Netflix has kicked off its festive programming with A Merry Little Ex-Mas, but the streaming giant's latest Christmas offering fails to deliver the seasonal cheer audiences might be hoping for. Starring Alicia Silverstone and Oliver Hudson as a couple navigating a 'conscious uncoupling' during the holidays, the film represents another mechanically assembled addition to Netflix's extensive collection of seasonal content.
Nostalgic Casting Can't Save Predictable Plot
The film pairs 90s icon Alicia Silverstone, whose comedic talents shone in Clueless nearly thirty years ago, with 2000s heartthrob Oliver Hudson of Dawson's Creek fame. They play Kate and Everett, long-term sweethearts attempting to engineer a mature divorce while giving their college-age children one final family Christmas together.
In what initially appears to be an interesting twist on the typical festive romance formula, the animated opening reveals that Kate sacrificed her architectural career dreams in Boston to follow Everett to his absurdly named hometown of Winterlight. Years later, understandable resentment has built up, prompting her to plan an escape from both her marriage and the restrictive small-town life.
Promising Premise Derailed by Formulaic Execution
Any potential for genuine emotional depth quickly evaporates when Everett's new girlfriend, played by an awkwardly over-egged Jameela Jamil, enters the picture. The script briefly explores compelling territory as Kate watches Everett make changes for his new partner that he never would for her, raising questions about whether she essentially trained him to be the perfect husband for someone else.
Unfortunately, this promising setup soon gives way to broad, physical humour that falls completely flat. The film resorts to tired comedic set pieces including a shirtless stripper, Christmas tree fire and sled accident, forcing the capable cast into cartoonish performances they struggle to deliver convincingly.
Another Netflix Christmas Misfire
While not quite reaching the depths of 2023's disastrous Best. Christmas. Ever! featuring Heather Graham and Brandy, A Merry Little Ex-Mas fails to achieve even passable quality. It falls short of last year's more successful festive offerings from Christina Milian and Lindsay Lohan, which managed to deliver exactly what audiences expect from this type of seasonal entertainment.
The film's most disappointing aspect comes in its cop-out ending that undermines Kate's professional ambitions, effectively erasing any progressive potential the story initially suggested. This regression into predictable Hallmark territory makes viewers wish the filmmakers hadn't bothered pretending this was anything other than another by-the-numbers Christmas romance.
Silverstone's natural charisma and initial chemistry with Hudson can't overcome a script lacking both wit and emotional depth. As Netflix's production line continues to churn out festive content, audiences will have to hope that future releases provide something genuinely worth being merry about.
A Merry Little Ex-Mas is now available for streaming on Netflix, though viewers seeking quality Christmas entertainment might want to look elsewhere this holiday season.
