That Christmas is a departure from the Hallmark-style Christmas romantic comedies that Netflix released in 2024 since it centres on the lives and hardships of both young and old people in the made-up British town of Wellington-on-Sea around the holidays. But like all the 2024 Netflix Christmas movies that preceded it, it has a happy ending. Love Actually star Richard Curtis co-wrote the animated fantasy comedy. Given that That Christmas shares themes with Love Actually (albeit with a kid-friendly animated universe), Curtis surely draws inspiration from his childhood.
Santa arrives in Wellington-on-Sea on Christmas Eve under a severe blizzard, marking the start of that Christmas. The weather isn’t the only holiday-related issue affecting the small town, as Santa remarks. After that, the film goes back a few days to depict everything that happened before December 24. From twins who adore one other despite being total opposites to a teenager tired of the same old holiday customs, viewers encounter a wide range of personalities. The Netflix Christmas film’s characters go through a lot of highs and lows before having a happy ending on Boxing Day, also known as December 26.
What Befalls Evie at the End of That Christmas
That Christmas, three families from Wellington-on-Sea united to make one large family despite not having any blood ties. Every year, to Bernie’s dismay, the Muljis, Forrests, and McNutts spent the holidays together, and this year was going to be no exception. The younger characters, on the other hand, go crazy and do things (like karaoke, eating pizza, etc.) that they would never do on Christmas if their parents were present when a blizzard separates the kids from the grownups. Unfortunately, when the oldest, Bernie, discovers her much younger sister, Evie, is gone, the holiday fun rapidly takes a turn for the worse.
In the animated movie, the whole community is enlisted to help find Evie during the snowstorm on Christmas night. The blizzard makes it incredibly difficult for the characters in That Christmas to discover the young child, but they all work together to do so. Danny has a brilliant idea when all else appears lost: he, Sam, and Charlie march up to the lighthouse and use the bright light to find Evie.
When the characters in the 2024 Netflix Christmas film spot Evie’s stuffed animal by the shore, the lighthouse helps them find their way. Bernie soon locates Evie in a beach bungalow with the turkeys Charlie had previously set free, feeling terrible for having lost sight of her sister. Evie visits the beach near the end of That Christmas because, in contrast to Bernie, she likes certain of their family’s holiday customs, such as taking a stroll on the sand.
Do the parents bring their children home for Christmas?
That Christmas, their parents become trapped in a blizzard, leaving Bernie, Evie, and the other kids alone on Christmas Eve and for most of Christmas Day. On December 24, the grownups leave town to attend a wedding and intend to come back that evening. But during the blizzard, their vehicle drives off a bridge and becomes stuck. They keep their word and tell their children they won’t be home till the next day using the battery that’s left on their cell phones. By Christmas night, the McNutts, Forrests, and Mrs. Mulji have returned to Wellington-on-Sea.
Despite his good intentions, Mr. McNutt isn’t the most intelligent character in That Christmas. He presents his wife with a brand-new, fully charged cell phone on Christmas morning, which he had been keeping in his car (fondly called Beyonce). They all point out that they could have used it to call for assistance the previous evening. Still, the parents managed to get back to Wellington-on-Sea. Farmer Yirrell is compelled to save the McNutts, Forrests, and Mrs. Mulji after they summon Miss Trapper. Unfortunately, when they discover that Evie is missing in the Netflix film from December 2024, their joy at home is swiftly dashed.
How Santa Assists All Wellington-On-Sea Children
Santa, played by Brian Cox, plays a significant part in the plot of That Christmas even though he doesn’t receive the most screen time. When Santa comes to Wellington-on-Sea on Christmas Eve, he assists all the kids in different ways. When Danny wakes up on Christmas morning, he discovers a four-wheeler in front of his house. Danny is obviously a monster truck enthusiast, a passion he shares with his absentee father. When his father failed to appear on December 24, he became quite agitated. Therefore, Danny’s attitude is definitely lifted by Santa’s gift (until his mother is summoned to work).
In another scene, Santa provides the McNutt, Forrest, and Mulji kids with all they require for a fantastic Christmas. He gives them a director’s hat, whipped cream, a karaoke machine, a blaster gun, a power washer, and more. Santa had to make the difficult choice to give Sam her presents at the Beccles’ residence, but to leave nothing for Charlie because of her “naughtiness.” But Santa puts the gifts on the wrong twin’s bed by mistake. After waking up, Charlie determines what transpired. Charlie’s thoughtful action persuades Santa to come back and give her presents that Christmas after she shifts all the presents to her sister’s bed.
An explanation of Charlie’s actual motivations behind her schemes
Sam is the “anxious” twin while Charlie is the “naughty” twin throughout the Netflix Christmas film. Charlie is still acting recklessly, and Sam spends much of her time worried about the danger her sister gets into. But on Christmas Day, Sam discovers that Charlie’s affection for her is the reason she has been hatching so many plans this holiday season.
| That Christmas Voice Cast | Role |
| Brian Cox | Santa Claus |
| Fiona Shaw | Miss Trapper |
| Jodie Whittaker | Mrs. Williams |
| Bill Nighy | Lighthouse Bill |
| Lolly Adefope | Mrs. McNutt |
| Rhys Darby | Mr. McNutt |
| India Brown | Bernie McNutt |
| Zazie Hayhurst | Sam Beccles |
| Sienna Sayer | Charlie Beccles |
| Jack Wisniewski | Danny Williams |
| Bronte Smith | Evie McNutt |
| Guz Kahn | Dasher |
| Alex Macqueen | Mr. Forrest |
| Katherine Parkinson | Mrs. Forrest |
| Sindhu Vee | Mrs. Mulji |
As Sam discovers when she discovers Charlie’s illustrated strategies for the plan, everything Charlie does throughout that Christmas is a component of her scheme to make Sam happy. During the play, Charlie treads on Nisha’s dress when she harasses Sam. Knowing how much Sam loves that dog and despises the way his owner treats him, she dumps a pile of snow on Mrs. Horton so Buddy can have a cookie. Charlie then releases the turkeys since she is aware of Sam’s deep annoyance at the fact that the creatures are killed for Christmas Day meals.
Why Danny and Miss Trapper Get Together for Christmas
Some people experience a great deal of loneliness and misery over the holidays, as is undoubtedly the case for Miss Trapper and Danny in That Christmas. Danny’s father is absent when his son most needs him, while Miss Trapper’s husband passed away a long time ago. Since Miss Trapper also feels lonely over the holidays, Danny chooses to visit her while his mother needs to work on Christmas.
Miss Trapper is stern with Danny at the start of the cosy Netflix holiday film. But as That Christmas progresses, Danny (as well as the audience) discovers that the teacher is far more complex than first appears. It turns out that Danny and Miss Trapper share a lot of similarities. As such, they are the ideal couple in the movie.
Does Danny express his feelings for her to Sam?
That Christmas features a love story between Danny and Sam, which is a must for any decent holiday film. Throughout the entire movie, Danny’s crush on Sam is evident. Until viewers discover that Charlie’s plan to make her twin sister happy includes matching Sam with Danny, it’s unclear whether Sam feels the same way.
Danny asks Sam to get some wine gums with him, but he never says out loud that he feels something for her. Additionally, during the customary Boxing Day swim, the two young protagonists plunge into the chilly waters together. At the end of That Christmas, Danny and Sam even come close to sharing a kiss before being knocked down by a wave.
The True Significance of the End of That Christmas
Throughout its narrative, Richard Curtis’ holiday animated film That Christmas examines a number of topics, including community, loneliness, love, friendship, family, development, and adaptation. The beach finale is so joyous and jubilant because it’s so heartfelt. Indeed, the film examines the struggles that many people encounter around the holidays, which is why some people may find it moving. But that Christmas was always supposed to end happily, with love, gratitude, and optimism. That Christmas’s true significance can be summed up in Curtis’ words from Netflix’s Tudum.
