The new John Lewis Christmas ad has landed and it’s a tearjerker

The arrival of the John Lewis Christmas advert is just a part of festive tradition as is sampling each supermarket mince pie before the 25 December. So just six days into November, the brand has released its Christmas offering into the world called Man on the Moon. 

Directed by Kim Gehrig, the woman behind the This Girl Can ads for Sport England, the advert follows the story of a girl named Lily. While looking through her telescope one night, she spots a man on the moon living in a tiny house. Watching him all alone with no one to talk to, Lily makes it her mission to get something to the moon to let him know she’s thinking of him.

After many failed attempts, finally on Christmas Day a parcel attached to a bunch of helium balloons slowly floats its way to the old man. It’s a telescope which he’s able to use to spot her back on earth, causing universal happiness. Unless you’re made of stone, the ad will pull at your heartstrings despite completely ignoring the laws of physics.

Beautifully shot and in the classic John Lewis style, the song used in this year’s ad is ‘Half the World Away’ by Oasis, covered by 19-year-old Norwegian singer Aurora. John Lewis aims to use its profile to raise money for Age UK through this ad, and the strapline; “Show someone they’re loved this Christmas”, echoes the charity’s own campaign: “No one should have no one at Christmas.” Sentimental, sweet and so full of Christmas spirit, the ad will no doubt have its haters but there’s no denying the underlying message.