Disclaimer: I’m a blind film critic. Why do they call it rush hour when nothing moves?

In the best Christmas film I saw released to a streaming platform this year, Alicia Silverstone and Oliver Hudson proved casting is everything, and chemistry is so important. they play a couple that has consciously uncoupled, and is getting a divorce. they have two kids,and Mom (Silverstone) is considering moving after her youngest kid (who sounds like he’s 30) graduates and heads to college. She is an architect, but became a stay at home mom and overqualified handyman when she followed her husband (Hudson) back to his small town that fell out of a snow globe. However, all isn’t perfect, as Hudson’s bringing along the LGBtQ representation with his two dads, who were actually lovely. one of them had a line about finishing the day, sitting in their recliners next to each other with a beer in their hand, and their toes touching. it was sweet, and I’m sure someone with the last name of Cameron just had a mini stroke.

Of course, these two crazy kids will get back together? Right? well, not so fast. Hudson is dating an accomplished new girlfriend (Jamila Jamil) and that means Silverstone is going to need to find one to balance things. She ends up running into a goofy, but sweet guy Pearson Fode). Another reason I love this movie, is that their love interests aren’t secretly evil or anything. They are both serious options that just may or may not work out. their daughter also brings home a British boyfriend for Christmas who is a little nerdy, but also sweet. This could have created foes, but no one here is a villain. circumstance and history are the villains, and they may or may not be able to fix their problems, but they do want to have a great Christmas for the family. Sure, there’s a bit of healthy competition, but nothing that turns anyone evil.

Oddly, Melisa Joan Hart is here, and for the life of me, I don’t know why. Her role is small, and rather unnecessary. She’s the friend to Silverstone, and she had maybe three scenes in the film. she really doesn’t add anything, and already stars in her own films. Why Netflix isn’t giving her a film of her own is a mystery.

I looked at a few Christmas titles this year I just skipped over and didn’t review. But, of all the ones I did bother to review, if I took one film from 2025 and had to add it to my Christmas collection, it would be this. We have made even better Christmas films in the last five years, but 2025 feels especially barren.

Alicia Silverstone and Oliver Hudson lead a charming Christmas family romantic comedy that is sweet enough to enjoy, and possibly even add to your Christmas rotation.

Fresh: 7.2/10