The new John Lewis Christmas advert has reduced many people across the country to tears – including one young girl who burst out crying when MailOnline showed it to her.
MailOnline took to the streets of London to show people the advert which drew some very positive – and a few slightly terrified reactions from the public.
While some people have shed tears of emotion, adorable little Tara, aged 5, cried tears of fear when she saw the giant monster growl from the darkness beneath a child’s bed in the advert.
The adorable little girl, wearing a pink jacket and fluffy ear muffs, cuddled into her mum Preet when she saw the monster.
‘She’s a little scared,’ Preet said as Tara cowered away from the screen and was too unnerved by the giant monster to watch the advert through to the end.
MailOnline stopped filming when they saw that Tara was not enjoying the experience and she burst into tears after viewing the advert, which was designed to spread Christmas cheer, not fear.
But, Mathew, 27, was more enamoured with the ad and said it was the best he has seen this year, although he still preferred John Lewis’ offering last Christmas.
And many of the good people of London told MailOnline that the advert was emotionally potent and commented on its ability to tug at viewers’ heart strings.
MailOnline asked the good people of London how they felt about the John Lewis advert and Tara, 5, almost cried from fear when she saw the giant monster lurking beneath the bed
He’s behind you! The adorable little girl found the monster’s presence unsettling and she did not watch the advert through to the end
Richard, 26, said that his favourite part of the advert was when the monster carried the sleeping boy to bed and gently tucked him beneath the duvet.
He said that this act transformed him into something kind and caring, and he could no longer be seen as a monster from that point.
He has seen the M&S Christmas ad too but said the John Lewis advert was ‘more genuine, original and authentic.’
Emma, 22, agreed that the monster carrying the child to bed was the highlight of the ad.
Impressed: Mathew, 27, enjoyed the ad and said it was the best he has seen this year, although he still preferred John Lewis’ offering last Christmas
Gentle giant: Richard, 26, and Emma, 22, said that their favourite part of the advert was when the monster carried the sleeping boy to bed
But she is a ‘massive Paddington fan’ so her bias made her more inclined to choose the M&S Christmas advert as her favourite this festive season.
Lena, 50, and Rudy, 6, viewed the ad while waiting at a bus stop in Kensington.
Little Rudy gave a big thumbs up to the ad and did not seem fazed by the monster and she nodded emphatically when asked if she liked it.
Farrah, 22, said she liked it, although it made her a little sad when the monster disappeared.
Thumbs up! Little Rudy gave a big thumbs up to the ad and did not seem fazed by the monster and she nodded emphatically when asked if she liked it
But although she found it sad momentarily, she did not think that it would make many people cry, because overall the tone of the ad was one of happiness and love.
But when MailOnline showed the advert to a little boy, he cried out in alarm.
This year’s £7m John Lewis ad features Moz the monster who is first seen lurking beneath the bed of a young boy called Joe.
The seven-year-old cannot sleep with this dark presence hiding just below him, but the pair eventually make friends, and stay up all night playing.
Farrah, 22, said she liked it, although it made her a little sad when the monster disappeared
But the little boy, played by twin brothers Ethan and Tobias from London, becomes increasingly exhausted from long nights playing with his new monster friend.
Moz carries the sleeping child to bed one night, tucking him beneath the covers, and realises he must leave so that the boy can continue with his human life.
But he places a messily wrapped present beneath the Christmas tree for the boy before he leaves.
Little Joe opens the mystery present to find a nightlight that projects stars around the room which brightens the darkness and helps him sleep when Moz is no longer there.
The emotional advert has already made many people cry, including GMB host and Strictly star Charlotte Hawkins who broke down in tears on live TV.