When many people think of a Christmas classic, it’s safe to say that “Elf” is one of the first movies to come to mind. The 2003 film stars Will Ferrell as Buddy Hobbs, a human who was raised by Santa’s elves in the North Pole, and follows his odyssey to New York City to discover who he truly is. “Elf” explores themes of family, romance and acceptance, while aiming to warm the hearts of its viewers during the holiday season.
Ever since I saw this movie for the first time as a child, my favorite part of “Elf” has been Buddy himself. Between the character's humorous charm and Ferrell’s performance, I still love everything about this protagonist.
Since his entire life has revolved around Christmas, Buddy finds joy in every little thing. Whether it’s throwing a party in the mailroom below his father’s office or congratulating the workers at The World’s Best Cup of Coffee, Buddy’s positivity can bring a smile to anyone’s face. I also enjoyed how his optimistic attitude eventually spread to more negative and pessimistic characters in the film, such as his father, Walter (James Caan) and half-brother, Michael (Daniel Tay).
Although I’m usually not a fan of Ferrell’s films, I think his performance style works so well for this role. He truly goes all out in this movie when it comes to acting silly and childish, and it makes “Elf” all the more enjoyable. He excels even in short scenes with no dialogue that are solely created for a little chuckle, such as when Buddy gets stuck on the escalator because he simply just doesn’t know how it works. Even at times when Buddy is at his most vulnerable, like his first date with his love interest, Jovie (Zooey Deschanel), and the big fight with his father, Ferrell does so great with this character.
I genuinely have so much praise for this film. I love how cartoonish the North Pole looks and the stark contrast between where Buddy grew up and the American city he’s truly from. I’m also obsessed with the elf costumes. Buddy’s outfit is by far the most iconic part of this movie, and the absurdity of it by our standards makes him stand out in New York even more.
However, I do have some criticisms of this film. In my opinion, the entire romance arc between Buddy and Jovie feels forced, and the two actors don’t have much chemistry. Although Deschanel’s character works as a mall elf and is the first person Buddy sees who is also a human dressed as an elf, there was no need for romance in this movie. I think the messages of familial love and staying true to one's self were clear enough without the unnecessary addition of romance.
The character development of Walter was also odd to me. Throughout the film, Walter Hobbs is portrayed as a grumpy, heartless businessman who hates Buddy. Yet, after the two fight and Buddy runs away, his entire personality suddenly changes. He becomes kind and loving towards Buddy seemingly out of nowhere. As much as I love the development of this father-son relationship, I think Walter’s shift should’ve happened slowly and begun much sooner than it did.
Overall, I give “Elf” 4.5/5 stars. This movie has always held such a special place in my heart and it is genuinely so fun to watch. Buddy is such a lovable protagonist and will make any viewer smile as they follow his journey, and the messages audiences can learn from him make "Elf" more than just a Christmas movie. Although it's rated PG and is considered a family film, this movie can be enjoyed by viewers of all ages. So, for anyone looking for a movie to warm their hearts during this cold holiday season, "Elf" is the perfect choice.
"Elf" is currently available on HBO Max, YouTube TV, Hulu and Prime Video with a special subscription and other lesser known streaming services.
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Amelia Gatzke, freshman majoring in psychology, is from Huntsville, Alabama. She has been with The Auburn Plainsman since the fall of 2025.
