‘Ebenezer’ Spins the Classic Christmas Tale on its Head

While A Christmas Carol has seen many iterations for decades, Ebenezer gives this popular Charles Dickens story a spooky spin under the direction of Ti West and writer Nathaniel Halpern. From Scrooge’s childhood abuse to frightening jump scares, this is a Gothic retelling that we haven’t seen before.

The trailers for Ebenezer gave us a glimpse into the film’s plot in a way that almost made this seem like it would simply be a retelling of Scrooge (Johnny Depp) and his three haunts: Ghost of Christmas Past (Andrea Riseborough), Ghost of Christmas Present (Tramell Tillman), and Ghost of Christmas Future (Depp). However, once the hauntings actually get underway, it’s clear that Ti West is bringing his horror experience to the forefront. The film is broken into five distinct staves, much like verses in a poem, and hearken back to the original Dickens text. Each stave has its own tone that explores Ebenezer’s journey through realization, acceptance, and repentance.

Stave 1: Marley’s Ghost

In Stave 1, we get a look at the dynamic between Scrooge and his business partner Jacob Marley (Ian McKellen). Marley is portrayed to be just as grouchy and ruthless as Scrooge up until his untimely death within their office. We’re also introduced to Bob Cratchit (Rupert Grint) who works for them, yet is significantly more into the Christmas spirit than his employers. Seven years after Marley dies, Scrooge is visited by Marley’s ghost, stating that if he doesn’t learn his lesson from his upcoming haunts, he’s doomed to fall into Marley’s fate of wandering across the beyond in chains. McKellen is surprisingly crotchety and mean in his portrayal of Marley, and he does beautiful work later transforming himself into a tired, remorseful ghost burdened by chains.

Stave 2: The First of the Three Spirits

Riseborough delivers a haunting performance as the Ghost of Christmas Past. Her high-pitched vocal affect is taunting and eerie, providing an almost childlike innocence to her tone that combats her scary appearance in all-white. Her character’s costuming, hair, and makeup are a stunning display of craftsmanship, which applies to all of the ghosts we see within the film. In this stave, we explore Ebenezer’s childhood, filled with bullying, parental abandonment, abuse, and the care of his sister. This visit gives a very detailed look at the traumas that inform his character, explaining quite clearly why he is the way he is. We also see his brief loving relationship as a young man with Belle (Ellie Bamber). Yet as his desire for wealth and power increases, he closes his heart to fully appreciating the young woman he once yearned to be with.

Stave 3: The Second of the Three Spirits

Depp’s acting opposite Tillman as the Ghost of Christmas Present is where both actors shine the most in the film. While Ebenezer learns more about the Cratchit family in present day, Tillman’s character decomposes as time begins to run out. The heightened exchanges between the two actors ground the story in its depiction of Ebenezer as someone who is coming to terms with the current repercussions of their behavior, yet is still somewhat unwilling to take full accountability. Tillman’s exasperation builds with each scene, and his performance intensifies as he goes toe-to-toe with the stubborn Ebenezer.

Stave 4: The Last of the Spirits

Ebenezer’s haunts come to an end with the final spirit, the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. After seeing the Cratchit family locked away in a debtors’ prison and realizing that their youngest child, Tim (Freddie Lee-Grey), is no longer alive, he comes face-to-face with the soulless version of himself as his own reaper. Depp’s portrayal of despair and repentance is strongest here, and we genuinely hope to see him change for the better. West’s depiction of the overwhelming darkness surrounding Ebenezer in Stave 4 amplifies the supernatural and practical effects used that make this final ghost encounter truly horrifying and scary.

Stave 5: The End of It

The film concludes with the classic ending we all know and love. Ebenezer awakens in his bed on Christmas morning, runs to the window to ask if it’s truly Christmas, then celebrates when he realizes he has another chance to turn his life around. We catch glimpses of Depp’s charm and humor as he jumps around his room, reconnects with his character’s nephew Fred (Sam Claflin), and offers Bob Cratchit the opportunity to become his business partner. The ending solidifies Depp’s acting range throughout the film, and West gives the audience a clear vision of joy and feel-good holiday cheer.

Overall, this film is a spooky ride that families can enjoy during the holidays. With few story surprises yet several jump scares and a unique Gothic vibe, Ti West does a good job in making this story his own.

NOC Rating: 3 out of 5 Spirits.