewers might learn about the importance of tolerance and empathy, as they witness Karen's transformation from a truly hateful human being into someone who understands that ideally the love and kindness of the holiday spirit should remain with us all year long.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the ghosts show Karen the importance of tolerance, kindness, and empathy. How did they show her to become a better person?
What advice would you give Karen? Why should she be kinder to her neighbors and family?
Have you read or watched an adaptation of Dickens' A Christmas Carol? How did this compare?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : January 1, 2022
- Cast : Michele Simms , Meghan Colleen Moroney , Rolin Alexis
- Directors : Lisa Enos Smith , Jon Binkowski
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s) , African American Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : FilmRise
- Genre : Comedy
- Character Strengths : Empathy
- Run time : 98 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : March 16, 2025
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