‘Dear Santa’ (2024)

‘Dear Santa’ follows young Liam (Robert Timothy Smith) as the boy prepares for the festive season and mails a letter to Santa. Having difficulties spelling, Liam addresses the letter to Satan, wherein the message is transported to hell and picked up by Satan (Jack Black). Surprised to have received the communique, Satan goes to Liam only to realize the boy still thinks he is in talks with Santa Claus. Wanting to trick the boy into giving him his soul, Satan offers Liam three wishes, to which he agrees.

Forming part of the Christmas movie season, ‘Dear Santa’ takes a simple premise and tries to spin a whole feature out of it. As advertised, the film kicks off with the humorous misunderstanding and leads to the interactions between Liam and Satan. Working for the most part due to the chemistry between Black and Smith, ‘Dear Santa’ presents Liam as a kindhearted and gentle middle schooler and Satan as, well, Satan.

Smith takes the lead and embarks on the magical adventure full of hope and determination. Believing his time with ‘Santa’ to be a mystical opportunity to right some wrongs, Smith embodies the naïve optimism that all children posses and maintains a sincere tone throughout.

Conversely, the mischievous highlight of the feature rests solely on the shoulders of Black. Thoroughly enjoying himself, the actor has all the fun possible as he plays the dark lord and delivers, as always, a maximum effort performance as he connives his way through the story in an attempt to secure the young boys soul for himself.

Not breaking any conventions and delivering the standard fare in terms of the moral at the core of the story, the film functions as its Christmas film compatriots and reinforces a strong message of kindness, selflessness and compassion. A little contrived – for sure, but the film manages to maintain a fun and joyful atmosphere throughout, delivering a muted and honest tone when covering more painful and darker themes such as death, loss and personal failures.

Delivering somewhat of a twist, Black’s ‘Satan’ turns out to be a low level daemon in service of Lucifer. Continuing a tradition of Ben Stiller and Jack Black appearing in each others projects, Stiller takes on the uncredited role of Lucifer and delivers a hilarious exchange with Black as the latter is being admonished for not carrying out his duties correctly.

An absolute win for Jack Black fans, the film seemingly offers the actor free license at times, much to its success and allows for the performer to exhibit his eccentricities and unique presence, providing for much hilarity and amusement throughout.

Ordinary in terms of its message and delivery however, ‘Dear Santa’ is predictable yet enjoyable as it focuses on the dynamic between Smith and Black, providing for awkward and funny exchanges whilst sticking to the status quo in terms of story. Inoffensive and mediocre in the best way possible, ‘Dear Santa’ isn’t anything to write home about, but that doesn’t meant it can't occasionally be enjoyed.

Score: 2/4