Can a holiday film successfully blend multiple stories into one snowy, seaside Christmas tale?
In short: That Christmas weaves together the lives of residents in a small seaside town during a blizzard. From a shy boy navigating his parents' divorce to mischievous twins and a local rebel, the film explores the complexities of the holiday season through an animated lens, ultimately questioning what it means to be nice.
Directed by Simon Otto in his feature debut, That Christmas is an animated adaptation of short stories by Richard Curtis and illustrator Rebecca Cobb. Set in the fictional seaside town of Wellington-on-Sea, the narrative follows three distinct groups: Danny Williams, who struggles with his parents' separation; twin sisters Sam and Charlie Beccles; and Bernadette McNutt, a local rebel. Their lives intersect during a severe snowstorm that traps parents away from home and forces the children to navigate the holiday on their own terms. The film uses these entwined storylines to examine themes of family, loneliness, and the subjective nature of the naughty-or-nice dichotomy.
The production journey began in 2019 under the title The Empty Stocking, with Locksmith Animation eventually partnering with DNEG Animation for digital production. The film features a notable voice cast, including Brian Cox, Fiona Shaw, Jodie Whittaker, and Bill Nighy. Musically, the project is anchored by a score from John Powell, with additional contributions from artists including Ed Sheeran, whose song Under the Tree was released as a single ahead of the film's December 2024 debut on Netflix.
Critical reception has been mixed, with reviewers offering a range of perspectives on the film's sentimentality and animation style. While some critics praised its cosy, distinctly British aesthetic and big-hearted nature, others found the narrative familiar or lacking in humor. Despite these varying opinions, the film remains a significant holiday release, blending the classic tropes of Christmas storytelling with a modern, animated approach that attempts to capture the messy reality of family life during the festive season.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: That Christmas
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