A World Record Christmas

The film opens with Marissa and Eric Parsons realizing they are significantly behind on their Christmas preparations. Their son, Charlie, who is autistic, becomes fascinated with the idea of breaking a Guinness World Record after the town of Brookswood announces an attempt to break the record for most gifts wrapped in an hour. Charlie initially struggles to find a record that fits his skills, failing at the Rubik's Cube and free throws, before discovering a talent for balancing Jenga blocks. He sets his sights on the record of 1,400 blocks balanced on a single vertical block. Marissa and Eric contact Ophelia Bennett, a Guinness adjudicator, who agrees to a video call. During the call, Charlie's sincerity and his 'superpower' perspective on autism convince Ophelia to fast-track his attempt for Christmas Eve. Throughout the week, Charlie practices relentlessly, fueled by the hope that his biological father, Peter, will attend the event. Marissa tracks Peter down in a nearby town and discovers he has been living close by for two years without reaching out. When she confronts him, Peter is dismissive and non-committal, though he later emails Charlie saying he will attend. Meanwhile, Eric expresses a desire to have another child, a topic Marissa is hesitant to discuss. Charlie also experiences his first feelings of jealousy when his friend Amy spends time with another boy, leading to a heart-to-heart with Eric about vulnerability and friendship. On Christmas Eve, the town gathers for the dual record attempts. Charlie begins his Jenga stack, but as the clock ticks down, he becomes overwhelmed by the pressure and the realization that Peter has not shown up. His tower collapses just short of the goal, and Charlie suffers a public emotional breakdown. In the quiet aftermath, Eric comforts Charlie, telling him he is extraordinary regardless of records. In this moment of deep connection, Charlie calls Eric 'Dad' for the first time, acknowledging the man who has actually raised him. Encouraged by his family and Amy, Charlie decides to attempt the stack again for his own 'personal record.' While the town successfully breaks the gift-wrapping record, Charlie successfully balances 1,401 blocks, becoming the 'Jenga champion of the universe' in the eyes of his community. The film concludes on Christmas morning with the family celebrating their bond, Charlie's success, and a renewed sense of togetherness.