Charming reprobate Chris Evans, how I've missed you.

Though most people these days know him as Captain America, Evans is at his best when he's wise-cracking, scruffy, mildly sleazy and avoiding debt collectors. That's the man we meet in "Red One," a Christmas buddy action movie that is as light and fun as a Christmas cookie. Evans is a healthy part of that enjoyment, along with some nice world building and J.K. Simmons as a surprisingly athletic Santa. Since it's a Christmas movie, there's even an inspirational message.

You can pick up the basics of the story from the trailers - Santa is missing, and a very tough-looking group from the North Pole make Chris Evans' character help find him. Their take on how the North Pole works is interesting, with a twist or two I didn't see coming. Kristofer Hivju's Krampus is also a lot of fun, and is folded well into the story.

Sadly, there are a few minor hiccups. The CGI isn't great, particularly during action scenes, and it can be distracting at times. Dwayne Johnson also plays the same role he always does, and his difficulties with emotional nuance of any kind continue.

There's nothing worse than being trapped in a social situation you desperately want to leave.

That's definitely the case with "Heretic," A24's latest twist on the religious horror genre. Though there are quite a few big thoughts tossed around over the course of the movie, the most frightening part of the first hour is a pleasant conversation going slowly, horribly wrong. This is especially true when you're having the conversation with evil Hugh Grant, who has learned to weaponize all his charm in the most unsettling way possible. Though the end stumbles somewhat under the weight of dramatic plot twists, the first part of the movie carries a chill that will stay with you.

Grant has been a villain before, in movies such as "Paddington 2" and "Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves," but he's never laid on the menace like he does here. He weaves it in with the charm, little alarms pinging in the back of your head that you don't recognize until it's too late. Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East are great as the two missionaries, adding very real nuance to the traditional religious stereotype, but when Grant's onscreen it's hard to look away.

The deep thoughts being discussed may be just as gripping to people who are into intense discussion about the nature of religion. The debate can feel a little like the filmmakers have trapped you in a lecture hall at times, but kudos to them for making it a pretty unsettling lecture. The debate wanes after the more traditional scares start, and while some of the plot twists were a little too absurd the final moments have a surprisingly delicate touch.

It's one of the bits that will linger in your memory even after you leave the theater.

Grade: Three stars