Arnaud Desplechin’s whirlwind dramedy doesn’t fully reject Christmas joy, but it does give the undersung holiday traditions of dysfunction and discomfort their time in the spotlight. Starring a formidable French cast, this festive film’s thorny exterior makes way for little glimmers of tender hope.

In 19th-century Lisbon, a young boy named Joao begins to unravel the mystery of his parentage, setting off a sweeping tale of hidden identities, ancient secrets, and fateful encounters. Over three decades and across multiple countries, a web of interconnected lives slowly reveals its full design.