Klaus (2019) Review – A Masterpiece of Animation and Heart

🎬 Introduction — A True Act of Goodwill

When Klaus dropped on Netflix in 2019, it didn't just arrive; it landed. In an era of cookie-cutter 3D CGI, here was a film that looked like a moving illustration. Directed by Sergio Pablos (the creator of Despicable Me), it was a passion project that felt like a pushback against the industry standard.

But Klaus isn't just a tech demo. It’s a smart, cynical, and eventually incredibly sweet retelling of the Santa Claus mythos. It asks: what if Santa wasn't magic? What if he was just a sad old man, and the legend was an accident created by a desperate postman?

For a dad, this movie is a joy. It respects your intelligence. It doesn't talk down to kids. It has a dry, sarcastic wit that balances out the sentimentality perfectly. It’s the kind of movie you recommend to your friends not just as a "Christmas movie," but as a "great movie."

The Art of Klaus

Dive into the stunning visual development of the film. A must-have for animation fans and art lovers.

🧠 Story & Themes — A True Selfless Act

The film’s tagline—"A true selfless act always sparks another"—is the core of the narrative. We follow Jesper, a spoiled, lazy postman sent to the frozen, miserable town of Smeerensburg as punishment. The town is divided by a centuries-old feud between two clans. To get out, Jesper needs to post 6,000 letters. He teams up with a reclusive toymaker named Klaus to bribe kids into writing letters in exchange for toys.

It’s a cynical start. Jesper is doing "good" for selfish reasons. But watching that selfishness slowly transform into genuine care is the arc of the film. It shows how the act of giving, even if it starts with an agenda, can change a community.

The way the movie weaves in the origins of the reindeer, the sleigh, the red suit, and the "naughty list" is clever and satisfying. It grounds the magic in reality before letting it fly.

🎭 Characters & Performances — An Odd Couple

Jason Schwartzman voices Jesper with a perfect mix of entitlement and desperation. He’s annoying at first, but you slowly warm to him. J.K. Simmons is the voice of Klaus, and he is magnificent. He says very little for the first half of the movie, but his presence is immense. When he finally opens up about his past, it’s heartbreaking.

Rashida Jones plays Alva, a teacher who has given up on the town and turned her school into a fishmonger’s shop. Her cynicism mirrors Jesper’s, and her eventual return to teaching is a great subplot about the value of education.

The kids of Smeerensburg, particularly the silent Sami girl Margu, are the catalysts for change. Their innocence breaks down the barriers the adults have built.

🎨 Visual Style, Animation & Audio — Lighting the Way

We have to talk about the look. Klaus uses a revolutionary technique that applies volumetric lighting to hand-drawn 2D characters. The result is characters that feel tactile and 3D but move with the snap and expressiveness of traditional animation. It is, simply put, one of the most beautiful animated films ever made.

The background art is equally stunning—twisted, German Expressionist architecture for the town, and sweeping, painterly landscapes for the forest. Every frame is a work of art.

The score by Alfonso G. Aguilar is sweeping and emotional, and the use of the song "Invisible" by Zara Larsson is a highlight.

👨‍👧 The Dad Perspective — A Bit Darker, A Lot Deeper

Runtime: 1 hour 36 minutes. Perfect.

Suitability: Smeerensburg is a grim place at the start. It’s grey, violent, and full of people trying to hurt each other (in a slapstick way). It’s a bit darker than your average Christmas fluff. The backstory of Klaus involves the loss of his wife, which is handled beautifully but is sad. I’d say 7+ is a good age. Younger kids might find the townspeople a bit scary initially.

The "Wow" Factor: Even if you’re not an animation nerd, you’ll notice this movie looks different. It’s a great way to show kids that cartoons don't all have to look the same.

Rewatch Value: High. The story is so well-constructed that it holds up to repeat viewings. You notice new details in the background every time.

✅ Pros & Cons

🗣️ Conclusion

Klaus is a modern masterpiece. It proves that you can tell a traditional story in a new way and make it feel vital. It’s a film that believes in the best of us, even when we’re at our worst.

If you’re tired of the same old Christmas movies, put this on. It will restore your faith in the genre. It’s magical, not because of elves and flying deer, but because of what it says about the human heart.

📌 FAQ — Frequently Asked Questions