Falling for Christmas (2022)
Director: Janeen Damian
Writers: Jeff Bonnett, Ron Oliver
Starring: Lindsay Lohan, Chord Overstreet, George Young
Falling for Christmas leans heavily on familiar holiday-romance tropes: a wealthy, spoiled heiress, an amnesia plot that leads to unexpected self-discovery, and a selfie-obsessed fiancé who misses the point of the season. Yet despite these clichés, the film succeeds by embracing nostalgia and delivering earnest, comforting moments that fans of seasonal rom-coms will enjoy.
Netflix’s 2022 offering casts Lindsay Lohan as Sierra Belmont, a Paris Hilton-like socialite who inherits a profitable ski resort, and Chord Overstreet as Jake Russell, owner of the modest ski lodge next door. After Sierra and her obsequious fiancé Tad (George Young) tumble down a mountain, Sierra wakes with no memory and recuperates at Jake’s humble lodge. As she adjusts to a quieter life, Sierra discovers that simpler pleasures and community ties hold more meaning than her former privileged existence. She soon commits to helping Jake keep his cherished lodge afloat.
The film follows a well-worn script, but much of its appeal comes from Lohan’s return to a leading role after years away from mainstream film. Viewers who remember her from early hits like Mean Girls and Freaky Friday will likely welcome her comeback. Lohan leans into the bratty, entitled aspects of Sierra early on, then gradually softens into a kinder, more grounded character. Her transformation isn’t radical, but it’s sincere and sweet enough to carry the emotional heart of the movie. Moments that wink at Lohan’s past roles—small musical nods and playful references—help the film trade on nostalgia without feeling exploitative.
Overstreet plays Jake as the quintessential good-hearted everyman: perpetually upbeat, overly generous, and perhaps naïve about the economics of running a small business. His devotion to helping others—even when it undermines his livelihood—establishes him as the kind of romantic lead who is easy to root for. The film leans into that warm, golden-retriever persona, using it to create gentle humor and to contrast Sierra’s earlier entitlement. While some emotional beats, like Jake’s grief over his late wife, receive only cursory attention, Overstreet’s steady charm keeps the film emotionally accessible.
Costume and production design lean into early 2000s-inspired styling, offering a glossy, playful take on luxury and lodge life. Sierra’s wardrobe—complete with oversized sunglasses, sparkling loungewear, and coordinated accessories—signals her heiress status from the first scene. When she steps into day-to-day mountain-town life, the clothes shift to cozy flannels and warm hues, reinforcing her evolving priorities. These visual choices help the movie feel like a nostalgic time capsule for viewers who remember the style and cultural moments of the late 2000s and early 2010s.
George Young’s Tad provides comic contrast as the loud, selfie-obsessed fiancé whose priorities are shallow and performative. His exaggerated mannerisms and posh affectations give the film some broad laughs, though much of the humor skews familiar. Even so, Tad’s presence makes Sierra’s eventual realignment with simpler values feel earned: the contrast helps clarify what she gains by stepping away from her old life.
Despite its charms, the movie is not without flaws. Several plot conveniences stretch credibility: Jake’s supposedly struggling lodge somehow remains bustling despite financial troubles, Jake’s grief and past marriage are sketched in broad strokes and then quickly set aside, and a child character accepts the amnesiac Sierra with unusually little hesitation. The film’s pacing can be uneven, with emotional turns and reconciliations happening rapidly and without much buildup. A tighter script would have allowed the central relationship to develop more believably and given key conflicts more weight.
Still, Falling for Christmas accomplishes what many holiday films aim for: a cozy, heartwarming experience designed for a single evening of uncomplicated viewing. It doesn’t reinvent the genre, but it delivers a soft, nostalgic comfort that will resonate with viewers who enjoy romantic comedies steeped in seasonal sentiment. For anyone seeking a predictable but pleasant holiday watch—complete with picturesque snow, warm sweaters, and a hopeful final act—this film offers a cheerful escape.
Score: 16/24
Written by Emi Grant
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