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……

Erm….well done?

😂😂🤷‍♀️ oh dear

I liked it. A moment of connection in the minefield that is teen boy/dad relationship. Thought it was pretty easy to understand and quite moving.

I read the first comments and expected to hate it, but actually found it quite moving. I also didn't see the threatening darkness that others did. I didn't love it, but quite liked it.

Morrisons one is old-school, gentle and sweet, and tbh I have no issue with that

Really? The way the dad and son smile at each other and connect despite (clearly) having found it difficult to communicate?
I agree it’s a bit intense and dark in places but it’s a good idea and the end pays off, for me.

Yes. It was pretty easy to understand. But still many seem to have quite spectacularly missed the point. So perhaps it’s not as easy to understand as we think..

John Lewis does Adolescence basically innit.

They have done better than Lidl a few years ago, their advert featured a Lidl teddy bear that they were not even selling. At least the record is helping young people.

No but it’s Christmassy and not too ‘deep’

Absolutely this and I had a nice Dad

I think it's because we have so many threads on here about immature men and how they behave badly.
The teenager doesnt look grumpy, he looks anxious, they all do
I hated it!
Let's all pander to nasty men plus he looked like that idiot FOD off instagram 😂

How? The son is in the opening shot being moody and goes off upstairs.

Yeah, but does it make you want to stick your hand in your pocket and Eat, Drink and Be Merry?

It's meant to be a Christmas Advert - not a launchpad for polarising discourse.

Just showed it to my husband - he loved it. And he is not a lover of adverts.

I love it! But maybe I am exactly the person they are appealing to - kids suddenly grown to age I was when I was raving, looking back on both my younger days, and looking back at their oh so cute toddler years through rose tinted specs.

I’m really not sure JL are the people to be triggering a discussion around Adolescence style male misogyny and parental relationships. They’ve nothing to say on the matter apart from ‘please come and buy from us.’ And I don’t want to be thinking about the depressing state of the UK’s men at Xmas. It’s bad enough the rest of the year

Yeah, I mean he's literally there at the table - with his headphones on I think?
Then mooches off upstairs 😕
I think some people have been watching different adverts 😁

And does it make you want to buy more stuff from John Lewis?

Totally clear to me. The way the dad looks at it for a start. And the way the mum has said about clearing up the presents.

Utterly cringeworthy. So he used to be a clubber and now is a df with a poor ds looking terrified that he isn't good enough but, but he is yayy! Just bleurgh.

Wtf are John Lewis thinking is their media team on crack?

Bring back the rabbit and the bear or the fire breathing dragon

I loved it, Brought actual tears to my eyes. I also got an ND vibe from the son, but then I know a lot of ND people who permanently wear headphones or ear defenders, but I am not a parent and don't know that many teenage boys.

I am an old raver turned middle-class JL customer though.

Look, if you’re determined to be upset by it, you will be.
John Lewis is a great brand that puts out a Christmas ad every year that people wait to see with much anticipation.
This year they’ve given a nod to the dad/son relationship and it’s beautiful. If you can’t enjoy it, fine. The rest of us will get on with it.

I loved it, perfect ad and emotional.

Much better than previous schmaltzy ones and definitely spoke to me as a Gen X mum of teens.

Don’t see anything sinister in it all - but maybe if you have little kids it’s hard to relate to?

Having lost my own dad only a few days before Christmas one year, I found all christmas ad's triggering for some time. I'm not sure they can pander to every feeling that could be triggering to each individual.

I always want to buy more from John Lewis! 😂😂

I don't think it is beautiful. It's grey and joyless.