Common Sense Media Review
By Kat Halstead
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Scary moments in gothic take on Dickens classic.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 12+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Ebenezer
What's the Story?
In EBENEZER, Scrooge (Johnny Depp) is a greedy, cold-hearted man, who runs a counting house with the help of his one hard-working employee Bob (Rupert Grint). Even the holidays don't make Scrooge any kinder toward others, or more lenient at work. He grumbles about people asking for charity and Bob requesting a day off to spend with his family, declaring Christmas a "humbug." But when Scrooge is visited by three spirits—The Ghosts of Christmas Past (Andrea Riseborough), Present (Tramell Tillman), and Future (Robert Strange)—he sees just how selfish and miserable his life has become. But is it too late for redemption?
Is It Any Good?
This traditional retelling of the classic story hits most of the notes, but never quite sets itself apart from the huge back catalog of previous adaptations. Ebenezer looks fantastic, with its misty gothic streets and shadowy corners, and leaning into horror a little more heavily in the ghost scenes works well. Depp manages to dial back his usual schtick, so that in places viewers may forget it's even him in the lead role. But there's still a kookiness to his Scrooge—it serves to keep the energy up, but misses a few of the emotional beats along the way. Grint and Sam Claflin are great as Bob and Fred respectively, Ian McKellen makes for a more sympathetic Marley than usual, and Ellie Bamber's Belle is appealing as a smart, centered woman unwilling to play second fiddle. It all works well, and it's a great watch for families during the festive season, but there's little that feels new or different here. The story of A Christmas Carol has a timeless appeal, and by going by the book, as it were, the movie tells it in a solid, entertaining way. But it does beg the question, what was really added here in telling it again?
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the theme of redemption in Ebenezer. What did Scrooge learn from the spirits? How did it change him? Do you believe that everybody deserves a shot at redemption? Why, or why not?
How were compassion, gratitude, and humility important to the story? Which characters showed them and why are they important character traits?
Did you find the movie scary? Was it too scary for a film like this? What did the scares add to the story?
What did you think of this adaptation? Have you read the original book or seen other on-screen versions? How do they compare? If you're new to the story, did the movie make you want to read the book or watch other adaptations?
Movie Details
- In theaters : November 13, 2026
- Cast : Johnny Depp , Ian McKellen , Rupert Grint , Sam Claflin
- Director : Ti West
- Studio : Paramount Pictures
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Book Characters , Fantasy ( Ghosts ) , Holidays ( Christmas )
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Gratitude , Humility
- Run time : 116 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : frightening material
- Last updated : November 13, 2026
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