Spirit

The film begins with the Ghost of Christmas Yet-To-Come (Tracy Morgan) standing before Karen Blansky (Rose Byrne) in a cemetery, where she reflects on her bitter attitude. Karen, before encountering the ghosts, has been unkind to her neighbors but begins to realize her potential fate after seeing her grave. The ghost's presence prompts her to vow to change her ways.

On Christmas Day, Karen wakes up and joyfully joins her neighbors' kids outside, showing her transformation from a mean person to a kinder individual. The ghosts, including Bonnie and Jacob Marley, arrive to commend her for her change in attitude. They sing a song about doing good in the world, celebrating her newfound kindness.

Jacob Marley gathers the ghosts to plan their next haunting, targeting a hotel manager named Mr. Alteli. The ghosts arrive at the hotel and observe him berating a janitor, exemplifying his mean behavior. The focus then shifts to Clint Briggs, a charismatic CEO whose attitude intrigues Present Ghost.

The ghosts follow Clint as he gives a provocative presentation, where he discusses supporting real trees and his skepticism about change. Present Ghost becomes interested in rehabilitating Clint despite Jacob's objections, leading to a year-long investigation into Clint’s past and present actions.

Present Ghost and the spirits delve into Clint’s history, learning about his childhood, the loss of his dog, and his strained relationships with his family. They discover how Clint’s early experiences and failures shaped his cynical view that people cannot change.

Clint's adult life shows a series of selfish and destructive decisions, including toxic work campaigns and neglecting his family’s needs. Present Ghost witnesses the heartbreaking moment when Clint's sister Carrie is dying from cancer and how Clint dismisses his responsibilities toward others, deepening his unredeemable nature.

The spirits reveal that Present Ghost was once Ebenezer Scrooge, expressing how his own frustrations mirror Clint’s current attitude. Clint encourages Present to vent his anger, but Jacob intervenes, warning against revealing too much and risking destabilizing the process.

Clint revisits pivotal moments, including his mother's lies, his estranged relationship with Nora, and his manipulative tactics in politics. These memories expose how his actions have caused suffering and reveal his deep-seated fears of change.

Clint encounters the ghost of Carrie, who warns him of the consequences of his actions, paving the way for his self-awareness. This encounter motivates him to accept his flaws and consider his potential for redemption, even as he begins to question his own unchangeability.

In a heroic act, Clint sacrifices himself to save Present Ghost from being hit by a bus, which results in his death. His selfless act earns him redemption in the spirit realm, with Carrie welcoming him back as a proud sister. He joins the realm of spirits, leaving his mortal life behind.

Years pass, and Clint takes on the role of the Ghost of Christmas Present, working with Carrie and Bonnie. He visits Present and Kimberly, now married with children, helping to show the ongoing impact of his earlier journey. They all sing together in a joyful reunion.

The film concludes with Mr. Alteli still being a jerk, as the spirits begin haunting him by causing objects to move and shake around him. He faints in fear, indicating the spirits’ ongoing efforts to teach him lessons, leaving his future in uncertainty.