Spoiler alert: The following article contains spoilers from That Christmas on Netflix.
Netflix has put out its fair share of Hallmark-style Christmas rom-coms in 2024, butThat Christmasis a change in direction as itrevolves around the lives and struggles of young and older individuals in the fictional British town of Wellington-on-Sea during the holidays.However, it features a happy ending, like all the 2024 Netflix Christmas films that came before it. The animated fantasy comedy is co-written by Richard Curtis ofLove Actuallyfame.Curtis undoubtedly channels his roots inThat Christmasas it contains similar themes toLove Actually(just inserted into an animated world geared towards kids).
Aside fromThat Christmas, other Netflix original Christmas movies debuting in 2024 includeMeet Me Next Christmas, Hot Frosty, The Merry Gentlemen,andOur Little Secret.
That Christmasbegins with Santa’s arrival in Wellington-on-Sea on Christmas Eve during a fierce blizzard. As Santa comments, the snowstorm isn’t the only thing plaguing the small town during the holidays. The movie then flashes back a few days and shows all the events leading up to December 24. Viewers meet a plethora of characters, from twins who love one another deeply but are complete opposites to a teenager fed up with the same old holiday traditions. Throughout theNetflix Christmas movie,theThat Christmascharacters experience many highs and lows, culminating in a happy ending on Boxing Day (aka December 26).
What Happens To Evie In That Christmas' Ending
Evie Goes Missing
Although they aren’t blood-related, three families in Wellington-on-Sea have come together to form one big family inThat Christmas. The McNutts, Forrests, and Muljis spend the holidays together every year, and this year was going to be no different (much to Bernie’s dismay). However, when a blizzard separates the children from the adults, the younger characters go wild and do things (like karaoke, eating pizza, etc.) they would never do on Christmas if their parents were around. Unfortunately,the holiday fun turns sour quickly when the oldest, Bernie, notices her much younger sister, Evie, is missing.
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The entire town gets recruited to search for Evie in the snowstorm on Christmas night in the animated film.Every character inThat Christmascomes together to find the young girl,but the blizzard makes it quite difficult. When everything seems hopeless, Danny thinks of a great idea — he, Sam, and Charlie march up to the lighthouse and use the large light to spot Evie.
Unlike Bernie, Evie enjoys some of their family’s holiday traditions, like going for a walk on the beach, which is why she goes there duringThat Christmas' ending.
The lighthouse points the characters in the right direction when they see Evie’s stuffed animal near the beach inthe 2024 Netflix holiday movie. Bernie, who feels completely awful for losing track of her sister, eventuallyfinds Evie in a beach hut surrounded by the turkeys Charlie previously freed.Unlike Bernie, Evie enjoys some of their family’s holiday traditions, like going for a walk on the beach, which is why she goes there duringThat Christmas' ending.
Do The Parents Get Home To Their Kids On Christmas?
A Blizzard Delays The Parents' Arrival
Bernie, Evie, and the other children are left alone on Christmas Eve and most of Christmas Day when their parents get stuck in a blizzard inThat Christmas. The adults head out of town to attend a wedding on December 24 and plan to return that night. However, their van gets stuck after driving off a bridge during the blizzard. They use their remaining cell phone battery to inform their kids they won’t be home until the next day, and they keep their promise.The McNutts, Forrests, and Mrs. Mulji eventually find their way back to Wellington-on-Seaby Christmas night.
Mr. McNutt, who means well, isn’t the brightest character inThat Christmas. On Christmas morning, he gives his wife the gift he had been keeping in his car (affectionately named Beyonce) — a new, charged cell phone. They could have used it the night before to call for help, as they all point out. Nevertheless, the parents found a way to return to Wellington-on-Sea. They callMiss Trapper, who forces Farmer Yirrell to rescue the McNutts, Forrests, and Mrs. Mulji.Unfortunately, their happiness upon arriving home is quickly squashed when they learn Evie is missing in theDecember 2024 Netflix movie.
How Santa Helps Every Child In Wellington-On-Sea
Each Young Character Has A Problem In That Christmas
AlthoughBrian Cox’s Santa certainly doesn’t get the most screen time inThat Christmas, he has an important role in the story. Santa helps all the children in more ways than one when he visits Wellington-on-Sea on Christmas Eve. Danny, who is evidently into monster trucks (a passion he shares with his absentee father), wakes up on Christmas morning to find a four-wheeler in front of his house. He was quite upset when his father didn’t show up on December 24. So,Santa’s present to Danny certainly brightens his mood(until his mother gets called into work).
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Elsewhere,Santa gives the McNutt, Forrest, and Mulji children all the tools they need to have a wonderful Christmas.He gifts them a blaster gun, a power washer, a karaoke machine, whipped cream, a director’s hat, and more. At the Beccles home, Santa makes the tough decision to give Sam her gifts but not leave anything for Charlie due to her “naughtiness.” However, Santa accidentally places the presents on the wrong twin’s bed. Charlie wakes up and deduces what happened. She moves all the gifts to her sister’s bed, and Charlie’s kind gesture convinces Santa to return and give her presents inThat Christmas.
Charlie’s True Intentions Behind Her Schemes Explained
Charlie’s Operation Revolves Around Her Sister
Throughoutthe Netflix Christmas movie,Charlie is deemed the “naughty” twin, while Sam is the “anxious” one.Sam spends most of her time worrying about the trouble her sister gets in, while Charlie is as reckless as ever. However, on Christmas Day, Sam learns why Charlie plotted so many schemes this holiday season — it’s because she loves her.
Sindhu Vee
Mrs. Mulji
Everything that Charlie does over the course ofThat Christmasis a part of her plan to make Sam happy(as Sam learns when finding Charlie’s illustrated tactics for the plan). Charlie steps on Nisha’s dress during the play because Nisha bullies Sam. She drops a mound of snow on Mrs. Horton so that Buddy can get a cookie because she knows how much Sam loves that dog and hates how his owner treats him. Then, Charlie frees the turkeys because she knows that the fact that the animals are killed for Christmas Day dinners greatly bothers Sam.
Why Miss Trapper & Danny Come Together On Christmas
Miss Trapper & Danny Are Both Alone
With the holidays comes a lot of sadness and loneliness for some,which is certainly the case for Miss Trapper and Danny inThat Christmas. Miss Trapper’s husband died a long time ago, and Danny’s father fails to show up when his son needs him the most. So, when Danny’s mother has to work on Christmas, he decides to visit Miss Trapper, as she also feels lonely this holiday season.
Miss Trapper helps Danny appreciate his mother and all she does for him after he lashes out at her for working on Christmas. Together, they build a snow fort for Danny and his mother to have Christmas dinner when she returns home.
At the beginning ofthe cozy Netflix holiday movie, Miss Trapper is rather strict with Danny. However, asThat Christmasgoes on, Danny (and the audience) learns that there is much more to the teacher than meets the eye. As it turns out,Miss Trapper and Danny have a lot in common.Consequently, they make the perfect pair in the film.
Does Danny Tell Sam How He Feels About Her?
Danny Has A Big Crush On Sam
Every goodholiday movie has to have a love story, and inThat Christmas, it’s between Danny and Sam. Danny has an obvious crush on Sam throughout the film. It’s unclear if Sam reciprocates his feelings until viewers learn thatmatchmaking Sam with Danny is a part of Charlie’s plan to make her twin sister happy.
While Danny never vocally expresses his feelings for Sam, he does ask her to get some wine gums with him. Plus, the two young characters run into the cold waters together during the traditional Boxing Day swim.Danny and Sam even almost kiss at the end ofThat Christmas,but a wave knocks them down.
The Real Meaning Behind That Christmas' Ending
That Christmas Ends On A Happy Note
Richard Curtis' holiday animation movieThat Christmasexplores themes of family, love, friendship, loneliness, community, growth, adaption, and much more throughout its story. It’s quite sentimental, which is whythe ending on the beach is so celebratory and joyful.Yes, the movie explores the hardships many face during the holidays, which is why it can be a tearjerker for some. However,That Christmaswas always meant to have a happy ending full of hope, love, and appreciation. The real meaning behindThat Christmas' ending can be summed up by Curtis' quote fromTudum by Netflix. The filmmaker said:
“I hope [That Christmas will] remind people of the joy and complexity of Christmas, and some of the joys and comedy and heartbreak of childhood.”
That Christmas
Cast
That Christmas, directed by Simon Otto, weaves a series of interconnected stories exploring themes of love, loneliness, and family. The narrative unfolds with Santa Claus making a significant error, amidst a backdrop of numerous turkeys, capturing the essence of holiday spirit and relationships.
