Christmas, Again

Every year Noel heads from upstate New York to Manhattan to sell Christmas trees. This trip usually follows a familiar rhythm, but this time he arrives without the long time partner he loves. The work that used to feel easy now feels hollow, and Noel slips into a quiet spiral. He alienates coworkers and scorns customers as his sense of purpose slips away. The friendly, ordinary faces of the holiday market stand nearby, offering small moments of kindness and routine. Those small acts from a close knit community may be the only things left to hold him up, revealing how a simple ritual and local ties can become a lifeline when a person is slipping apart. In the cool, quiet streets and the scent of pine, the city itself feels like a witness to his struggle.

Directed by Charles Poekel, Christmas, Again is based on an original screenplay. Poekel uses careful framing and restrained dialogue to create a spare, intimate mood. Kentucker Audley leads as Noel, with Hannah Gross and Jason Shelton offering quiet, grounded support.

Box office data for this indie title is not widely reported, reflecting its limited release and art house positioning. It found audiences primarily in film festivals, museum cinemas, and select cities where thoughtful dramas draw steady, patient crowds.

There are no major awards documented for this film. It did, however, attract attention in independent circuits for its restrained approach and for Kentucker Audley's quiet, understated performance. Critics noted the film's slow pace and its willingness to linger on small, human moments rather than plot twists.

Critics praised the film for its spare mood and naturalistic tone, using the holiday setting to probe loneliness, memory, and the pull of small rituals. It asks whether a close knit community can steady a fragile spirit when personal doubt deepens.