Movies
How Netflix's Christmas Movies Leaned into Silliness and Found Heart
2024-12-06
Inherent in the realm of Christmas movies lies an element of whimsy; it's an inherent part of the holiday season. Magic often takes center stage, and highly improbable love stories lead to significant life changes like moving across the country and sacrificing substantial paychecks. This year, Netflix truly embraced absurdity in their Christmas offerings, and in the end, it became a catalyst for the stars and creators to discover the true essence of the season.
Uncover the Heart of Netflix's Christmas Movie Madness
Netflix's "Hot Frosty": A Tale of Silliness and Emotion
In "Hot Frosty," stars Lacey Chabert and Dustin Milligan credit director Jerry Ciccoritti and writer Russell Hainline for ensuring that the silliness didn't overshadow the overall story. It's a giant terminal illness allegory that manages to balance fun and light-heartedness with deeper emotional undertones. Milligan shared, "There wasn't a single day where [Ciccoritti] didn't slow everything down to guide us through our characters' emotional journeys, regardless of how crazy the scene was. He cared about every nuance, and that's what makes this movie special." Chabert added, "He wanted us to truly connect with our characters on a deep level, and it shows in every scene."There were moments when Milligan took full advantage of playing a himbo snowman. He said with a laugh, "I tried to make him as silly as possible, but they cut most of that out. But the freedom to explore and be ourselves in those moments was truly wonderful."Netflix's "The Merry Gentlemen": Christmas, Comedy, and Strip Teases
"The Merry Gentlemen" stars Britt Robertson and Chad Michael Murray, with Robertson marking her first Christmas movie ever. Speaking about the experience, Robertson joked, "When I read the script, I thought, 'This is exactly what I want to do with Christmas and family – watch a bunch of dudes take off their clothes and feel themselves!' But seriously, there was a lot of joy and freedom in making this film. There was so little pressure compared to other projects."Murray admitted to having both terror and excitement. He said, "No hesitation. There was definitely terror and fear, but I was genuinely excited. Once I met everyone and started working together, it was clear we were going to have a great time. And that 'fancy stuff' – doing multiple strip teases set to Christmas-y club music – became a unique part of the movie."Netflix's "Meet Me Next Christmas": Fate and Holiday Romance
"Meet Me Next Christmas" tells the story of Layla (Christina Milian) who meets a seemingly perfect man at the airport on Christmas Eve. Believing in fate, they agree to meet again the next year if she's single. Ellis, who plays a key role, said, "I got to play a selfless character who wants to be of service to someone. Through that, Layla helps him find love and his drive to continue his dream. Christmas has a way of bringing out the best in people."Milian added, "It's about keeping the characters real in the midst of crazy circumstances. We constantly checked in with each other to make sure the movie remained grounded amid the comedy elements. It's a classic rom-com with a heartwarming twist."Netflix's "Our Little Secret": Ex-Couples and Holiday Surprises
In "Our Little Secret," Lindsay Lohan and Ian Harding play an ex-couple reunited at Christmastime. It turns out they're dating a pair of siblings, leading to some unexpected and comical situations. Lohan's character unwittingly eats a bag of THC-infused gummies and has hallucinations, shifting the film into goofy comedy territory.The story shows how even in the midst of holiday chaos, these characters' relationships and emotions play out. It's a tale of second chances and the magic of Christmas.Netflix's "That Christmas": Starting with Heart
Richard Curtis' "That Christmas" rounds out Netflix's Christmas slate. Although it starts with a heart, there's still a touch of silliness. As mentioned, there's a "Papa Don't Preach" performance by a child less than five minutes into the film. It proves that even among the more serious moments, there's a hint of the holiday's light-heartedness.In conclusion, Netflix's Christmas movies this year have offered a diverse range of experiences, from absurdity to heart. Each film has its own unique charm and message, making this year's Christmas lineup a truly memorable one.