Is Johnny Depp's "Ebenezer" family-friendly? That isn't clear yet. No official rating appeared in the reports we reviewed, but the trailer and the director point to a dark, scary take on "A Christmas Carol." The film opens in theaters Nov. 13 from Paramount.
Variety says the trailer zooms in on the darker side of Dickens' story, with frightening ghosts and Scrooge buried alive. Director Ti West is best known for the horror trilogy "X." One report expects a gothic, psychological ghost story rather than a traditional heartwarming holiday film. Parents of young children may want to wait for the official rating and early reviews.
The film's tagline is "The name you know, the story you don't." It is described as a ghost story set in Dickens' London, following one man's supernatural journey to face his past, present, and future and fight for a second chance.
Johnny Depp plays Ebenezer Scrooge, with Ian McKellen as Jacob Marley, Rupert Grint as Bob Cratchit, and Sam Claflin as Fred. Andrea Riseborough plays the Ghost of Christmas Past and Tramell Tillman the Ghost of Christmas Present. Daisy Ridley also stars.
At its heart, Scrooge's story is about a hardened heart given a second chance, a theme of repentance and grace that has long fit Christmas. The road may be darker than the version many families grew up with.
Looking for something gentler? See other Christmas movie coverage:
- Tyler Perry's 'The Gospel Of Christmas'
- "Drummer Boy" Opens Nov. 6
- "God With Us" Retells the Nativity in Modern Maryland
