Almost Christmas

Almost Christmas

Year: 2016

Runtime: 111 min

Language: English

Director: David E. Talbert

Budget: $17M

DramaComedy

Following the loss of his wife, retired mechanic Walter Meyer tries to rekindle the holiday spirit by bringing his grown children together for Christmas. As they gather, long-standing family tensions and new conflicts surface, threatening to derail the celebration. Walter must navigate these challenges and find a way to bridge the divides, hoping to restore peace and joy before the holiday is ruined.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Almost Christmas yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – Almost Christmas (2016)

Trace every key event in Almost Christmas (2016) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Walter and Grace's Love Story

In the 1970s, Walter and Grace Meyers fall deeply in love. Their relationship blossoms as they marry and go on to raise four wonderful children together.

1970s
2

Grace's Passing

In 2016, tragedy strikes the Meyers family as Grace passes away. Walter is left to navigate life alone while his adult children have moved out, creating an emotional void in his heart.

2016
3

Preparing for Christmas

Ten months after Grace's death, Walter prepares to celebrate Christmas, just five days away. He takes this time to reconnect with his children, reflecting on their past and the family bond.

December 2016
4

Walter's Volunteer Work

In honor of Grace's legacy, Walter begins volunteering at a local homeless shelter. He strives to replicate her famous sweet potato pie but finds himself struggling in the kitchen.

Homeless Shelter
5

Family Reunion

As the festivities approach, Walter's sister-in-law, May, arrives to support him and bring the family together. The stage is set for a reunion filled with both joy and tension.

6

Sibling Tensions Surface

Christian arrives with his campaign manager, along with Rachel and her daughter, Niya. Old tensions resurface among the siblings as they engage in animated discussions about May's cooking.

Days before Christmas
7

Evan's Emotional Struggles

Evan's emotional turmoil becomes apparent as he grapples with their mother's absence. His struggle with his feelings is compounded during the family gatherings leading to unhappiness.

8

Dark Turn of Events

As Christmas approaches, moments of joy are overshadowed by Evan's issues with prescription pills. A football game reveals Lonnie's reckless nature, escalating disagreements within the family.

9

Christian's Ethical Dilemma

Complications arise in Christian's congressional campaign when community re-zoning affects the local homeless shelter. Walter confronts him, stressing the importance of their family values.

10

Rachel and Malachi's Encounter

Rachel's interactions with Malachi grow more intense, culminating in a passionate kiss. This moment highlights unresolved feelings from their past amidst the family's holiday chaos.

11

Recipe Discovery

While attempting to recreate Grace's cherished recipes, the sisters grow closer and bond over their shared memories. They stumble upon a box of treasured family recipes, deepening their connection.

12

Christmas Day Secrets

On Christmas Day, the family gathers, but tensions rise when Rachel accidentally invites Jasmine, Lonnie's lover. The ensuing chaos leads to confrontations and deeply buried secrets being revealed.

Christmas Day
13

Evan's Hospitalization

The dramatic events culminate in the tragic news of Evan's hospitalization due to an accident related to his medication. This crisis prompts the family to reflect on their struggles and vulnerabilities.

Hospital
14

Commitment to Community

Following the storms of tension and crises, Walter and Christian renew their commitment to community service. This decision marks a turning point, emphasizing the importance of helping others.

15

A Hopeful Conclusion

The film concludes with the family finding solace in each other as they honor Grace's memory. Walter successfully replicates her sweet potato pie, leading to a first joyful celebration of Christmas without her.

Christmas

Last Updated: November 08, 2024 at 16:24

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Dysfunctional Family Holiday Movies like Almost Christmas

Holiday gatherings force fractured families to confront their past and present.If you enjoyed the chaotic yet heartfelt family dynamics of Almost Christmas, explore more movies like it. This list features similar dramedies where holiday gatherings become a catalyst for confronting dysfunction, grief, and long-buried secrets, all while searching for a glimmer of hope and unity.

dysfunctionalfamilialheartfeltconfrontationalhopefulchaoticnostalgicgrieving

Narrative Summary

The narrative typically follows an ensemble cast of family members converging on a single location for a holiday. Multiple subplots involving personal struggles (addiction, career woes, relationship issues) run parallel, colliding during the high-stress environment of the celebration. The story arc moves from chaos and confrontation to a cathartic resolution that reaffirms familial bonds, often centered on honoring a shared memory or tradition.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped by their unique blend of holiday cheer and family tension. They share a bittersweet tone, balancing the sadness of conflict and loss with the hopeful joy of reconciliation. The pacing is steady, moving between comedic mishaps and dramatic reveals, creating a relatable and emotionally resonant experience.

Movies about Emotional Reunions like Almost Christmas

A gathering of old friends or family unearths grief and reignites bonds.Fans of Almost Christmas will appreciate these similar stories centered on emotional reunions. These films explore how gatherings after a loss or long separation bring buried tensions to light, leading to heartfelt drama and a poignant journey toward understanding and forgiveness among an ensemble cast.

heartfeltgrievingnostalgicfamilialhopefulconfrontationaldysfunctionalemotional

Narrative Summary

The narrative structure is built around a central gathering that serves as the story's anchor point. Characters arrive carrying their own baggage and subplots. The primary conflict is internal and relational, as past hurts and present challenges are aired. The journey is one of collective catharsis, moving from a state of fracture to a hard-won sense of closure and renewed commitment to the group.

Why These Movies?

These films share a specific mood: a blend of sadness and hope. They are characterized by a medium emotional weight, a steady pacing that allows for character development, and a tone that acknowledges pain while striving for healing. The experience is about watching flawed, relatable people navigate the difficult but necessary process of coming together.

Unlock the Full Story of Almost Christmas

Don't stop at just watching — explore Almost Christmas in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Almost Christmas is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Almost Christmas Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Almost Christmas, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Almost Christmas Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Almost Christmas

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Almost Christmas. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Almost Christmas

Almost Christmas Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Almost Christmas that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Almost Christmas Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Almost Christmas

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Almost Christmas: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Almost Christmas