You know how some movies just stay with you, but for all the weirdest reasons? Honestly, Last Christmas is one of those. When it hit theaters in late 2019, people were basically split into two camps: the folks who saw the "twist" coming from a mile away and the ones who were absolutely devastated by it. It’s a polarizing flick. But if you look past the tinsel and the elf costume Emilia Clarke wears for roughly 90% of the runtime, there's a lot more going on than just a holiday rom-com.
Paul Feig directed it. You might know him from Bridesmaids or Spy. He’s got this specific way of handling messy female leads, and Kate (played by Clarke) is arguably his messiest. She’s a walking disaster. She drinks too much, she’s a nightmare to her family, and she works at a year-round Christmas shop in London called "Yuletide Bright" where she basically hates everything.
Then she meets Tom.
Henry Golding plays him with so much charm it’s almost suspicious. He’s always telling her to "look up." He shows her hidden gardens. He’s the perfect guy. Except, well, he’s a bit too perfect.
The Twist in Last Christmas Explained (Properly)
Let's get into the thing everyone talks about. The lyrics. "Last Christmas, I gave you my heart." It’s not just a catchy Wham! song. It is the literal, physical plot of the movie.
About a year before the movie starts, Kate was incredibly sick. She needed a heart transplant to survive. It turns out that Tom died in a bicycle accident on—you guessed it—last Christmas. Kate received his heart. Tom, the guy she’s been falling for throughout the movie, is actually a manifestation of his spirit or perhaps a hallucination brought on by her own survivor's guilt and the literal connection of the organ in her chest.
A lot of critics at the time called it "lazy" or "too literal." Honestly, though? It’s kinda gutsy for a mainstream holiday movie. It shifts the story from a romance between two people to a story about a woman learning to love her own life again.
Why the Internet Knew Before the Credits Rolled
If you were on Reddit or Twitter back in 2019, the twist was spoiled months in advance. People are detectives. They noticed Tom always wore the same tan coat and messenger bag. They noticed that no one else ever acknowledged him—except for one vague moment at an ice rink where a security guard tells them "you can't be here," which could easily have been directed just at Kate.
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There's a scene in a homeless shelter where Kate looks for him and the staff have no idea who he is. It’s glaringly obvious once you know, but on a first watch, if you're just vibing with the George Michael soundtrack, it hits like a ton of bricks.
London as a Main Character
The movie is a love letter to London. Period.
They filmed in some of the most iconic spots, but they did it at 2:00 a.m. to avoid the massive crowds. Imagine Emilia Clarke and Henry Golding wandering around a deserted Regent Street or Covent Garden in the middle of a freezing November night. Paul Feig actually insisted on shooting in the real locations rather than on a backlot because he wanted that authentic, sparkly London atmosphere.
- Covent Garden: This is where the Christmas shop is located. In real life, the shop facade was built specifically for the film, but the area itself is just as festive as it looks on screen.
- The Phoenix Garden: This is the "secret" garden where Kate and Tom spend time. It’s a real community garden in St. Giles.
- Alexandra Palace: The ice skating scenes were filmed here. It’s a classic London landmark, often called "Ally Pally" by locals.
- Electric Avenue: They even spent time in Brixton, showing a side of London that isn't just the posh West End.
The George Michael Connection
You can't talk about Last Christmas without talking about George Michael. Emma Thompson, who co-wrote the script and plays Kate’s mother, was actually friends with him. She started developing the idea while he was still alive, and he gave his blessing for the project.
The soundtrack is basically a Greatest Hits album. You’ve got "Faith," "Freedom! '90," and even a previously unreleased track called "This Is How (We Want You to Get High)."
The movie uses his music to underscore Kate’s heritage. Her family are Yugoslavian immigrants, and the film touches on some pretty heavy themes like Brexit and the feeling of not belonging. It’s a lot more political than your average Hallmark movie. Emma Thompson’s character, Adelia, is constantly anxious about the state of the world, which adds a layer of reality that keeps the movie from feeling too sugary.
What Most People Get Wrong
People often call this a "rom-com." It isn't. Not really.
If you go in expecting The Holiday or Love Actually, you’re going to be disappointed. It’s a drama about trauma recovery disguised as a festive romance. Kate isn't just "quirky"; she’s genuinely struggling with the fact that she almost died. She feels like she doesn't deserve the heart she was given.
Tom isn't there to be her boyfriend. He's there to show her how to "look up" and see the beauty in the world so she can start participating in it again. When he disappears at the end, it’s not a tragedy in the traditional sense—it’s the moment Kate finally integrates his gift into her own life.
Actionable Insights for Your Next Rewatch
If you’re planning on watching Last Christmas again this season, try looking for these specific details:
- The Costume Evolution: Notice how Kate’s clothes change. At the start, she’s disheveled and wears that smeared eyeliner. As she heals, her look becomes more "human" and less like a character in a play.
- Tom’s Physicality: Watch how Henry Golding moves. He never actually touches anything. He doesn't open doors. He doesn't sit on chairs in a way that shows weight. It’s subtle, but it’s there.
- The Background Characters: Look at the people in the homeless shelter. Many of them were played by people who had actually experienced homelessness, adding a layer of authenticity that Feig was very vocal about during the press tour.
Ultimately, the movie is about the "small acts" of kindness. It’s about Kate realizing that she can't just take; she has to give back. Whether you love the twist or hate it, you can't deny that the film has a heart—literally.
To get the most out of the experience, watch it with the understanding that the romance is a metaphor. Focus on Kate's relationship with her mother and sister (played by the brilliant Lydia Leonard). That’s where the real "healing" happens. The movie isn't trying to trick you; it's trying to remind you that being "special" isn't about talent or luck—it's about how you treat the people around you every single day.
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Next time you find yourself in London, take a walk through Cecil Court or sit on a bench in the Phoenix Garden. Look up. You might see something you’ve been missing the whole time.