Why’s the John Lewis’ Xmas Ad so bloody menacing!

[Purplefoo]

https://www.theguardian.com/media/2025/nov/04/john-lewis-christmas-advert-countdown-90s-club-classic-where-love-lives

I genuinely thought it was about an abusive dad or a murderous son at first! So intense……

Oh I loved it and didn’t find it threatening at all. It’s not their most Christmassy offering but it did make me shed a tear.

It’s better than anything twee. A good ad gets people talking and is a bit divisive. I think it’s a good one, not my favourite ever but strong.

My thoughts exactly. People are overthinking this and misunderstanding. The son knows the dad used to love the clubs so he’s bought him some club music. It’s really not any deeper than that

I think it's really beautiful. However I'm also an ex raver with a teenage son so it definitely hit a nerve!

Huh. That wasn't at all clear to me, but okay.

Ooooh. That makes more sense. I thought the dad was dead 😂

Our eldest will be a teenager very soon, you can feel the "child" slipping away and it's quite the end of an era.

The advert made me cry! Didn't expect it to but it did.

Agree it's not very Christmassy but it is certainly evocative.

Disagree
The father looks petulant and moody
The son looks desperate to please him and treading on egg shells

Parents should be available and loving even if teens are disconnected
They are the adults

Yes! I love it. As a parent of a boy I totally get the difficulty in connecting with a teen at times . I think the ad has captured this beautifully- the awkwardness ,the hidden emotions and the little boy inside who really wants that hug and to connect with his dad .

Same. I watched most of it wondering what on earth JL were thinking, as it was so dark and depressing. Then I watched the rest of it with tears running down my cheeks.

I thought son was annoyed because dad forgot to open his present - weird present giving, mum clearing up and dad sat alone, son and daughter sharing meaningful glances… and then when the music stopped I thought the son had died.
Weird. Nice he had a moment to remember his son but is it meant to be a shared love of vinyl?
Lost on me.

Well then you’re probably not a shops target market if you actively dislike the period they’re trying to sell at you for!

It's a father and a son connecting and 'seeing' one another.

We all want to feel seen.

It's a realistic snapshot of a lot of families and their struggles to understand one another as children grow and parents age.

This could not be further from how I saw it! That teenager is acting exactly as many teens do around their parents.

Nah, I like ads - I work in the field.

I like the idea and appreciate the lack of a breathy cover but the execution seems a little off. Why does the sister look so terrified at the beginning?!

Same! I was for sure the son had died and popped it under the tree before his passing.

Personally thought it was brilliant. First half summed up for me the experience of Christmas with teens, the detachment, the loss of excitement and magic. Then showing that one thoughtful gift can remind you of the love and connection.

I quite liked it! I think they over did the awkward teen part a bit which made him look scared instead of surly at one point, but the flash back to him being a toddler and baby made me well up (I'm ridiculously soft though!).

The dad looks terrifying, like an abusive rageful man they’re all terrified of ‘setting off.’ The son can’t even tell him he’s not opened his present. The women are frantically tidying away and exchanging ‘looks.’

It looked to me as though the father and son had been arguing, thus the son looking all sullen and the serious expression from the father. And then the father remembers his youth and how much he loves his little boy, then they reconnect. I like the premise but don’t think they quite nailed it with the execution

Yes, it definitely has that feel to it. I was waiting for a black slate to come on informing us about domestic violence statistics and male suicide. Such a sombre choice for a Christmas shopping ad.

It made me cry too, think it’s great

‘Menacing’ ffs 😂

I hadn't seen it until this thread. Clicked on the link expecting something really dark and menacing but actually I liked it!

He looks really anxious!

Why is the Dad so grim faced?
I thought it was awful