You probably remember that weird news story from 2020. A tiny saw-whet owl was found huddled inside the massive Rockefeller Center Christmas tree after it had been hauled all the way from upstate New York. It was a rare "good news" moment in a pretty rough year. That little owl, nicknamed Rocky, is the DNA behind the Disney+ short film directed by David Lowery and produced by Alfonso Cuarón. But honestly, it’s the cast of an almost christmas story film that makes this 25-minute short feel like a feature-length epic.
They didn't just grab a bunch of random actors. The voices here are a mix of indie darlings, comedy legends, and newcomers who bring a surprisingly grounded feel to a story about a talking owl.
The Core Duo: Moon and Luna
At the heart of everything are two kids just trying to find their way home.
Cary Christopher voices Moon, our owl protagonist. You might recognize Cary from Days of Our Lives, but he’s doing something different here. He captures that high-energy, slightly chaotic vibe of a young owl who hasn't quite figured out how his wings work yet. Moon isn't a "perfect" hero; he's a little impulsive and gets himself into a mess, which makes him feel way more real.
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Then you have Estella Madrigal as Luna. She’s a newcomer, and she's fantastic. Luna is a young girl with a prosthetic leg who is also feeling a bit lost in the chaos of New York City. The cool thing about their dynamic? Luna can’t actually understand Moon. He’s hooting away, and she’s just talking to him like a human. It’s a subtle touch that keeps the movie from feeling like every other "talking animal" flick.
The Heavy Hitters in the Supporting Cast
The rest of the cast of an almost christmas story film is basically a "who’s who" of people you like seeing in movies.
- Jim Gaffigan (Papa Owl): Gaffigan is usually the guy making jokes about Hot Pockets, but here he plays the protective, slightly worried father. He doesn't have a massive amount of screen time, but his voice sets the stakes. When he tells Moon to stay put, you feel the weight of it.
- Natasha Lyonne (Pat): If you need a tough, fast-talking New York pigeon, who else are you going to call? Lyonne is perfect. She brings that Russian Doll energy to Pat, the leader of a group of street-smart pigeons. She’s menacing but in a way that’s actually pretty funny.
- John C. Reilly (The Folk Singer): This is the secret sauce of the movie. Reilly isn't just a voice; he’s the narrator. He plays a busker who performs four different songs throughout the short. Two of them are originals ("It’s Christmas Today" and "The Spirit of Christmas"). His voice has that weathered, soulful quality that ties the whole cardboard-aesthetic world together.
The Quirky Side Characters You'll Miss If You Blink
New York is a crowded place, even in an animated short. The cast of an almost christmas story film includes some deep-cut cameos and character actors that fill out the city's personality.
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Mamoudou Athie (you know him from Jurassic World Dominion and Elemental) voices Pelly, a pigeon who isn't quite as hardened as Pat. Then there’s Phil Rosenthal, the creator of Everybody Loves Raymond and the guy who eats everything on Somebody Feed Phil. He voices a pigeon named Punt. Honestly, hearing his cheerful voice coming out of a New York pigeon is a highlight.
Alex Ross Perry, a director known for much grittier indie films, shows up as Dave the Dog. It’s a fun meta-nod for film nerds, considering Perry and director David Lowery are part of the same filmmaking circles. Finally, Gianna Joseph rounds out the pigeon crew as Peaky.
Why This Cast Works So Well
Director David Lowery (who did The Green Knight and A Ghost Story) has a very specific style. He doesn't do "polished." The animation in this film looks like it’s made of corrugated cardboard and old boxes. It’s tactile.
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Because the world looks "homemade," the voices needed to feel human. If they had used overly polished, "cartoony" voice acting, it would have clashed with the visuals. Instead, you get Jim Gaffigan's dry delivery and Natasha Lyonne's gravelly New York accent. It feels like a real neighborhood, just... with owls and pigeons.
Key Takeaways for Fans
If you're looking to dive deeper into the world of this film, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- The Soundtrack is Essential: John C. Reilly’s songs are available on streaming platforms. They aren't just background noise; they actually tell the story.
- Watch the Visuals: The characters were designed based on the voice actors in many cases. If Moon looks a little like a kid and Pat looks like she's seen some things, that's intentional.
- Check out the "Trilogy": This is the third in a series of holiday shorts produced by Alfonso Cuarón. If you liked this, go back and watch Le Pupille and The Shepherd on Disney+. They have different directors but share a similar soul.
The best way to appreciate the cast of an almost christmas story film is to pay attention to the silence between the lines. The movie relies heavily on atmosphere, and these actors knew exactly when to pull back and let the "cardboard" world speak for itself.