New ‘Ebenezer’ Trailer Highlights Ghostly Elements in Ti West’s ‘A Christmas Carol’

Charles Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol’ is arguably the most adapted holiday tale in history, featuring notable renditions like the 1951 ‘Scrooge’ starring Alastair Sim, the 1984 version with George C. Scott, ‘Scrooged’, and even a Muppet musical. This extensive array of adaptations raises a pertinent question for any new interpretation: what fresh perspective can be offered? Director Ti West appears to have found an answer, focusing on the story’s spectral elements.

Known for his horror trilogy ‘X’, ‘Pearl’, and ‘MaXXXine’, West collaborates with screenwriter Nathaniel Halpern, producer Emma Watts, and Paramount Pictures for this Dickensian project. The studio’s tagline, “The name you know, the story you don’t,” suggests that this film will delve deeper into the familiar narrative.

Paramount has unveiled a new trailer, announcing that the film will hit theaters on Nov. 13. This latest footage emphasizes the ghosts, dark atmosphere, and quirky humor characteristic of West’s adaptation. The trailer runs approximately 2 minutes and 33 seconds, prominently featuring Johnny Depp as Ebenezer Scrooge.

This trailer follows an earlier teaser released over the summer, which depicted Depp’s Scrooge as a grumpy miser throwing snowballs. Variety reported that West shared with a CinemaCon audience that his exposure to various ‘A Christmas Carol’ adaptations provided some of his earliest insights into the horror genre. The Playlist described the new trailer as a darker, more ghostly interpretation, showcasing Depp’s Scrooge with a blend of humor, malice, and just enough rationale to make him more complex.

Think you know his story? Think again. Johnny Depp is Ebenezer Scrooge. The spirits arrive in the official new trailer for EBENEZER – only in theatres November 13. pic.twitter.com/cb6p9JBq9C

— Ebenezer (@ebenezermovie) October 1, 2026

The cast is led by Depp, with Andrea Riseborough portraying the Ghost of Christmas Past and Tramell Tillman from ‘Severance’ as the Ghost of Christmas Present. Ian McKellen takes on the role of Jacob Marley, marking his first appearance in any ‘A Christmas Carol’ adaptation despite his extensive career in British theater and film.

Rupert Grint plays Bob Cratchit, while Sam Claflin portrays Scrooge’s nephew, Fred. The ensemble also includes Daisy Ridley, Arthur Conti as young Ebenezer, Ellie Bamber, Henry Lloyd-Hughes, and Charlie Murphy. This marks the second collaboration between Depp and Ridley, who previously worked together on ‘Murder on the Orient Express’ in 2017.

Earlier footage presented at CinemaCon provided a clearer insight into the film’s tone. According to TheWrap, Riseborough’s ghost is depicted as white and bald, seemingly dressed in a wedding gown, while Tillman’s ghost appears deathly ill with an exposed ribcage. The report indicated that while the footage retains some of the humor associated with Depp’s characters, the spirits themselves are portrayed as dark and terrifying.

iHorror remarked that the initial trailer serves as a reminder that ‘A Christmas Carol’ is fundamentally a ghost story, noting that West alters the narrative’s atmosphere rather than merely amplifying its intensity. Filming took place in London and Dublin, and the film is characterized as a Christmas gothic dark fantasy set in Dickens’ London.

Reactions to the trailers have varied. Some fans expressed a desire for a more gothic interpretation given West’s involvement, while others felt that Depp effectively captured the comedic aspects of Scrooge. Some viewers noted that the first trailer heavily emphasized the notion of a comeback, referencing Depp’s return to major studio filmmaking.

Variety highlighted ‘Ebenezer’ as Depp’s first significant Hollywood role following his 2022 trial against Amber Heard. His career also includes international films like ‘Minamata’ and ‘Jeanne du Barry’, along with directing ‘Modì, Three Days on the Wing of Madness’. The film also faces competition from another Dickens adaptation, with a Warner Bros. project in the works from director Robert Eggers, reportedly featuring Willem Dafoe.

Paramount’s ‘Ebenezer’ is set to release nationwide on Friday, Nov. 13, strategically timed for the holiday season. The studio’s marketing positions it as a significant theatrical event, and the new trailer aims to generate excitement with a darker tone compared to most family-friendly adaptations. Whether it emerges as a gothic ghost story or a star-driven holiday comedy will depend on how West balances these elements.

With roughly six weeks until its release, further promotional content is expected, including posters, clips, and press appearances from the cast. For now, the new trailer offers fans a glimpse into the film’s atmosphere and a cast that features a blend of British and American screen icons. If the early footage is any indication, this Scrooge tale aims to instill a sense of fear in its viewers.

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