Channel 4 has delivered an unexpectedly poignant and peculiar slice of festive viewing with its new film, Finding Father Christmas, which premiered on Wednesday 24 December 2025. The production masterfully blends genres, creating a unique cocktail of conspiracy thriller, grief memoir, and even a dash of science lesson, all wrapped in seasonal cellophane.
A Father's Awkward Revelation Sparks a Quest
The story hinges on one of the most awkward conversations a parent can have. It is not the traditional 'birds and the bees' talk, but something arguably more devastating for a teenager: the truth about Santa Claus. When widowed father, played by James Buckley, confesses to his 16-year-old son Chris that he is behind the presents and the sooty fireplace, the revelation does not land well.
Chris, portrayed by Bafta-winning actor Lenny Rush, reacts with blunt disbelief. "You?" he asks incredulously. "You bring joy and happiness to billions of children all over the world?" Refusing to accept this reality, Chris embarks on a determined mission to prove Santa's existence, setting the film's compelling narrative in motion.
An All-Star Investigation into Festive Logistics
Armed with a clue from a celebrity party photograph, Chris bunkers off school with his cousin Holly, played by Ele McKenzie. Their investigation leads them to a bizarre roster of experts whom Chris believes are part of a vast Christmas cover-up. The film features clever cameos from Stephen Fry, mathematician Hannah Fry, space scientist Maggie Aderin-Pocock, and SAS: Who Dares Wins star Jason Fox.
These appearances are more than simple fan service. They provide hilarious pseudo-scientific explanations for Santa's logistical feats. Fry invokes "macroscopic quantum tunnelling" to explain chimney descents, while Aderin-Pocock references the theoretical Alcubierre drive to rationalise global gift delivery. The quest culminates in a comedic break-in at a secret facility in Milton Keynes, featuring a deadpan turn from Greg Davies as Santa himself.
The Emotional Core: Grief and Belief
What prevents the film from floating entirely into fantasy is the tangible darkness underpinning its whimsy. Chris's mother has died, and this shared grief profoundly colours the relationship between father and son. Like classic seasonal tales such as It's a Wonderful Life, a thread of melancholy runs through the narrative, grounding the more outlandish elements.
Lenny Rush, who won his Bafta for Am I Being Unreasonable?, delivers a finely balanced performance as Chris. He brings infectious optimism without tipping into mawkishness, walking a high-wire act between endearing and insufferable with the confidence of a seasoned professional. Meanwhile, James Buckley sheds his iconic Inbetweeners persona, portraying a bereaved father with pleasing restraint and genuine warmth.
Verdict: Festive Fun with Heart
While the plot occasionally feels saccharine and some comedic beats miss their mark, Finding Father Christmas ultimately finds an appealing balance. It successfully marries whimsy with genuine sentiment. If your threshold for festive schmaltz is reasonably high and you can accept quantum physics being applied to sleigh aerodynamics, this film offers solid family fun. It is a curious, heartwarming blend that may just melt the flintiest of hearts this Christmas.
