My Secret Santa

Former rock singer Taylor Jacobsen does her best as a single mum, but when she loses her job, the only way to get her daughter into a skiing camp is to don the red suit and work as Santa Claus.

I'm not exactly known for my love of Christmas films, so it takes a fair bit for me not to bring out the festive chopping blade. That said, this one is actually pretty good.

You know precisely what's coming within ten or fifteen minutes. The setup and characters mean the script more or less writes itself, and it plays out exactly as you expect - but that's part of the charm. It's goofy, it's sentimental, but it never force feeds you warming cinnamon-sugar nonsense every two minutes.

Taylor feels like a real person. Yes, she inevitably falls for the bearded, rich chap with immaculate hair, but she's also someone who's known hardship and understands what it is to struggle. That gives the whole thing a bit more grounding than most films in this mould.

Don't take it too seriously or you'll lose patience, but if you're willing to accept ninety minutes of fluffy festive comfort - think 'Mrs. Doubtfire' in reverse - it's surprisingly engaging. Ryan Eggold and Tia Mowry are both very good, but Alexandra Breckenridge steals it; the role is undeniably daft, yet she keeps it anchored.

'Nice' may not be the strongest adjective these days, but here it fits. A film that's rich, wholesome, and simply... nice.

7/10.

Was ok,nothing original & rather clichéd. Also plothole regarding a discount for the daughter,as mom lied for employment.

Have seen this type storyline including but not,limited to Mrs. Doubtfire or Christmas at Cartwright's.

Wasn't full of laughs or anything,didn't feel really holiday spirited considering.

Actors to acting was fine,cinematography decent.

Not something will rewatch,but does pass time if bored.

Alexandra Breckenridge has already proven her emotional range in Virgin River, so seeing her step into the lighter, more playful tone of My Secret Santa is genuinely refreshing. She brings sincerity and warmth to a role that easily could have felt generic, and it's her grounded presence that immediately elevates what might otherwise be dismissed as another Hallmark-style holiday movie. While the film leans into familiar tropes, Breckenridge treats every moment with care, giving the story a surprising sense of heart.

She's not alone in carrying the energy. Ryan Eggold and Tia Mowry round out the cast in a way that genuinely strengthens the entire experience. Eggold brings an unexpected charm and vulnerability to the "millionaire troublemaker" archetype, while Mowry adds comedic brightness and emotional stability. Together, the three create a dynamic ensemble that feels far more engaging than many films in this genre usually offer. Their chemistry is believable, fun, and lively, giving the story the bolt of energy it needs.

The screenplay itself is clever in its setup, following Breckenridge's character as she struggles financially and is forced to take an unconventional path: disguising herself as Santa Claus just to secure a job that will cover her daughter's tuition. It's a bizarre concept on paper, but onscreen it becomes a playful twist on holiday storytelling. The film embraces the absurdity while still grounding the emotional core, which is why it works better than expected. The idea is unusual, but surprisingly charming.

Even with such a smart premise, the writing doesn't always reach its full potential. There are moments when the story feels rushed, and others when it could have leaned deeper into emotional buildup. A few scenes clearly needed stronger transitions or more character development, and it's obvious where the director and screenwriter missed opportunities to elevate the narrative. These missteps don't derail the movie, but they prevent it from becoming something truly standout.

Visually, the direction walks a fine line between warm holiday sentiment and predictable made-for-TV framing. Some scenes feel staged or overly bright, but others manage to capture genuine coziness and connection. What the director does best is allow the actors room to play into the film's humor and sentimentality, letting their personalities fill in the gaps where the script comes up short. The result is an uneven but undeniably warm experience that works largely because of the cast.

In the end, My Secret Santa succeeds not because it reinvents the holiday genre, but because its performances give it heart. Alexandra Breckenridge shines in a role that highlights her versatility, and the chemistry among the leads makes the story feel far more meaningful than expected. It may not be the greatest holiday movie ever made, but it's easy to enjoy, easy to root for, and absolutely worth watching-especially for those who appreciate a charming cast bringing life to a whimsical concept.

A pretty silly Christmas movie, and for some reason I went into it with high expectations (probably because it's from the same creator as The Princess Switch). Unfortunately, it didn't live up to them. The funniest part is how you can constantly see the main characters' breath turning into vapor whenever they're outside, but not the extras. There's so much of it that it looks like they're all smoking the whole time. Once you notice it, you can't unsee it and suddenly it's the only thing you're watching.

Yeah, this is an old trope, and Mrs. Doubtfire not even reimagined but simply Christmasified, but I love a holiday goof. Maybe it's the Christmas spirit. A single mom, Taylor, who is played by the absolutely dashingly gorgeous Alexandra Breckenridge, is broke and finds herself donning and doffing Santa costumes and event dresses while madly falling for the rich and handsome Matthew Layne, portrayed by Ryan Eggold. Cute children, wholesome moments, outrageously bad comedy that I found funny, an endearing gay brother, and a Santa so good he almost turned Layne bi.

Not for everyone, but I love this type of shi. Ho, ho, ho!