(Credit: Netflix)

Oh, how we miss her. The walk, the stare, the voice that could silence a room. Dame Maggie Smith, the legend, the icon, the queen of our hearts. You might remember her as Violet Crawley in Downton Abbey and every other title your mum probably has on DVD. But let’s be honest, for most of us, she will always be Professor Minerva McGonagall, the clever, powerful witch who made Hogwarts and Harry Potter feel real.

Now, if you thought that was the only time she stepped into a fantasy world, you are in for a little Christmas surprise. Because A Boy Called Christmas is right there on Netflix, and Maggie’s in it, looking as ethereal and intimidating as ever. And though she is not casting spells this time, the magic? Still very much there.

The film begins like a proper fairytale. A bedtime story is being told to three children by their aunt, played by none other than Maggie Smith. She plays it with such calm that it almost feels like she is hiding something just to surprise you later. The story is about a young boy named Nikolas, who lives in a snowy forest with his father. They are poor but hopeful. And when his father sets off on a mission to find a magical land called Elfhelm, Nikolas decides to go after him with nothing but a reindeer and a talking mouse.

Yes, there is a talking mouse. But it is not silly. It’s charming. The journey turns into a full-blown adventure with forests and elves. On his way, Nikolas discovers hidden truths and a few heartaches, but hey, that’s part of the journey. And in the middle of all that, you have Maggie Smith pulling the strings, reminding you now and then that this is more than a simple story.

What makes this such a good watch, especially during this time of the year, is how kind it feels. The movie never forces you to feel anything. It just takes you along. You are not hit with loud emotions or over-the-top speeches. It stays simple, which is why it works so well. After all, it’s a children’s movie. And for anyone who is feeling a little tired of the same old Christmas comedies or sugarcoated romances, this is the type of story that resets you.

The cast brings a lot of softness to the screen. Henry Lawfull, who plays Nikolas, feels incredibly real and has done an outstanding job. You feel for him right from the start. Kristen Wiig shows up in a role that, though short, is sharp. And of course, Maggie Smith, who never really needs to do much but still leaves the biggest impression. Her final scene will make you stop and smile, maybe even tear up a little.

So yes, A Boy Called Christmas is not a loud film in the conventional sense. But it is sincere. And sometimes, that is all a holiday movie needs to be.