Dear Santa Review: Jack Black Saves the Holidays

A boy’s Christmas wish goes awry when he summons Satan instead of Santa, Jack Black shines, but forced humor and chaos hold Dear Santa back.

After accidentally misspelling “Santa” as “Satan” in his Christmas letter, Liam unknowingly summons the Prince of Darkness himself (Jack Black, of Borderlands), who agrees to grant him three wishes, for a price. What begins as a hilarious, high-concept premise quickly devolves into a chaotic finale, leaving more questions than answers. While Jack Black’s comedic charm keeps the film afloat, Dear Santa struggles with forced humor, inconsistent storytelling, and an underwhelming conclusion.

The premise of Dear Santa is undeniably fun, playing on the classic “letter mix-up” meme that many have joked about during the holidays. Jack Black fully embraces the absurdity of his role, delivering a devilish yet oddly lovable Satan who oscillates between playful mischief, and a surprising amount of heart. His over-the-top performance provides the film’s most memorable moments, a standout scene is when Satan shows up at Liam’s school to offer him advice on asking out his crush, Emma, resulting in an awkward yet triumphant moment when Liam secures a date with her. Without Black’s humor and energy, Dear Santa would feel far less inspired and far more forgettable.

However, the comedy around him often feels forced. Supporting characters like Dr. Finkleman (Keegan-Michael Key, Transformers One) and a Crossing Guard (Cate Freedman) lean too heavily on exaggerated quirks that are more grating than funny. Some moments feel very cartoonish and disconnected from the grounded emotions that the film tries to evoke through Liam’s struggles and his parents’ marital problems.  Similarly, many of Liam’s classmates, particularly the bullies, feel more like caricatures than believable characters. This tonal inconsistency undermines the film’s more heartfelt moments, like Liam’s attempts to maintain his mother’s Christmas spirit or his growing friendship with Gibby (Jaden Carson Baker).

Dear Santa has moments that resonated with me, particularly through Liam’s relationship with his family. His decision to keep believing in Santa to preserve his mother Molly’s (Brianne Howey) love for Christmas, which to be honest is something I have done myself, is a touching detail that adds depth to his character. These quieter moments show how much Liam cares for his family, even as he struggles with his own insecurities and grief.

The subplot about his parents’ marital problems, however, is far less effective. Introduced as a source of tension early on, this storyline is forgotten for much of the movie, only to be brought back awkwardly in the third act. When the issue is finally revisited, it feels forced and superficial, robbing the family dynamic of the emotional weight it could have had.

Liam’s friendship with Gibby  provides some additional warmth, but even this relationship lacks depth. Gibby’s role largely serves as comic relief, and while his disappointment at being left out of Liam’s adventures adds a layer of complexity, it’s not explored enough to be impactful.

The final act of Dear Santa throws logic and continuity out the window. Without revealing too many spoilers, the last 15 minutes feels disconnected from the rest of the narrative, and left me with more questions than satisfaction. Liam’s final wish and Satan’s arc as a half-demon facing his own trials had potential to deliver a clever resolution, but instead, they feel rushed and underdeveloped.

Dear Santa starts with a unique concept and is bolstered by Jack Black’s hilarious and charismatic performance. However, its uneven comedy, underwhelming character development, and messy conclusion prevent it from becoming a holiday classic. While there are moments of heart and humor, especially for viewers who enjoy over-the-top absurdity, the film ultimately feels like a missed opportunity.

Dear Santa is now available to watch on Paramount+.

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