Washington: Netflix’s animated Christmas movie That Christmas, which premiered on December 4, has sparked a wave of controversy for its portrayal of the Nativity story. Based on a children’s book series by Richard Curtis, the director of Love Actually, the film has drawn criticism for both its dialogue and visual representation, including the inclusion of a song by pop icon Madonna, who has previously made controversial statements about Jesus Christ supporting abortion.
The film opens with a provocative scene in which a group of school children, led by a teenager named Bernadette, reenact the birth of Jesus, claiming they are "rewriting" the traditional Nativity story. According to reports from Christian media, the portrayal of the Nativity is filled with irreverence, with Jesus being referred to as a "cool dude." The scene is described as trivializing the true message of Christmas.
The movie also takes aim at Jesus’ role as a reformer, poking fun at his appearance with remarks about his beard and long hair. Bernadette asks the audience whether Jesus would really want to retell the same "boring" Christmas story year after year, suggesting instead that he would prefer a multicultural celebration filled with pop songs and discussions on topics like climate change. The film further alters the biblical narrative by depicting the shepherds not as shepherds, but as vegetable farmers, and reimagines the three wise men as women rather than men.
Another point of controversy is the character of the Virgin Mary, who, in the film, sings about her pregnancy—a direct reference to Madonna’s 1986 song "Don't Teach Me, Pope." The film’s mocking tone has led to widespread backlash, with many condemning it for disrespecting the sacred origins of Christmas. Mary-Logan Miske, the formation coordinator for the Southeast campus of Students for Life of America, expressed her outrage on social media, stating that the film had crossed a line in mocking the Nativity. Allen Mashburn, founder of Blaze Media, questioned why parents continue to support Netflix in light of the film and warned that there may be a deeper agenda behind its content.
Despite the uproar, Netflix has yet to issue a public response. Madonna, known for her long-standing support of abortion rights and her history of anti-Christian themes in her music, is credited with contributing to the film’s soundtrack. In 2019, Madonna openly called for the Catholic Church to change its stance on abortion during an appearance on an Australian talk show.