

Spirited is an Apple TV+ original film that premiered on November 18, 2022, following its theatrical engagement a week prior.
Plot[]
For nearly two centuries, Jacob Marley and the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet-to-Come have led a team of afterlife spirits in helping find and redeem one new human soul or “perp” every Christmas ("That Christmas Morning Feelin'"). Present has been eligible for "retirement" for decades but refuses to do so, despite being tempted by the promise of settling down and making up for his own failures in his past life ("Present's Lament").
Scoping for a new soul to redeem, the spirits encounter Clint Briggs, a renowned, controversial media consultant ("Bringin' Back Christmas"). Despite Marley's insistence that Briggs is "unredeemable", Present is set on him, as he believes that Clint's redemption could have a “ripple” effect and make him a force for positive change in humanity. The Ghosts begin a year of research on Clint in preparation for the annual haunt. ("Ripple").
As Christmas approaches, the Ghosts visit Clint's headquarters, where they witness him instructing his niece Wren, who is running for class president, to tank her grades and post an unflattering video of her opponent Joshua. Clint’s assistant Kimberly, who uncovered the video at Clint's instruction, is riddled with guilt and almost quits, but ultimately doesn't ("The View from Here"). Matters are further complicated when Kimberly is unexpectedly able to see Present, who finds himself attracted to her. The haunt starts, but it quickly goes off the rails when Clint repeatedly interrupts Marley ("The Story of Your Life (Marley's Haunt)") and then seduces the willing Past, forcing Present to step in and take over.
Clint is dismissive of Present and resists his past memories, particularly those of his ex-girlfriend Nora, who broke up with him over his selfishness, and of his older sister Carrie, who asked Clint to raise her daughter Wren while on her deathbed. Realizing that Clint's case will require an unconventional approach, Present takes Clint back into his own past, where Present reveals that he was once Ebenezer Scrooge, the only other irredeemable soul to go through the program ("Good Afternoon"). Marley is furious and orders Present to "stick to the script".
Present brings Clint to Nora, happily celebrating Christmas with her husband and children, but Clint deduces that it is Present himself who longs for a happy family life with Kimberly ("The Story of Your Life (Clint's Pitch)"). Present dismisses this and instead shows him Joshua's horrified reaction to Wren's re-posting of his video. Present then finally gets Clint to relive his most painful memory: Carrie's dying request of Clint to raise Wren, which Clint had refused and passed onto their younger brother Owen.
Present prepares to leave Clint with Yet-To-Come, but Clint forces Present to confront his own fears about whether he was truly redeemed, as Scrooge had died only three weeks after encountering the Ghosts. Clint convinces Present to take his retirement and give life on Earth another try ("Unredeemable"). Soon after, the two wake up in Clint's apartment, and Present, now mortal, asks Kimberly out on a date ("The View from Here (Riverwalk)"). Clint is then intercepted by Yet-to-Come and shown glimpses of the future, including Joshua's suicide after Wren's video destroys his reputation. Shaken, Clint tries to run from the haunt, but Past and Yet-To-Come block his escape and force him back to Earth.
Returning to his apartment, Clint and Present race to stop Wren from posting the video. Just as they catch up to her, Kimberly stops them. She tells Clint that she convinced Wren not to do it, then quits her job. Present is jubilant and waits for Clint to receive his congratulations from the ghost crew, but is confused when they don’t arrive.
Clint explains that all he did was rectify a mistake and that he hasn't changed, but he tells Present that life is still worth trying and offers his friendship. Present, despondent and convinced he is unredeemable, jumps in front of an oncoming bus in order to return to his job in the afterlife. Clint shoves him out of the way, and just before the bus hits, time freezes, and the spirits arrive to congratulate Clint for achieving his redemption ("Do a Little Good"). However, when time resumes, the bus hits Clint, killing him. Carrie arrives shortly after to lead Clint into the afterlife, and while Clint is overjoyed to see his sister again, he is reluctant to leave Present behind. Instead, he makes a proposal to Marley.
Several years later, Clint has assumed the role of the Ghost of Christmas Present and is in a relationship with Past. He is expanding the program to include other holidays, take on more perps every year, and has brought Carrie onboard as part of the staff. Clint also regularly visits Present, now married to Kimberly and father of their two children, and the friends continue to work together redeeming souls. Wren has grown up and has been accepted into a masters program at Stanford ("That Christmas Morning Feelin' (Curtain Call)").
In a post-credit scene, the hotel manager from the Christmas tree convention is revealed to be the next "perp" chosen for redemption.
Songs[]
Original[]
- "Blansky's Redemption"
- "That Christmas Morning Feelin’"
- "Present's Lament"
- "Bringin' Back Christmas"
- "Tiny Ripple"
- "The View from Here"
- "The Story of Your Life" (Marley's Haunt)
- "Good Afternoon"
- "The Story of Your Life" (Clint's Pitch)
- "Unredeemable"
- "The View from Here" (Riverwalk)
- "Funeral Dirge"
- "The View from Here" (Kimberly's Turn)
- "Do a Little Good"
- "That Christmas Morning Feelin’" (Curtain Call)
- "Ripple" (Cut Song)
Source[]
Title(s) | Performed by |
---|---|
"Joy to the World" | Paul Croteau |
"In Your Eyes" | Peter Gabriel |
"O Christmas Tree" | Jordan Seigel |
"Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" | Brenda Lee |
Selections from A Charlie Brown Christmas: "Charlie Brown Theme" "Linus and Lucy" |
The Vince Guaraldi Trio |
"It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" | Kidz Bop Kids |
Beethoven's "Für Elise" | Sean Wiggins and Zane Taylor |
"Step into Christmas" | Elton John |
"Santa Baby" | Maria Z |
"Come On Over Santa" | Sean Wiggins and Wes Garren |
"We Wish You a Merry Christmas" | Ken Morrison |
Cast[]
Actor/actress | Character(s) |
---|---|
Will Ferrell | Present |
Ryan Reynolds | Clint Briggs |
Octavia Spencer | Kimberly |
Patrick Page | Marley |
Sunita Mani | Past |
Loren Woods (body) Tracy Morgan (voice) |
Yet to Come |
Joe Tippett | Owen |
Marlow Barkley | Wren Young Carrie (young) |
Aimee Carrero | Nora |
Andrea Anders | Carrie Briggs |
Jen Tullock | Wendy |
Adam Grupper | Mr. Bryan |
Rose Byrne | Ms. Blansky |
Matt Cardenes | Neighbor Dad |
Ava Bernstine-Mitchell | Neighbor Mom Costume Ghost #1 |
Charlene Anders | Neighbor Girl |
Naheem Garcia | Harlan |
Jayme Rae Dailey | Security Ghost |
Nico Tirozzi | Clint (age 8) |
Chloe Arnold | Senator |
Ian Dolley | 1800s London Boy |
Alison Weller | 1800s Street Vendor |
Candice Marie | Zoe |
Darrion Gallegos | Gabe |
Woody Fu | Charlie |
Maximilian Piazza | Josh Hubbins |
Martin Lee | Father |
Gregory Swartz Chau Long |
Support Ghosts |
Maven Morgan | Present's Daughter |
Giovanni Daniel Pollina | Present's Son |
P.J. Byrne | Mr. Alteli |
Jon Kobs | Cab Driver |
Ai Shimatsu | Communications Ghost |
Kameron N. Saunders | Headset Ghost |
Sophia Algilani | Wren (age 8) |
Jeremy Hudson | 1800s Bobby Cop |
Jason Holley | 1800s Carriage Driver |
Sky Vaux Fuller | 1800s Ragamuffin Girl |
Donyelle Denise Jones | 1800s Woman in Line |
Danny Silverberg | 1800s Priest |
Pamela Yasutake | 1800s Bride |
Will Thomas | 1800s Groom Elf Partygoer |
Courtney Allen | 1800s Scullery Maid |
Scott Myrick | 1800s Pauper |
Khadijah Wilson Martha Nichols |
1800s Proper Ladies |
Gavin Maddox Bergman | Oliver Twist |
Amanda Cleghorn | 1800s Woman in Line |
Christina Glur | 1800s Pub Woman |
Kim Niemi | 1800s Pub Waitress |
Addison Sharp | Briggs Media Receptionist |
Gaby Diaz | Spanish Ghost |
Jeremy Hays | 1800s Showman |
Marcos Valles | Nora's Husband |
Kevin Craig West | Steve (Tree Grower) |
Steve Gagliastro | Walter the Janitor |
Kaitlynn Edgar Randi Freitas |
Reporters |
Jabu Graybeal | Randy |
Judi Dench | Self |
Elijah Peter Carvalho | Nora's Son |
Emelia Harewood | Nora's Daughter |
Amos Lee Hamrick III Josiah Hamrick |
Present's Fantasy Sons |
Mauro DePasquale Edward Conley Philip Madison |
Jazz Trio |
Thomas P. Gillis | Old Clint |
Bianca Brewton | Ghost Research Assistant |
Heather Sullivan | 1800s Mother with Pram |
Alex Akerblom | 1800s Aristocrat |
James Grillo | 1800s Pianist |
Billy Concha | 1800s Fish and Chips Man |
Maraide Green | Coffee Ghost |
Valerie Martin | NY Bystander |
Cynthia Meng | Owen's Keyboardist |
Alexandra Eckhardt | Owen's Bassist |
Maud Arnold | Ghost Executive |
Jimmy Fallon | Self |
Samuel Williams | Self |
Lily Sullivan | HR Ghost (Margo) |
Alise Morales Cheyenne Perez |
Recruit Women |
Cody Brotter Nate Jackson |
Recruit Guys |
Gallery[]
External links[]
content from Wikipedia (view authors). |
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