“An Almost Christmas Story” tells the heartwarming story of two lost children from different worlds, who find a new meaning in Christmas. 

Narrated by the talented John C. Riley, “An Almost Christmas Story”  follows a young but overzealous owl named Moon (Cary Christopher) as he navigates the unknowns of New York trying to find his family. Along the way, he meets a kindred soul in human girl Luna (Estella Madrigal) as she struggles to find her way home in the Christmas chaos. 

One of the first things that needs to be discussed with this short film is the beautiful art that tells the story.  “An Almost Christmas Story”  is minimalist with its background, relying on cardboard textures to build the town and people, but it executes it in a way that’s important to the story.  This style showcases to the viewer what is really important to the two children and who is inside the world they’ve created. 

The characters themselves resemble wooden dolls, creating a warm and timeless feeling when observing them. The audience can often find themselves getting so lost in the actual character design that it’s hard to pay attention to the surroundings.  

The story is equally as beautiful as the art. Crafting a 25 minute long tear-jerking story seems like a daunting task, but writer and director David Lowery is up for the challenge. Lowery forges a tale of realistic family dynamics while showcasing the challenges of standing out. 

Lowery writes Moon and Luna to be perfect parallels with one another, creating a sense of dependence as the two desperately need to be able to get home. While there is a communication challenge between the two, human and owl, Lowery doesn’t let that deter him.  He presents that friendship can transcend communication barriers.  

The short film doesn’t come without its gripes, however. While Lowery jams an incredible amount of plot and character in 25 minutes, there were times the film would rush itself. Plot points would be introduced yet forgotten not even moments later, which would often pull viewers out of the “Christmas snowglobe feel.” 

David Lowery has crafted a new feeling into Christmas movies that hasn’t truly ever been seen.  He illustrates that even those who don’t celebrate Christmas are deserving of the same kindness and cheerfulness that fills the world during the festive season. 

“An Almost Christmas Story” released Nov. 15 on Disney+.