From Christian Broadcasting Network:
Netflix’s new animated Christmas movie, That Christmas, aimed at families, is drawing criticism for a controversial scene that parodies the biblical nativity story. Despite its festive premise, one moment in the film has left many viewers questioning its appropriateness for the holiday season.
The movie marks renowned director Richard Curtis’ return to Christmas storytelling since his beloved 2003 romantic comedy, Love Actually. Known for his sharp wit and heartfelt narratives, Curtis takes a more irreverent approach in That Christmas, leading to a scene that has sparked significant backlash.
According to Netflix’s synopsis, the film tells the story of Wellington-on-Sea, a fictional British seaside town experiencing “the worst snowstorm in history.” Against this backdrop, a group of children, led by rebellious teenager Bernadette, navigate their way through an unforgettable Christmas adventure.
The main character, Bernadette, introduces the play with an irreverent description of Jesus, referring to Him as “a cool dude” with long hair, a beard, and a love for woodwork—essentially “a hipster.” She then addresses the audience, claiming, “He wouldn’t have wanted us to do the same boring Christmas story year after year. He’d want a strictly vegetarian, multicultural fun fest with lots of pop songs and stuff about climate change.”
The production includes shepherds herding vegetables instead of sheep and replaces the biblical wise men with three wise women. However, the most controversial moment occurs when the girl playing Mary performs Madonna’s 1986 hit Papa Don’t Preach, a song about grappling with an unplanned pregnancy. The scene reaches its climax as the young actress cradles a watermelon carved to represent baby Jesus, only for it to fall and smash onto the audience below.
While the scene is intended to inject humour and a contemporary twist, critics argue it trivialises a sacred story central to Christian faith. Many have taken to social media to voice their disappointment, accusing the film of undermining the true meaning of Christmas. As the debate continues, That Christmas raises larger questions about the balance between creativity and respect in reimagining traditional stories. Whether intended as harmless fun or a satirical critique, the scene has undoubtedly sparked conversations about the boundaries of humour in holiday entertainment.
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