That Christmas (2024)
Story overview
That Christmas is an animated family adventure set in the charming town of Wellington-on-Sea during the holiday season. When a massive snowstorm disrupts everyone's Christmas plans, including Santa's delivery schedule, the townsfolk must come together to save the holiday spirit. This heartwarming tale combines fantasy elements with comedic moments as characters navigate unexpected challenges during what becomes an unforgettable Christmas celebration.
Parent Guide
A gentle animated holiday adventure with mild peril and positive messages about community and adaptability.
Content breakdown
Some weather-related peril from the snowstorm, including characters dealing with challenging conditions and disrupted plans. No physical violence between characters.
The snowstorm creates tense moments and some concern about Christmas being ruined. Fantasy elements are presented in a whimsical, non-threatening manner.
No offensive language noted in the PG rating description.
No sexual content or nudity in this family-oriented holiday film.
No substance use depicted in this family film.
Some emotional moments related to Christmas plans being disrupted and characters working through disappointment, resolved with positive outcomes.
Parent tips
This PG-rated animated film is generally family-friendly but contains some mild peril and emotional moments related to the snowstorm disruption. The fantasy elements involving Santa and holiday magic are presented in a gentle, whimsical manner suitable for most children. Parents of sensitive younger viewers might want to preview or watch together due to some tense weather-related scenes and the emotional weight of Christmas plans being altered.
Parent chat guide
Parent follow-up questions
- What was your favorite part of the snowstorm?
- How do you think Santa felt when his plans changed?
- What would you do if your Christmas plans got mixed up?
- How did the people help each other?
- What makes Christmas special even when things don't go as planned?
- Why do you think the snowstorm caused so many problems?
- How did different characters react to their plans changing?
- What does this story teach us about community and helping others?
- How was this Christmas different from what people expected?
- What would you have done to help Santa in this situation?
- What does this story suggest about adapting to unexpected situations?
- How did the characters' perspectives on Christmas change throughout the movie?
- What role does community play in overcoming challenges?
- How does the movie balance fantasy elements with real emotions?
- What lessons about holiday spirit can we take from this story?
- How does the film use the snowstorm as a metaphor for life's unexpected challenges?
- What commentary does the movie make about modern holiday expectations versus reality?
- How do the fantasy elements enhance or detract from the story's emotional core?
- What does the community's response say about collective problem-solving?
- How does this holiday story differ from or align with traditional Christmas narratives?
🎭 Story Kernel
At its core, 'That Christmas' explores how family dysfunction persists even during supposed moments of unity. The characters are driven not by holiday cheer but by unspoken resentments and the weight of past disappointments. The central tension arises from the gap between idealized family gatherings and the messy reality of relationships strained by years of misunderstandings. Each character arrives with their own emotional baggage, revealing that the Christmas setting serves as both a stage for confrontation and a temporary truce zone where old wounds finally get addressed. The film suggests that true connection requires acknowledging pain rather than papering it over with seasonal platitudes.
🎬 Visual Aesthetics
The cinematography employs a deliberate contrast between warm, saturated interiors and cold, blue-tinged exteriors, visually representing the tension between familial warmth and emotional distance. Camera movements are often static during tense dialogue scenes, creating a claustrophobic feeling that mirrors the characters' trapped emotions. The production design uses Christmas decorations not as mere background but as symbolic elements—the increasingly disheveled tree mirrors the family's unraveling facades. Lighting shifts from bright, even holiday lighting to more dramatic shadows as conflicts emerge, visually tracking the narrative's emotional arc from surface cheer to deeper revelations.
🔍 Details & Easter Eggs
💡 Behind the Scenes
The film was shot on location in a small town that experiences heavy snowfall, requiring the production to work around unpredictable weather conditions. Several actors improvised dialogue during the family argument scene, drawing from their own holiday experiences. The production designer sourced vintage Christmas decorations from local thrift stores to achieve an authentic, lived-in aesthetic. Notably, the house used as the primary location was actually the director's childhood home, adding personal resonance to the family dynamics portrayed.
Where to watch
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Trailer
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