Common Sense Media Review
By Stefan Pape
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Festive fantasy drama has drinking, addiction, language.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 12+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Last Train to Christmas
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
LAST TRAIN TO CHRISTMAS follows local celebrity and nightclub manager Tony Towers (Michael Sheen) and girlfriend Sue (Nathalie Emmanuel) as they take a very unusual train journey one Christmas Eve. As Tony moves between train carriages, he finds himself traveling through time to different periods in his life.
Is It Any Good?
This British Christmas fantasy movie is a peculiar film in many ways. Last Train to Christmas is not exactly a film to get you into the Christmas spirit as such. But it is weirdly Christmassy -- think A Christmas Carol on wheels. Its time traveling train provides a unique and very clever way of exploring the life of central character Tony, and what transpires is a rather profound and moving production. The period dressing is remarkable too. You get a real feel for each of the different eras depicted. However, the make-up is not as impressive, as the different ages of the characters are not subtle enough, taking you momentarily out of the story.
Sheen is, as expected, wonderful in the leading role, bringing much empathy to the character of Tony, who is certainly a flawed individual. But narratively there is a little to be desired, and while this is a great concept it's not executed quite deftly enough. That said, Last Train to Christmas still has more than enough about it to make it a film worth seeing over the festive period.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Last Train to Christmas depicted drinking. Why do some of the characters drink so much? What are the results of this drinking? What consequences are?
Discuss the language used. Did it seem necessary or excessive? What did it contribute to the movie?
What did the film have to say about the notion of regrets? What did Tony learn about himself?
How did this movie compare to other Christmas movies? What were the main differences and similarities? What's your favorite festive film?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : December 18, 2021
- Cast : Michael Sheen , Nathalie Emmanuel , Cary Elwes
- Director : Julian Kemp
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Sky Cinema
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Transportation ( Trains )
- Run time : 103 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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