JEANNE: Yes, there are already multiple versions of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, but for the younger moviegoers who may not have seen any of them, director Ti West’s latest effort is an excellent adaptation. Recognized for his popular horror films, West has brought that same energy to EBENEZER.

By his own admission, West “was completely obsessed with the book as a kid”. It was always a goal to make his own interpretation, which is much darker --- and at times --- more frightening than the others. It was also his decision to cast Johnny Depp as Ebenezer Scrooge, which is a stroke of genius. Depp’s performance is riveting --- he makes a terrific Scrooge.

Dickens’ novella, first published in 1843, sold out its 6,000 copies in days. His titular character, Ebenezer Scrooge, has become synonymous with greed. Miserly Ebenezer and his equally mercenary partner, Jacob Marley (Ian McKellen), have taken advantage of their  underpaid clerk, Bob Cratchit (Rupert Grint), for years. After Marley’s death, Scrooge still refuses to change his ways, even at the behest of his nephew, Fred (Sam Claflin), who happens to love Christmas.

So it is, on Christmas Eve seven years after his passing that Ebenezer is visited by Marley’s ghost warning him that three different apparitions will appear to him that night: the Ghost of Christmas Past (Andrea Riseborough), the Ghost of Christmas Present (Tramell Tillman) and the Ghost of Christmas Future (Robert Strange). And it’s up to Ebenezer if he will, in fact, change his greedy ways --- or not.

With an adapted screenplay by Nathaniel Halpern, West has fashioned his version as his own. There are some notable changes from the others, but the moral of the story remains the same. Tis better to be kind, generous and loving than miserable, lonely and moneygrubbing.

OPINION: SEE IT NOW!

DAVID: Did the world really need yet another version of Charles Dickens’ classic tale A Christmas Carol? Actually, the answer is a resounding yes! If this 2026 effort starring Johnny Depp is a bust, critical reviewers could simply say “Bah! Humbug!” and be done with it.

But in the hands of veteran director Ti West and a screenplay by Nathaniel Halpern, EBENEZER is a welcome, if slightly different, take on the original. Everybody over the age of ten is familiar with the story, so I will forego a synopsis. However, this is a film which younger moviegoers, perhaps who have never seen Alistair Sim play Scrooge, for example, may find especially intriguing, assuming it’s not too scary for them.

Johnny Depp has put his personal stamp on every role he’s ever undertaken. Of course, the crotchety side of Ebenezer Scrooge is vital to the telling of Dickens’ novel, but Depp really shines during the transformation of his personality to a caring human being. The three ghosts (Christmas Past, Andrea Riseborough --- Christmas Present, Tramell Tillman --- and Christmas Future, Robert Strange) all play key roles in shaping Scrooge’s rebirth, as it were.

We do witness a young and handsome Scrooge (Arthur Conti) in a loving relationship with Belle (Ellie Bamber) until she can’t handle being second fiddle to his money-making desires. Belle was the only female Ebenezer ever was involved with, a fact that haunted him into his elderly years.

The rest of the cast is impressive, especially the venerable Ian McKellen as Jacob Marley, Scrooge’s longtime partner and a haunting spirit many years after his death. Rupert Grin portrays Bob Cratchit, Scrooge’s loyal and long-suffering employee. Freddie Lee-Grey has the honor of playing Tiny Tim, the Cratchits’ crippled son. Lee-Grey points out that Depp’s advice to him as a young actor was “Try and always have fun when you are performing.” The youngster delivers his favorite line --- “God bless us, everyone!” --- with pure joy. Sam Claflin rounds out the main cast as Scrooge’s nephew Fred and Daisy Ridley plays his wife Clara.

Of course, without Depp’s signature performance --- he was born to play this role --- EBENEZER might just be another forgotten version of the original. But Depp lifts the story to new heights, along with the glorious set designs, costuming and music that contribute to a well-made film.

OPINION: STRONG SEE IT NOW!