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The Naughty Nine (2023) movie poster

Characters & Themes

The Naughty Nine (2023) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2023 · 83 mins · English
Echo score 64
JustWatch #2,920 7
Directed by
Alberto Belli
Starring
Danny Glover, Winslow Fegley, Daniel Stolfi, Deric McCabe, Randal Edwards, Mike Chute
Budget
$32M

After waking up on Christmas morning without a present from Santa, fifth-grader Andy is convinced he’s been unfairly placed on the naughty list. Determined to reclaim what he believes is rightfully his, Andy assembles a team of eight other children who have also been denied gifts. Together, they plan an elaborate heist on Santa’s Village in the North Pole, hoping to retrieve the presents they feel they deserve and prove that they aren't so naughty after all.

On this page (8)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (10)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (4)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 Movie threads
  7. 7 Movies like The Naughty Nine
  8. 8 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch The Naughty Nine (2023)

Where can you watch The Naughty Nine? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on FilmBox+, fuboTV and Lionsgate+ Amazon Channels: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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10 main characters · contains spoilers

The Naughty Nine Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of The Naughty Nine (2023), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Andy Steele (Winslow Fegley)

    A 5th-grade troublemaker who leads a toy heist with Dulce and often bends rules for personal gain. He is bright, fearless, and impulsive, always chasing thrills even at the risk of getting caught. His journey centers on learning responsibility and choosing to protect friends over petty mischief.

    • 🎭 Mischievous
    • 🧠 Clever
    • 👦 Protagonist
  • Dulce Gutierrez (Camila Rodríguez)

    Andy's best friend and partner in mischief, sharp-witted and bold. She shares the thrill of the caper but also shows loyalty and courage when the plan goes awry. Her arc contributes to understanding why they're drawn to risk and how they grow when consequences arise.

    • 🎭 Spirited
    • 🧠 Wily
    • 👧 Sidekick
  • Laurel Steele (Madilyn Kellam)

    Andy's sister who values doing the right thing and often outsmarts him. She is skeptical of their schemes but ultimately plays a key role in guiding them toward forgiveness. Laurel's presence grounds the group with a sense of responsibility and trust.

    • 🎭 Steady
    • 🧠 Resourceful
    • 👧 Sibling
  • Lewis Sobong (Anthony John Joo)

    The tech-savvy friend who uses an online algorithm to identify naughty-list candidates. He provides the plan, searches for options, and helps navigate the security and logistics of the North Pole caper. He remains loyal to the group, even when the risk elevates.

    • 💡 Tech-savvy
    • 🔎 Investigator
    • 🤝 Loyal
  • Bruno (Derek Theler)

    A pilot and Andy's father’s coworker who aids the kids by flying them toward the North Pole. He effectively persuades authorities that he is simply taking inventory, enabling the trip. He remains a supportive, strong-willed facilitator of the adventure.

    • 🛩️ Pilot
    • 🗺️ Navigator
    • 🧭 Helpful
  • Jon Anthony (Deric McCabe)

    A key elf-like figure who reveals his own ties to the 'originals' and designs, contributing to the disguise and costume plan. His actions highlight the ethics of creativity and theft while weaving into the caper.

    • 🎭 Trickster
    • 🧵 Costumer
    • 🏷️ Moral
  • Rose (Clara Stack)

    A brave ally who helps the kids during the heist, using her wits to distract elves and aid in the getaway. She assists with planning and supports escaping from elf security, playing a crucial role in their freedom.

    • 🌹 Ally
    • 🗡️ Quick-thinking
    • 🐎 Adventurer
  • Ha-Yoon (Imogen Cohen)

    A clever member of the crew who helps recruit reindeer for the escape and participates in the tense escape from Santa's village. She blends observant strategy with the courage to act when needed.

    • 🐣 Resourceful
    • 🐾 Reindeer ally
    • 🧊 Calm
  • Santa Claus (Danny Glover)

    The legendary figure who rules the Naughty and Nice lists, offering guidance and a stern test of the kids' characters. He reveals that no one is permanently on the naughty list and that the point is to learn to be better. He ultimately lets the Naughty Nine go but hints at future duties.

    • 🎅 Authority
    • 🕊️ Wisdom
    • 🧭 Mentor
  • Albert (Ayden Elijah)

    A charming child used to distract elf security with cuteness, enabling the team to slip into Santa's Village. He embodies the idea that even small acts can influence danger and help friends.

    • ✨ Cute distraction
    • 🧒 Small hero
    • 🪄 Trickster

Last updated: October 01, 2025 at 09:55

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Setting

Where and When Does The Naughty Nine Take Place?

The setting of The Naughty Nine (2023): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

Contemporary Christmas season

The story unfolds in the present day during the Christmas season. Modern technology and a trip to the North Pole drive the stakes, blending current-day humor with magical holiday elements. The timeframe allows the film to explore how timeless themes of kindness and growth play out in a festive, contemporary setting.

Location

North Pole, Santa's Village

The North Pole is a magical, snow-covered realm where Santa's workshop hums with activity and elves bustle about with presents. Santa's Village sits within this wintry domain, a colorful, bustling hub where costumes are made, reindeer are kept, and the workshop atmosphere blends fantasy with holiday tradition. The setting provides a fairy-tale backdrop for a contemporary kid-adventure that mixes mischief with heart.

  • ❄️ Winter Wonderland
  • 🎄 Holiday Setting

Last updated: October 01, 2025 at 09:55

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4 major themes

The Naughty Nine Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is The Naughty Nine (2023) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Redemption

    The Naughty Nine learn that being on a naughty list is not permanent and that there is room for forgiveness. Andy pushes for a fair consequence, but the story makes space for reconciliation and change. Their journey to Santa's workshop becomes a chance to reform and prove they can choose better over old patterns.

  • Friendship

    Andy, Dulce, Laurel, and their allies form a high-stakes team, relying on loyalty and quick thinking. The plan tests trust and forces difficult choices, but teamwork helps them navigate danger and recover the gifts. The narrative emphasizes that true friends support each other even when plans go awry.

  • Belief in Santa

    Santa is treated as a real force guiding the story, with guilt, generosity, and judgment shaping the kids’ actions. The naughty list and the magical North Pole raise questions about trust and the power of belief. The film uses Santa’s presence to emphasize kindness over petty mischief.

  • Family and Rivalry

    The dynamic between Andy and Laurel drives the plot, with sisterly duty clashing with brotherly schemes. Their eventual reconciliation shows that family bonds can endure conflict and guide personal growth. The themes of accountability and forgiveness within a family add emotional weight to the adventure.

Last updated: October 01, 2025 at 09:55

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Character & theme questions

The Naughty Nine Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about The Naughty Nine (2023): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where is Santa's Village located in the movie?

Santa's Village is located at the North Pole, a magical snow-covered realm where Santa's workshop hums with activity. It's depicted as a colorful, bustling hub with elves making presents, reindeer being kept, and a festive atmosphere that blends fantasy with holiday tradition.

  • north pole
  • santa village
  • setting
  • location
Q2

When does The Naughty Nine take place?

The movie takes place in the present day during the Christmas season. This contemporary setting allows the story to blend modern technology and current-day humor with magical holiday elements, exploring timeless themes of kindness in a familiar festive context.

  • christmas
  • present day
  • contemporary
  • time period
  • modern
Q3

What is the movie's message about the naughty list?

The movie teaches that being on the naughty list is not permanent and that there is room for forgiveness. Santa reveals that no one is permanently on the naughty list and that the point is to learn to be better, emphasizing redemption and personal growth over punishment.

  • naughty list
  • redemption
  • forgiveness
  • Santa
  • message
Q4

Who is Andy Steele and what motivates him?

Andy Steele is a 5th-grade troublemaker who leads the toy heist. He's bright, fearless, and impulsive, always chasing thrills even at the risk of getting caught. His motivation is believing he was unfairly placed on the naughty list and wanting to prove he deserves presents like everyone else.

  • andy steele
  • protagonist
  • main character
  • motivation
Q5

Who is Laurel Steele and what's her role in the story?

Laurel is Andy's sister, portrayed by Madilyn Kellam. She values doing the right thing and often outsmarts her brother. Though skeptical of their schemes, she ultimately plays a key role in guiding the group toward forgiveness and reconciliation, grounding the adventure with responsibility and trust.

  • laurel steele
  • sister
  • family
  • character role
Q6

What role does Santa play in the story?

Santa serves as the legendary figure who rules the Naughty and Nice lists. He acts as both judge and teacher, testing the kids' characters throughout their heist. Ultimately, Santa reveals that no one is permanently on the naughty list and lets the Naughty Nine go while hinting at future duties for them.

  • santa claus
  • santa
  • judge
  • moral compass
Q7

What are the main themes in The Naughty Nine?

The movie explores several key themes: redemption, as the kids learn they can change; friendship and teamwork, which helps them navigate danger; belief in Santa and the power of kindness over mischief; and family dynamics, particularly the rivalry and reconciliation between Andy and his sister Laurel.

  • themes
  • redemption
  • friendship
  • family
  • belief
Q8

Who is the tech-savvy kid who plans the North Pole heist?

Lewis Sobong is the tech-savvy friend portrayed by Anthony John Joo. He uses an online algorithm to identify naughty-list candidates and creates the plan for infiltrating Santa's Village, handling the security and logistics of the North Pole caper.

  • lewis sobong
  • tech
  • hacker
  • planning
  • heist
Q9

What does the movie say about forgiveness?

The movie emphasizes that forgiveness is possible even after wrongdoing. Andy pushes for fair consequences, but the story makes space for reconciliation and change. Their journey becomes a chance to prove they can choose better over old patterns, and Santa ultimately grants them forgiveness.

  • forgiveness
  • reconciliation
  • redemption
  • moral
Q10

Who are the other kids in the Naughty Nine?

The Naughty Nine includes Andy and eight other children who were denied Christmas gifts. Key members include Dulce (Andy's best friend and partner), Lewis (the planner), Rose (brave ally who helps with distractions), Ha-Yoon (helps recruit reindeer for escape), and Albert (uses charm to distract elf security).

  • naughty nine
  • team
  • characters
  • kids
  • crew

Movie threads

More Movies Like The Naughty Nine, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes The Naughty Nine tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Whimsical holiday mischief movies like The Naughty Nine

Mischievous adventures and lighthearted capers that celebrate the magic and meaning of the season. If you enjoyed the playful holiday heist of The Naughty Nine, this thread gathers similar movies with a feel-good spirit. Find other family-friendly films featuring mischievous plans, festive adventures, and heartwarming lessons about the season.

  • mischievous
  • whimsical
  • playful
  • heartwarming
  • hopeful
  • adventurous
  • Tone: light, whimsical
  • Pacing: fast, mission-oriented
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories in this thread typically follow a group, often kids or teens, who devise an ambitious, whimsical plan set against a holiday backdrop. The plot is driven by their mission, leading to comedic chaos and a resolution that reinforces positive values like teamwork and forgiveness, ensuring a happy and uplifting conclusion.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped together by their shared tone of lighthearted mischief, fast-paced adventure pacing, and the strong thematic anchor of a specific holiday. They balance playful antics with a sincere emotional core, making them perfect for family viewing.

Underdog team-up caper movies similar to The Naughty Nine

A group of underestimated outsiders bands together to pull off an unlikely, elaborate plan. Fans of The Naughty Nine will enjoy this collection of underdog team-up movies. Discover films where a group of unlikely heroes comes together for a clever mission, blending fast-paced adventure with themes of friendship and proving oneself.

  • teamwork
  • clever
  • underdog
  • adventurous
  • comedic
  • friendship
  • Tone: light, hopeful
  • Pacing: fast, heist-style
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern centers on recruitment and team-building, where each member brings a unique skill to a complex, often improbable plan. The journey involves overcoming obstacles through teamwork and ingenuity, leading to a success that affirms their collective worth and strengthens their bonds.

Why they belong together: These films share a core structure of team assembly and mission execution, unified by a tone that is more playful than gritty. The emphasis is on the fun of the caper itself and the character dynamics, rather than high stakes or serious consequences.

If you liked this

Movies Like The Naughty Nine

Similar movies to The Naughty Nine: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

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Every angle

The Naughty Nine (2023) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about The Naughty Nine in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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