Johnny Depp brings a darker side to Ebenezer Scrooge in Ti West's haunting Christmas adaptation, supported by a talented ensemble cast.
Once again, it is that time of year. The time when people start decorating their houses and buying presents in anticipation of the "most joyous time." They anticipate holiday parties and family gatherings and fun movies that bring a smile to their faces. However, for some people, holiday time is the bane of their existence. They dislike all the smiling faces, the holiday "cheer," and the general idea of kindness to others. Nowhere is this more evident than in the Charles Dickens classic story of Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol, and though the story has been told time and again, a new film adaptation starring Johnny Depp (Pirates of the Caribbean franchise) is being released this month. Ebenezer hits theaters on November 13, 2026.
For anyone who is unfamiliar with the tale, here is a brief synopsis: Set in early Victorian London, it follows the miserly businessman Ebenezer Scrooge as he is forced through visions of the past, present, and future during a supernatural journey toward a chance at redemption.
Ebenezer Scrooge (Depp) is a bitter old man who lives alone, having never married, and who dislikes anyone and everyone, including his own family. He runs a successful business but is uncharitable even amongst his employees. Then one Christmas Eve, he is visited first by his old business partner, Jacob Marley (Ian McKellen; X-Men: Days of Future Past), and then by three ghosts. Once he sees what he has lost and what he eventually becomes, he chooses to repent and make amends in order to change his fate.
Why is Depp the right person to portray Ebenezer in this latest adaptation? First, he is a famous movie star, and if you want to get audiences to the theater to see yet another version of A Christmas Carol, you need to have a big name to draw them in. Second, he is terrific at portraying characters that are a little askew, as evidenced by perhaps his most famous role, Captain Jack Sparrow. Third, he needs a little redemption in audiences' eyes as his personal life has taken center stage in the past few years, and this role will certainly pave the way for Sparrow in future Pirates installments. Finally, he is a great actor who can easily embody a crotchety old man. As expected, he owns the role and gives us a unique yet familiar interpretation of Scrooge.
The other cast members are also excellent, including Sam Claflin (Me Before You), Rupert Grint (Harry Potter franchise), Daisy Ridley (Star Wars franchise), and, of course, McKellen. The actors portraying the three ghosts, Andrea Riseborough (Birdman [Or the Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance]), Tramell Tillman (Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning), and Robert Strange (The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power), are, fittingly, haunting, and audiences will remember them long after the credits roll. Overall, this film is very well cast, adding to the necessity of seeing it this holiday season.
Director Ti West (Pearl) is known mainly for horror films, so it will be no surprise when I tell you that Ebenezer is perhaps the darkest of all the adaptations I have seen thus far. This is not a family-friendly version, but it is an honest retelling of a ghost story with menacing characters. Its visuals are appropriate, and the overall look and tone of the movie are grey and gloomy.
The cast and production values make this latest edition of Dickens' classic story a worthy endeavor, but for me at least, the pacing is on the slow side, and I found myself glancing at the time more than once during the two-hour runtime. I am honestly torn because while I was slightly bored with the familiar material and I couldn't comprehend why we actually needed yet another version of A Christmas Carol, this production and cast are excellent and deserve any praise they receive.
Grade: B
