2024   Netflix

Rated:  TV-14

Length:  1 hr  41min

Christmas ~ Comedy ~ Romance

Directed by:  Stephen Herek

Starring:  Lindsay Lohan, Ian Harding, Tim Meadows, Jon Rudnitsky, Judy Reyes, Henry Czerny, Chris Parnell, and Kristin Chenoweth.

“This Holiday Season, you are invited to a very merry Ex-Mas.”

Lindsay Lohan stars as Avery Becker who works at her own Consulting Firm. Avery is getting ready to go on a long Christmas weekend visit to her boyfriend’s family’s house for the first time. She stops by her father’s house on the way while her boyfriend Cameron Morgan (Jon Rudnitsky) waits in the car. Her Dad is selling the house and has a box for her as he is weeding through his belongings. It is a box of old pictures of her mother and her ex-boyfriend. Her mother had passed away and she had broken up with her ex-boyfriend years ago. Avery and her ex had grown up together, became best friends and eventually dated as their relationship became very serious. After Avery’s mother died she had gotten a job offer in London and decided to take it against her ex’s pleading for her to stay. It ended their relationship in a really bad way.

Avery and Cameron head to his parent’s house as he re-assures Avery who is extremely nervous at meeting his family. Cameron’s Mother Erica (Kristin Chenoweth) greets them at the door with her small pet dog Veronica, and as Avery reaches to pet Veronica, she growls and snaps at her. Erica accepts the bottle of wine that Avery has remarking,” Oh…a screw-top.” and as she looks Avery up and down finishes with, “Fast and easy.” Off to a great start, Avery grabs a glass of Champagne from the waiter in the house and slams it. As she is introduced to everyone, Cameron’s sister Cassie arrives with her boyfriend and enters through the back into the kitchen. Avery is called to come meet Cameron’s sister and her boyfriend and as she enters the kitchen she is surprised by……..

Logan (Ian Harding), her lifelong friend and ex-boyfriend who she had broken up with to go to London ten years earlier. Trying to downplay the fact that they know each other, Avery quickly extends her hand and says, “So nice to meet you.” A little later Avery sees an opportunity to talk to Logan alone and explains to him that it is in their best interests to keep their past a secret for the weekend. As the knowledge of their lifelong friendship and relationship would lead to a very long awkward weekend. Logan reluctantly agrees and they shake hands on it and head back to the family and their boyfriend and girlfriend.

As the weekend progresses it becomes harder and harder for them to pretend they never knew each other as feelings of the past surface in both of them. Things get even more complicated when Cameron and Cassie’s younger brother overhear Avery and Logan talking and blackmails them to keep their secret. Cameron’s ex-girlfriend who he hasn’t seen in years and obviously has feelings for suddenly shows up and announces she’s moving back to town. As Avery and Logan try to hide and deny the feelings they have for each other, and try to keep the little brother from squealing, and Cameron gets keen on his ex-girlfriend, they are forced to deal with unexpected twists and turns that lead to a fiery Christmas Eve collision.

It is an interesting plot and dilemma for Avery and Logan. I liked how the movie started, nice graphics and a great story intro, it has a great soundtrack as well. I thought it was well played out. Humorous and in the end very touching. I loved the SNL alumni Tim Meadows and Chris Parnell, it was nice to see them in this. Kristin Chenoweth is funny as the evil mother Erica who means well. Lindsay Lohan and Ian Harding were great together.

I thought it was a great little Christmas Rom-Com. Definitely worth a watch.

Two Thumbs up!