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Christmess

Play trailer 1:51 Poster for Christmess 2023 1h 39m Comedy Holiday Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 6 Reviews 65% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
A once famous actor is now performing as Santa Claus in a mall because of his alcohol addiction. After accidentally meeting his estranged daughter he seeks help for his recovery in order to win his daughter's forgiveness.

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Christmess

Critics Reviews

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Stephen Romei The Australian 12/16/2023
3.5/5
If you are looking for a different Christmas movie, this sad sack Santa will deliver. Go to Full Review
Graeme Tuckett The Post NZ 01/05/2024
4/5
Christmess occasionally betrays its tiny budget and tight schedule, but this film feels like it occupies a genuine, lived-in space, populated by people who have a life outside of the screen. Go to Full Review
Cris Kennedy The Canberra Times (Australia) 12/20/2023
4/5
Sydney filmmaker Heath Davis presents this dark comedy-drama as something of an antidote to those photogenic coupled-up saccharine Christmas rom-coms that fill up our streaming services at this time of year. Go to Full Review
Cain Noble-Davies FILMINK (Australia) 12/12/2023
15/20
… a solid holiday character piece with a lot of heart and an appreciable lack of artifice. Go to Full Review
Simon Foster Screen-Space (Substack) 12/12/2023
4/5
For an auteur whose trajectory as a character-driven storyteller continues to rise, Heath Davis understands the voice of the fallen everyman with remarkable insight. Go to Full Review
Nadine Whitney The Curb 12/12/2023
Heath Davis has not only made one of the best Australian films about Christmas, he’s made one of the best films about Christmas in recent cinema. Christmess is the major miracle independent Australian cinema needs. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Vineel P @NeeliVanilie Dec 13 I question if other reviewers watched the same movie or were blinded by pride from a rare Christmas Aussie movie. Christmess was a genuine disappointment. It was hampered by an undeniably low-budget feel and inconsistent and poor acting. The movie was bogged down by long, bland periods with no significant plot movement, making the overall experience feel dull and protracted. While I appreciate the message it is attempting to portray, it simply failed to deliver. See more Paul G @Felixthecat308 Dec 10 Authentic, honest, raw. The pain that some go through during Christmas is for all to see. Need more of these types of flicks. Loved it. See more Craig M 12/23/2023 If you are looking for a feel good Christmas movie that gives you a sense of hope and optimism for the future, then this is not it. Scroll on. However, if you want a gritty masterpiece that tells it like it is in a matter-of-fact Australian laconic manner with a good touch of dry, dark humour , then this is the movie of 2023 that you need to watch. Filled with flawed, but likeable complex characters, this is the film that will make you remember that Christmas is far more that tinsel, happy families and abundance. See more Paul M 12/22/2023 Great film! not quite what I expected but well worth a watch, great characters and lots of heart. Darren Gilshenan was exceptional. See more Bruce R 12/21/2023 Really simple, special film with a fresh take on the emotional experience of Christmas for so many people. Fractured families dealing with the hurt of abandonment and addiction and the need for forgiveness. Give it a go! See more Libby H 12/18/2023 Actually amazing. I really cared about the characters, and as the movie went on, I grew MORE invested, not less (which doesn't always happen these days, as we're so used so quick videos). I thought the script was the greatest strength. I adore the Aussie subtlety. The three main characters' chemistry was fantastic. It's Aussie suburban Christmas nostalgia but it genuinely stings. It is not in the least saccharine. I know I'm going to watch this movie again and again. It has Little Fish vibes. See more Read all reviews
Christmess

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Movie Info

Synopsis A once famous actor is now performing as Santa Claus in a mall because of his alcohol addiction. After accidentally meeting his estranged daughter he seeks help for his recovery in order to win his daughter's forgiveness.
Director
Heath Davis
Producer
Daniel Fenech, Rick Beecrof, Heath Davis, Nicola Nossal
Screenwriter
Heath Davis
Production Co
Crash House Productions, Brick Studios
Genre
Comedy, Holiday
Original Language
English
Runtime
1h 39m
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