Retro Review: Scrooge: A Christmas Carol (2022) 👻❄️
Bah Humbug! Another Christmas Carol Adaptation? Well, At Least This One Has Some Charm!
Ah, A Christmas Carol. Charles Dickens’s beloved 1843 novella about a miserable, money-obsessed old man who gets the supernatural equivalent of a Christmas intervention.
It’s one of the most adapted stories in literary history. Seriously, at this point, Ebenezer Scrooge has probably been visited by more ghosts than the entire cast of The Conjuring franchise.
We’ve had live-action adaptations, animated adaptations, musical adaptations, comedic adaptations, and even the Muppets getting involved. And somehow, despite how many times this story has been told, filmmakers continue finding reasons to revisit it.
Which brings us to Netflix’s 2022 animated musical, Scrooge: A Christmas Carol.
Directed by Stephen Donnelly, this British animated feature takes inspiration from both Dickens’s original novella and the 1970 musical film Scrooge, starring Albert Finney. It features songs originally written by Leslie Bricusse, alongside new musical arrangements and a colorful, modern animation style.
And honestly, while this isn’t exactly the definitive adaptation of Dickens’s classic, there’s enough charm here to make it a reasonably enjoyable addition to the ever-growing collection of Christmas Carol adaptations.
Does it reinvent the wheel? Absolutely not.
But does every adaptation need to?
Well, that’s what we’re here to discuss.
Let’s Start by Showing Y’all the Trailers, Shall We?
Official Trailer — Scrooge: A Christmas Carol (2022)
Netflix’s trailer introduces us to a colorful, musical interpretation of Dickens’s familiar story, featuring exaggerated character designs, elaborate supernatural sequences, and a voice cast led by Luke Evans.
It’s immediately apparent that this adaptation is aiming for a family-friendly experience, with a considerable emphasis on musical numbers and visual spectacle.
And while the animation certainly gives the movie its own identity, there’s also something amusing about how dramatically different this looks compared to some of the more traditional adaptations.
Apparently, even Ebenezer Scrooge can’t escape the modern animated musical treatment.
Non-Spoiler Plot Overview
Set in Victorian London on Christmas Eve, the story follows Ebenezer Scrooge, a wealthy, bitter, and notoriously unpleasant businessman who has developed a particularly strong hatred for Christmas.
Scrooge has little patience for celebrations, generosity, or practically anything that doesn’t involve making money.
His employee, Bob Cratchit, struggles to provide for his family while enduring Scrooge’s miserable attitude, and his cheerful nephew Harry continues attempting to reconnect with an uncle who wants absolutely nothing to do with Christmas festivities.
However, Scrooge’s evening takes a supernatural turn when he’s visited by the ghost of his deceased business partner, Jacob Marley.
Marley warns Scrooge that his selfishness and greed have placed him on a dangerous path, one that could condemn him to the same miserable afterlife Marley now suffers.
To avoid this fate, Scrooge must endure visits from three spirits representing Christmas Past, Christmas Present, and Christmas Yet to Come.
Each spirit forces him to confront uncomfortable truths about his life, his relationships, and the consequences of his actions.
And through these encounters, Scrooge must decide whether he’s willing to change before it’s too late.
If that sounds familiar, congratulations! You’ve probably encountered this story at least seventeen times already.
Character Rundown
Ebenezer Scrooge — Luke Evans
Luke Evans voices the film’s central character, and his casting makes considerable sense given his experience with musical performances.
This interpretation of Scrooge is bitter, sarcastic, emotionally withdrawn, and thoroughly convinced that Christmas is a complete waste of time.
Evans brings a strong theatrical quality to the role, particularly during the musical sequences.
One interesting aspect of this adaptation is its willingness to emphasize Scrooge’s emotional history, giving greater attention to the relationships and disappointments that shaped his worldview.
However, the character’s development occasionally feels constrained by the film’s relatively short runtime and its determination to squeeze in several elaborate musical sequences.
Jacob Marley — Jonathan Pryce
Jonathan Pryce voices Jacob Marley, Scrooge’s deceased business partner and the supernatural messenger responsible for initiating his journey.
Marley’s appearance provides one of the story’s more traditionally Gothic elements.
And frankly, the concept remains wonderfully disturbing.
Imagine sitting comfortably at home when your dead business partner suddenly appears to explain that he’s been condemned to eternal suffering because of how he behaved while alive.
Merry Christmas, everybody!
Pryce’s commanding voice lends the character an appropriate sense of gravity, even within the film’s more exaggerated animated presentation.
The Ghost of Christmas Past — Olivia Colman
Olivia Colman voices the Ghost of Christmas Past, who guides Scrooge through significant moments from his earlier life.
This version of the spirit has a particularly playful and theatrical personality.
Colman brings energy and personality to the character, helping distinguish this interpretation from more solemn portrayals.
The sequences involving Christmas Past are also important because they explore Scrooge’s emotional vulnerabilities rather than simply presenting him as an unpleasant old man.
The Ghost of Christmas Present — Trevor Dion Nicholas
Trevor Dion Nicholas voices the Ghost of Christmas Present, an exuberant spirit who introduces Scrooge to the lives and celebrations taking place around him.
The character is appropriately larger than life, with an energetic personality that complements the film’s musical approach.
Christmas Present also provides an important contrast to Scrooge’s worldview, demonstrating that happiness and generosity aren’t necessarily connected to financial wealth.
Bob Cratchit — Johnny Flynn
Johnny Flynn voices Bob Cratchit, Scrooge’s underpaid employee and one of the story’s central representations of working-class hardship.
Bob remains a sympathetic figure whose devotion to his family contrasts sharply with Scrooge’s obsession with money.
However, like several supporting characters, he doesn’t receive quite as much individual development as he could have.
Isabel — Jessie Buckley
Jessie Buckley voices Isabel, Scrooge’s former love interest.
Her relationship with Scrooge plays an important role in exploring how his increasing devotion to wealth gradually pushed away the people who genuinely cared about him.
Isabel represents a life Scrooge might have enjoyed had he made different choices.
And that remains one of the more emotionally effective aspects of Dickens’s original story.
Pacing / Episode Flow
At approximately 96 minutes, Scrooge: A Christmas Carol is a relatively brisk adaptation.
And for the most part, the film maintains a steady pace.
The opening establishes Scrooge’s personality and introduces the supporting cast before transitioning into the supernatural encounters.
However, the musical structure occasionally creates problems.
While the songs contribute to the film’s identity, some sequences interrupt the narrative momentum rather than naturally advancing the story.
The Christmas Past material receives considerable emotional attention, while certain later developments feel comparatively rushed.
This is particularly noticeable when the story approaches Scrooge’s eventual transformation.
One of the most important elements of A Christmas Carol is making that transformation feel earned.
After all, we’re talking about a man who has spent years prioritizing money over human relationships.
That isn’t something you want to resolve as though someone simply flipped a switch.
The movie generally communicates the intended emotional journey, but additional breathing room could have made the character development more satisfying.
Pros
The Animation Is Colorful and Expressive
One of the movie’s most immediately noticeable strengths is its animation.
The character designs are exaggerated, the environments are richly colored, and the supernatural sequences allow for some creative visual imagery.
Victorian London is presented through a stylized combination of gloomy architecture, glowing lights, and festive decorations.
The spirits also benefit from the animated format, allowing their appearances and abilities to become considerably more fantastical.
While the visual style won’t appeal to everyone, it certainly gives the film a recognizable personality.
A Talented Voice Cast
Luke Evans, Olivia Colman, Jonathan Pryce, and Trevor Dion Nicholas provide a solid foundation for the movie.
Their performances help bring energy to characters audiences have encountered countless times before.
Evans is particularly well suited to the musical material, while Colman brings a welcome sense of mischief to Christmas Past.
Some Enjoyable Musical Numbers
The movie’s connection to the 1970 musical Scrooge is one of its more interesting creative decisions.
Rather than constructing an entirely new musical identity, the filmmakers revisit Leslie Bricusse’s compositions, including songs such as “I Hate People” and “Thank You Very Much.”
The arrangements are lively, and the musical sequences frequently take advantage of the animation’s visual possibilities.
Not every song is equally memorable, but the music contributes substantially to the film’s festive atmosphere.
The Central Message Still Works
Despite its changes and stylistic embellishments, the movie retains the central message of Dickens’s story.
Compassion matters more than wealth.
Our decisions affect other people.
And personal change remains possible, even after years of selfish behavior.
It’s a timeless message, and one that continues to resonate regardless of how many adaptations we’ve received.
Cons
It Doesn’t Offer Much That’s Genuinely New
Here’s the biggest issue.
We’ve seen this story before.
A LOT.
And while this adaptation introduces new visual interpretations and musical arrangements, the underlying narrative remains extremely familiar.
There’s nothing inherently wrong with remaining faithful to a classic story, but when audiences already have so many excellent adaptations available, a new version needs something particularly compelling to distinguish itself.
The animation and music provide some differentiation, but they aren’t necessarily enough to make this a must-watch interpretation.
The Musical Numbers Can Interrupt the Story
Musicals require a delicate balance between storytelling and performance.
And unfortunately, some of the songs feel more like interruptions than essential components of the narrative.
The result is a movie that occasionally sacrifices emotional momentum for spectacle.
That’s not a fatal problem, but it does affect the pacing.
Scrooge’s Transformation Could Have Been More Powerful
The emotional payoff of A Christmas Carol depends heavily on the audience understanding Scrooge’s regrets and believing in his eventual change.
This adaptation provides the necessary narrative ingredients, but some of the emotional developments don’t receive enough time to fully resonate.
The ending is pleasant and appropriately uplifting, but it doesn’t necessarily deliver the same emotional impact as the strongest adaptations.
The Supporting Characters Feel Underdeveloped
While the central spirits receive memorable presentations, several human characters function primarily as familiar components of the story.
Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim, and Scrooge’s extended family are important to the narrative, but their relationships could have benefited from additional attention.
And considering how much emotional weight Dickens places on these characters, that’s a missed opportunity.
Final Thoughts
Scrooge: A Christmas Carol is a perfectly serviceable animated musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’s beloved novella.
It features attractive animation, a talented voice cast, several enjoyable musical numbers, and the same timeless message that has kept this story relevant for nearly two centuries.
However, it also struggles with a familiar problem facing adaptations of exceptionally well-known stories.
What exactly does this version bring to the table?
The answer is primarily its animation and musical presentation.
And while those elements provide some entertainment, they don’t necessarily elevate the film above its many predecessors.
There’s also the issue of pacing, with certain musical sequences disrupting the narrative and some emotional developments feeling underexplored.
Nevertheless, this isn’t an adaptation that fundamentally misunderstands Dickens’s story.
It recognizes the importance of compassion, generosity, regret, and redemption.
And honestly, considering some of the stranger creative decisions other adaptations have made over the years, maintaining that emotional foundation deserves some credit.
It’s an enjoyable enough Christmas movie, particularly for families looking for a colorful introduction to the story.
But for audiences seeking the definitive cinematic interpretation of A Christmas Carol, there are stronger options available.
Sometimes being reasonably entertaining is enough.
Even if the world probably doesn’t need another seventy-five versions of Ebenezer Scrooge learning how to be a decent human being.
Rating
6.5/10 — A Decent Animated Musical That Doesn’t Quite Reach the Heights of Dickens’s Best Adaptations
An entertaining, visually appealing retelling with strong voice performances and a pleasant festive atmosphere. Unfortunately, uneven pacing, underdeveloped supporting characters, and a lack of genuinely fresh storytelling prevent it from becoming something truly special.
SPOILER WARNING!
From this point forward, we’ll be discussing major plot developments, supernatural encounters, and the ending of Scrooge: A Christmas Carol.
Granted, we’re talking about a story that’s been around since 1843.
If you somehow don’t know what happens to Ebenezer Scrooge by now, I genuinely don’t know how you’ve managed to avoid it for nearly two centuries.
But hey, spoilers are spoilers!
Spoilers
The movie begins by establishing Scrooge’s miserable existence and his contempt for practically everyone around him.
He’s wealthy, unpleasant, and thoroughly convinced that Christmas celebrations are an unnecessary distraction from the far more important business of making money.
Luke Evans introduces this version of Scrooge with “I Hate People,” a musical number that makes his feelings toward humanity abundantly clear.
Subtlety, apparently, isn’t Ebenezer’s strongest quality.
One notable addition is Scrooge’s dog, Prudence, who provides a little extra personality and companionship to an otherwise deeply isolated character.
And honestly, there’s something amusing about a man who seemingly despises the entire human race having a dog as one of his closest companions.
Eventually, Scrooge returns home and encounters the ghost of Jacob Marley, his deceased business partner.
Marley appears burdened by the consequences of his greed and warns Scrooge that he’s heading toward a similarly miserable fate.
The supernatural intervention begins with the Ghost of Christmas Past, who transports Scrooge through memories of his earlier life.
These sequences explore his childhood, his relationship with his sister Jen, and his romance with Isabel.
The relationship with Isabel is especially important because it demonstrates that Scrooge wasn’t always the bitter, emotionally withdrawn man audiences encounter at the beginning.
There was once a time when he genuinely loved someone.
Unfortunately, his increasing obsession with financial success gradually consumed his priorities, damaging the relationship until it could no longer survive.
This is one of the most effective elements of Dickens’s original story because it demonstrates how Scrooge’s downfall occurred through a series of personal choices.
He didn’t simply wake up one morning and decide to become miserable.
He gradually sacrificed meaningful relationships in pursuit of wealth.
The Ghost of Christmas Present subsequently introduces Scrooge to the celebrations taking place throughout London.
Here, the story shifts its attention toward the people whose lives Scrooge has largely ignored.
Most importantly, we witness the Cratchit family and their attempts to enjoy Christmas despite their financial difficulties.
Bob Cratchit’s son, Tiny Tim, remains a central source of emotional concern.
His poor health and uncertain future force Scrooge to confront the consequences of his indifference toward people less fortunate than himself.
And this is where Dickens’s original social commentary becomes especially relevant.
Scrooge has spent much of his life dismissing the struggles of the poor, yet he’s now being forced to recognize that these are actual human beings with families, hopes, and fears.
They’re not simply inconvenient statistics in some financial calculation.
The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come then provides the story’s darkest material.
Unlike the more expressive earlier spirits, this figure represents the terrifying uncertainty of death and the consequences of a life spent without compassion.
Scrooge witnesses a future in which his death inspires little genuine grief.
Instead of being remembered fondly, he’s regarded with indifference and even satisfaction by people who knew him.
His possessions are taken, his reputation offers him no comfort, and the wealth he spent his life accumulating ultimately proves meaningless.
The future also reveals the devastating possibility of Tiny Tim’s death.
And the contrast is important.
Scrooge possesses considerable wealth but has failed to build meaningful relationships.
Tiny Tim possesses very little financially but is surrounded by people who genuinely love him.
The movie eventually brings Scrooge to the realization that he doesn’t want his life to end this way.
He begs for the opportunity to change, and when he awakens on Christmas morning, he discovers that the spirits have given him another chance.
Naturally, this results in an enthusiastic transformation.
Scrooge embraces generosity, reconnects with those around him, and makes amends for his earlier behavior.
The movie concludes with a celebratory musical finale, including “Thank You Very Much,” emphasizing his newfound appreciation for life and the people around him.
And that’s essentially the familiar conclusion we’ve come to expect from A Christmas Carol.
The miserable old businessman finally realizes that being rich doesn’t mean much if everybody thinks you’re an insufferable bastard.
Now, the ending is certainly uplifting, and the musical presentation gives it an appropriately festive atmosphere.
However, this is also where the adaptation’s relatively compressed emotional development becomes noticeable.
Scrooge’s transformation happens because the story requires it, and while the necessary events are present, the film doesn’t always give those moments enough room to breathe.
That’s particularly disappointing because the emotional payoff is arguably the most important part of this entire narrative.
Nevertheless, the movie understands that Scrooge’s redemption isn’t simply about becoming nicer.
It’s about recognizing the value of other people and accepting responsibility for how his behavior affects their lives.
And that remains the reason Charles Dickens’s story continues to resonate after all these years.
Ultimately, Scrooge: A Christmas Carol is a respectable, if somewhat unremarkable, addition to the enormous collection of adaptations.
It has its charms, but it doesn’t quite distinguish itself enough to become essential Christmas viewing.
Still, at least Ebenezer Scrooge learns his lesson.
Now, if only Hollywood could learn that we don’t necessarily need another adaptation every few years.
Bah humbug!
