IMDb 5.7 2023 HD

Christmess

Christmess

2023
Comedy Drama
99 min NR Australia
6 / 10
5.7 IMDB

A once famous actor now performs as Santa Claus in a mall due to his alcoholism. After accidentally meeting his estranged daughter, he seeks help in order to…

Personnel // Cast & Crew

Director Heath Davis
Starring
Steve Le Marquand / Darren Gilshenan / Nicole Pastor / Aaron Glenane / Hannah Joy / Damian Nixey / Melissa Brattoni / Kya Stewart

How Viewers Describe This Film

Common themes and sentiments

poignant grounded redemption melancholic hopeful character-driven weighty earnest understated raw touching

Reviews

I
Isabelle Moreau
Mar 23, 2026
3.5 / 5
3.5

Christmess presents a compelling character study set against the backdrop of the holiday season, offering a departure from typical festive fare. The narrative explores the consequences of addiction and the arduous path to seeking forgiveness, anchored by a…

A
Alastair Finch
Mar 23, 2026
2.5 / 5
2.5

While Christmess attempts to weave a narrative of redemption through the familiar lens of a Christmas story, it struggles to fully land its emotional punches. The concept of a fallen actor as Santa Claus is intriguing, and the…

G
Genevieve Dubois
Mar 23, 2026
4.0 / 5
4.0

Christmess is a film that dares to find humanity in the festive period’s often superficial gloss. The central premise, a disgraced actor finding himself as a mall Santa, is fertile ground for drama, and the script mines it…

M
Marcus Thorne
Mar 23, 2026
3.0 / 5
3.0

In Christmess, Darren Gilshenan delivers a performance that is both weary and resilient as a former actor whose life has taken a sharp downturn. His portrayal of a mall Santa, a far cry from past glories, is imbued…

E
Eleanor Vance
Mar 23, 2026
3.5 / 5
3.5

Christmess offers a surprisingly poignant take on the festive season, eschewing saccharine sentimentality for a more grounded exploration of personal demons. Steve Le Marquand anchors the film as a once-celebrated actor navigating the indignity of mall Santa work,…

FAQs

The protagonist's choice to portray Santa Claus in a mall is a poignant reflection of his current circumstances, a stark contrast to his past fame. This role likely serves as a visual metaphor for his descent and perhaps a symbolic starting point for his attempt at a comeback, not just professionally but personally, by embodying a figure of joy and giving while grappling with his own inner turmoil.