A Boy Called Christmas

Movie Details:

Cast & Characters:

• Henry Lawfull as Nikolas a.k.a. “Christmas”, a young boy who would go on the path to becoming Santa Claus.
• Toby Jones as Father Topo, an Elfheim elf who finds Nikolas.
• Sally Hawkins as Mother Vodol, the ruler of Elfheim who has enforced its rules in light of an encounter with bad humans.
• Kristen Wiig as Aunt Carlotta, the unpleasant aunt of Nikolas.
• Michiel Huisman as Joel, a woodcutter who is Nikolas’ father and Carlotta’s brother
• Zoe Colletti as the Truth Pixie, a pixie who can only speak the truth.
  • Maggie Smith as Aunt Ruth, the mortal form of the Truth Pixie who narrates the story despite having to stop to answer her great-niece and great-nephews’ questions.
• Stephen Merchant as the voice of Miika, a mouse who Nikolas raised after convincing his father to spare it.
• Jim Broadbent as the King, the unnamed ruler of the unnamed kingdom that Nikolas lives in.
• Indica Watson as Little Noosh, a young elf girl who is often in the company of Father Topo.
• Joel Fry as Matt, the widowed father of Andrea, Patrick and Moppet and the nephew of Ruth.
• Isabella O’Sullivan as Andrea, the daughter of Matt and great-niece of Ruth.
• Eden Lawrence as Patrick, the son of Matt and the great-nephew of Ruth.
• Ayomide Garrick as Moppet, the son of Matt and the great-nephew of Ruth.
• Rishi Kuppa as Little Kip, an elf who is captured.
• Rune Temte as Anders, a hunter
• Trish Osmond as an unnamed elderly goose lady whom Nikolas briefly encounters in his journey who claims that he won’t find what he is looking for. Near the end, we notice that she has a granddaughter.
• Peter Hosking as an Additional Elf

Storyline:

In this origin story of Father Christmas, an ordinary boy–with a loyal pet mouse and a reindeer at his side–sets out on an extraordinary adventure to find his father, who is on a quest to discover the fabled village of Elfhelm.

About A Boy Called Christmas Movie:

A Boy Called Christmas is a British Christmas fantasy film directed by Gil Kenan, based on the 2015 book of the same name by Matt Haig. The film features a screenplay co-written by Kenan and Ol Parker and stars Henry Lawfull, Toby Jones, Sally Hawkins, Kristen Wiig, Michiel Huisman, Zoe Colletti, Stephen Merchant, Jim Broadbent, and Maggie Smith.

Plot Summary

The story unfolds on Christmas Eve, where Aunt Ruth (Maggie Smith) is tasked with looking after three children—Andrea, Moppet, and Patrick—who are mourning the recent loss of their mother. To entertain them, Aunt Ruth begins recounting the tale of a young boy named Nikolas (Henry Lawfull), who lives in a remote Finnish forest with his father Joel (Michiel Huisman), a woodcutter.

Nikolas is deeply affected by the death of his mother and often seeks comfort in the stories she used to tell him about a magical place called Elfhelm, inhabited by elves who help those in need. When the King (Jim Broadbent) calls for adventurers to bring hope back to his kingdom, Joel joins a group of hunters in search of Elfhelm. Left under the care of his selfish Aunt Carlotta (Kristen Wiig), Nikolas decides to embark on his own journey to find his father and prove that Elfhelm exists.

Accompanied by his talking mouse friend Miika (voiced by Stephen Merchant), Nikolas faces various challenges as he travels through snowy landscapes. He encounters fantastical creatures, including a reindeer he names Blitzen and a truth-telling pixie. Upon reaching Elfhelm, he discovers that the elves are in distress due to humans who have betrayed their trust.

As Nikolas navigates this magical world, he learns important lessons about kindness and hope. The film culminates in a heartwarming conclusion where Nikolas’s actions lead to the creation of many Christmas traditions we recognize today.

Production Details

The film had its world premiere at Fantastic Fest on September 22, 2016, and was released in various countries on November 26, 2021. It was made available internationally on Netflix on November 24, 2021. The film received positive reviews from critics for its imaginative storytelling and engaging performances.

Reception

Upon release, A Boy Called Christmas was praised for its charming narrative and strong cast performances. It has been recognized as a delightful addition to holiday cinema that captures the spirit of Christmas through its themes of belief and generosity.

Legacy

A Boy Called Christmas stands out as a modern retelling of classic holiday tales, appealing to both children and adults alike. Its blend of fantasy elements with heartfelt messages makes it a suitable choice for family viewing during the festive season.

Budget & Box Office Collection: