The Christmas Chronicles reviews round-up: ‘Bonkers’ Netflix film starring Kurt Russell is dividing critics

The festive feature has officially been unveiled on the streaming service

Netflix has been hard at work adding a slew of festive treats to its slate over the past month, peaking with the release of a brand new film starring Kurt Russell as Santa Clause.

The Christmas Chronicles has officially been unveiled on the streaming service – and it’s splitting audiences right down the middle.

Russell stars as the bearded present-giver in a tale following siblings whose plan to catch Santa on camera turns into the journey of their lives.

Directed by Clay Kaytis (Angry Birds), the film is being simultaneously branded "dull","bonkers" and "earnest".

You can find a roundup of reviews below.

The Independent – Christopher Hooton

Russell makes for a very fine Santa Claus, but he can’t elevate a fairly dull script and a plot so familiar that even the youngest viewers will see all the twists coming. The Home Alones and Die Hards of this world manage to not be “just for Christmas”, but it’s hard to see this one making it past New Year’s Day.

The Guardian – Stephen Snart

Santa is played by Russell who instantly brings a level of energy and professionalism sorely lacking from the film. His comic timing, twinkly eyes and impressively styled beard are almost enough to inspire hope that the movie will turn around. But just as quickly as Santa arrives, we’re treated to the worst green-screen filming in recent memory and all hope is lost.

The Telegraph – Robbie Collin

In 2018, [Russell] proves bizarrely ideal for [the role], and throws himself wholeheartedly behind such flimsy comic gambits as Santa’s loathing of his famous ho-ho-ho catchphrase (“I don’t actually say that”) and dismay at his tubby public image (“billboards add 80 pounds”) with enough commitment to sell them, just about.

Empire – Dan Jolin

It’s as predictable as an Advent calendar, but thanks to Kurt Russell’s grizzly charms, The Christmas Chronicles at least gives us one of the movies’ best Santas yet.

Vox – Todd VanDerWerff

The only thing you need to know about The Christmas Chronicles is that it is wild. So much random stuff happens in this one movie, even though it’s only 98 minutes long (sans closing credits). One scene, for example, involves computer-generated elves who speak a vaguely Scandinavian dialect dubbed “elvish” attempting to help Santa break out of jail while he performs Elvis’s “Santa Claus Is Back in Town” with the non-Bruce Springsteen members of The E-Street Band.

Variety – Courtney Howard

Director Clay Kaytis’ The Christmas Chronicles isn’t going to make audiences believe in the power of Christmas, let alone stoke the spirit of the holiday season, but boy does it exhaust itself trying.

Little White Lies – Elena Lazic

The film sticks the landing with an earnest and heartfelt conclusion about real growing pains, an ending that might have felt a little phoned in had it not come after ninety minutes of pure delirium.

The Christmas Chronicles is available to stream on Netflix now