THE ONE
A heartwarming holiday story that celebrates kindness, faith, and Christmas.
Should You Watch It?
Yes, this heartfelt Christmas movie has a compelling storyline, a strong cast, and an engaging plot. It offers a touching experience while tackling difficult themes, including the realities many children in the foster care system face. The story explores family, love, kindness, forgiveness, and faith, emphasizing God's plan for our lives, even when we don't understand it.
However, some plot points feel underdeveloped, and certain details seem designed to add drama rather than move the story forward. The movie also includes some mild violence, drug use (followed by an apology), and other minor immoral behavior. Parents should preview the movie for younger children, as its heavier themes may overshadow the Christmas cheer.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESHawk, recently 18 and ejected from the foster system, travels to Enid, Oklahoma, to see the country’s largest Christmas tree in person. Despite his difficult circumstances, he never loses faith in God. When he meets Alexis, a grief-stricken teen who struggles to connect with her family, the pair form a friendship and learn lessons about faith, family, and the true meaning of Christmas.
Is It Any Good?
Three stars for an uplifting Christmas movie that celebrates kindness, family, and faith. The strong script keeps viewers engaged, balancing sweet holiday moments with a sobering look at the challenges many children in the foster care system face, especially as they approach adulthood.
These harsher realities add weight to the story and make its more heartwarming moments all the more poignant. The cast also delivers, with Jana Kramer, Noah Redclay, and Olivia Sanabia giving strong performances and Martin Sheen adding a welcome touch.
However, some story elements feel underdeveloped and add little to the overall plot. These details seem intended to add drama but receive too little attention to feel meaningful. Still, the movie offers a worthwhile reminder that compassion and faith can make a lasting difference in a child's life.
The Worldview
A strong Christian worldview runs through this Christmas story. Characters talk about faith, prayer, God’s plan, and the true meaning of Christmas. They attend church, receive baptism, and sing hymns.
In one tender scene, a character asks how God could let bad things happen, and another answers that God always works for good. The story also honors moral values such as kindness, love, family, and service to others.
A few brief violent moments appear. A flashback depicts a man who abuses his wife and foster child, but the scene implies the violence more than it shows it. Other scenes depict characters who smoke marijuana and vape. One character also takes stolen prescription pills, though she later apologizes for her behavior. Miscellaneous immorality includes lies and gossip.
In the end, the movie's strong message echoes Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Dominant Worldview and Other Worldview Content/Elements
A strong Christian worldview, with discussions of faith, prayer, the true biblical meaning of Christmas, and God’s plan. Characters are shown attending church, singing hymns, and getting baptized. There are also moral elements, like family, friendship, kindness, and forgiveness;
Foul Language
No foul language;
Violence
A few scenes that depict a man abusing his wife and foster child. While nothing is really shown, the violence is implied;
Sex
A couple kiss, and one character attempts to push things further, but the other shuts it down;
Nudity
No nudity;
Alcohol Use
No alcohol use;
Smoking and/or Drug Use and Abuse
Characters smoke marijuana, vape, and take prescription pills that were stolen from someone else (one character later apologizes for this behavior;
Miscellaneous Immorality
A character lies about where her daughter is so as not to look bad in front of other people, women at the church gossip about another character.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
THE ONE includes many conversations about God’s plan, and how it can look different than what we have planned for ourselves. How can we reframe how we view our own trials as part of God’s larger purpose for us? Romans 8:28-31
In the movie, characters share the true meaning of Christmas, celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. Why do some people miss the message of the holiday? How can you help center the message for others? Luke 2:10-11
Grieving her sister, Alexis questions how God could let bad things happen. How can questioning and exploring your relationship with God actually strengthen your faith? 1 Corinthians 13:12
The Final Word
Faith, family, kindness, and love shine through THE ONE, a tender Christmas story. A few moments of violence, drug use, and miscellaneous immorality means parents should preview the movie for their youngest viewers. Otherwise, families with older kids and teens can gather around this holiday gem and walk away reminded that God holds a hope and a future for each of them.
