Johnny Depp stars as Ebenezer Scrooge in the Gothic adaptation of Charles Dickens’ Christmas classic.
Ebenezer Review (2026): Johnny Depp’s Dark Christmas Carol
Johnny Depp is back, and at 63, he can still pull it off!
I attended an advance screening of Ebenezer, a darker, more haunting take on Charles Dickens’ classic A Christmas Carol. With elaborate special effects, frightening ghosts, and a heavy dose of Gothic atmosphere, this isn’t exactly the warm and fuzzy Christmas story some audiences might expect. Directed by Ti West, best known for his horror films, Ebenezer leans heavily into the darker side of Dickens’ classic, with frightening spirits and Gothic imagery that earned it a PG-13 rating.
Set in 19th-century London, the film takes us into a world of poverty, greed, and despair. Visually, it’s impressive. From the elaborate costumes and detailed homes to the cobblestone streets and gas lamps, the filmmakers have gone to great lengths to recreate Victorian London.
Synopsis: This November, prepare to be ghosted. Johnny Depp is the deliciously unpleasant Ebenezer Scrooge in a thrilling reimagining of the most iconic ghost story of all time. On one unforgettable Christmas Eve, Ebenezer collides with his past, present, and future on a supernatural journey that will decide his ultimate fate. If you think you know his story, think again. Directed by Ti West and with a screenplay by Nathaniel Halpern, Ebenezer also stars Rupert Grint, Andrea Riseborough, Sam Claflin, Daisy Ridley, Arthur Conti, Ellie Bamber, Henry Lloyd-Hughes, Charlie Murphy, with Tramell Tillman and Ian McKellen.
And then there are the ghosts! These aren’t the friendly spirits you might remember from other versions of A Christmas Carol. They’re realistic, sometimes frightening, and surrounded by plenty of supernatural effects. I wouldn’t recommend this version for very young children. Kids over 10 might be fine, depending on how comfortable they are with scary images.
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Johnny Depp makes a convincing Ebenezer Scrooge. Beneath the character’s bitterness and greed, Depp delivers a performance that feels surprisingly believable, especially considering everything supernatural happening around him. The supporting cast includes Rupert Grint, whom Harry Potter fans will barely recognize. It’s interesting to see him in such a different, grown-up role, and he does a good job. Daisy Ridley, on the other hand, feels underused. I wish she’d been given more to do.
At times, the dialogue between Scrooge and the spirits goes on a little too long, and some of the characters’ accents can be difficult to understand. But my biggest disappointment comes toward the end. The film spends so much time exploring its frightening ghosts and Gothic themes that when Scrooge finally realizes he needs to change, his redemption feels rushed.
For me, that’s the heart of Dickens’ story. After all the darkness, I wanted to spend more time watching Scrooge embrace kindness, generosity, and the joy of Christmas. A longer, warmer, more uplifting ending would have given the film a better emotional payoff.
Still, there’s plenty to admire here, particularly the production design and Depp’s performance. And here’s the irony: In a movie filled with ghosts and elaborate special effects, Johnny Depp is the most believable thing on screen. If Ebenezer is part of Depp’s attempt at a Hollywood comeback, he may be well on his way.
My verdict: A visually impressive, sometimes frightening adaptation of Dickens’ classic, anchored by a convincing Johnny Depp performance. I just wish the film had spent a little less time on the ghosts and a little more on the Christmas spirit.
Official title: Ebenezer
Release date: November 13, 2026 (U.S.)
Runtime: 1 hour, 56 minutes (116 minutes)
MPA rating: PG-13 for frightening material
Genre: Gothic fantasy, drama, supernatural thriller
Director: Ti West
Screenplay: Nathaniel Halpern
For more advance-screening reviews, check out my recent movie coverage, including I Play Rocky.
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