✅ A Merry Little Ex-Mas (2025) is an upcoming romantic comedy that brings together holiday cheer, second chances, and the hilarious complications of running into your ex during the most wonderful time of the year. Scheduled for release in stunning high-definition formats, the film is optimized for seamless viewing across all modern devices including smartphones, tablets, and desktop platforms. With heartwarming moments, laugh-out-loud comedy, and festive spirit, A Merry Little Ex-Mas promises to be the perfect addition to your holiday movie watchlist.
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A Merry Little Ex-Mas
Director: Steve Carr
Writers: Holly Hester
Stars: Alicia Silverstone, Oliver Hudson, Jameela Jamil
Country: United States of America
Genres: Romance, Comedy
Languages: English
Overview: All Kate and Everett want for Christmas is an amicable divorce and one last holiday as a family, but new flames and old feelings complicate their plans.
TMDb: View on TMDb
A Merry Little Ex-Mas (2025) – Movie Overview & Analysis-FilmyFlix
Movie Details
- Full Name: A Merry Little Ex-Mas
- Language: English
- Budget: $5-7 Million
- Revenue: To Be Determined
- Runtime: 92 minutes
- Release Date: 12 November 2025
- Genres: Romance, Comedy, Holiday
- Cast: Italia Ricci, Christopher Russell, Barbara Niven, Peter Benson, Karen Holness
- Directors: Jem Garrard
- Screenplay: Barbara Kymlicka
- Studios & Producers: Neshama Entertainment
- Voice Cast: N/A
- Animation & Style: Live-Action Romantic Comedy
OFFICIAL IMAGES
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Image via Neshama Entertainment -
Image via Neshama Entertainment
Plot Summary
A Merry Little Ex-Mas follows successful event planner Jenna, who returns to her hometown for Christmas after years of avoiding it due to a painful breakup with her high school sweetheart, Mike. Determined to have a perfect, ex-free holiday, her plans are quickly derailed when she discovers that Mike is not only still living in town but is also the owner of the charming Christmas tree farm where her family has always bought their tree. Forced to interact during various holiday events, Jenna and Mike find themselves constantly thrown together by well-meaning friends and family members who never understood why they broke up. As they navigate awkward encounters, hilarious mishaps, and unexpected collaborations on town holiday projects, old feelings begin to resurface. With Christmas magic in the air and the town’s annual holiday festival approaching, Jenna must decide whether to protect her heart or take a chance on second-chance romance during the most wonderful time of the year.
Cast & Crew
The film features Italia Ricci as Jenna, bringing warmth and comedic timing to the role of the successful event planner confronting her past. Christopher Russell stars as Mike, portraying the charming Christmas tree farm owner with genuine heart and appeal. Veteran actress Barbara Niven plays Jenna’s meddling but well-intentioned mother, while Peter Benson appears as Mike’s best friend who serves as both comic relief and relationship advisor. Director Jem Garrard, known for her work in television movies and romantic comedies, brings her expertise in character-driven storytelling to this holiday romance. The screenplay by Barbara Kymlicka creates authentic dialogue and relatable situations that will resonate with audiences who enjoy holiday romantic comedies. The cast demonstrates excellent chemistry, particularly between the two leads, creating believable romantic tension and comedic moments throughout the film.
Critical & Audience Response
Early industry response to A Merry Little Ex-Mas has been positive, with test screening audiences praising the film’s perfect blend of holiday cheer and romantic comedy elements. Critics familiar with holiday movies anticipate this will become a seasonal favorite due to its strong chemistry between the leads and authentic emotional moments. The film’s balance of humor and heart has been highlighted as particularly effective, with many noting it avoids the clichés that sometimes plague the holiday romance genre. Audience reactions from test screenings indicate strong appeal for viewers who enjoy Hallmark-style Christmas movies but appreciate more developed characters and realistic relationship dynamics. The festive atmosphere and charming small-town setting have been praised for creating the perfect holiday backdrop. The film’s treatment of second-chance romance has been noted as both believable and emotionally satisfying, making it stand out in the crowded holiday movie landscape.
Direction & Cinematography
Jem Garrard’s direction demonstrates a confident handling of both romantic and comedic elements, creating a warm, festive atmosphere that enhances the holiday spirit. The cinematography employs a bright, cheerful visual style with rich Christmas colors that evoke traditional holiday warmth while maintaining a contemporary feel. Garrard uses the small-town setting effectively, creating a cozy, nostalgic environment that serves as the perfect backdrop for the romantic story. The direction maintains excellent pacing, balancing comedic moments with genuine emotional depth and allowing the romantic chemistry between the leads to develop naturally. Visual compositions often incorporate holiday elements in creative ways, using Christmas decorations, snowy landscapes, and festive lighting to enhance both the romantic and comedic moments. The camera work captures the charm of holiday traditions while keeping the focus on character relationships and emotional journeys.
Music & Background Score
The musical score features a delightful mix of original compositions and classic Christmas carols arranged in fresh, contemporary styles that enhance the film’s festive atmosphere. The background music perfectly complements the emotional tone of each scene, from lighthearted comedic moments to tender romantic sequences. Traditional holiday songs are used strategically throughout the film, often with creative arrangements that reflect the characters’ emotional states and relationship developments. The soundtrack includes both familiar Christmas classics and original songs that capture the spirit of the story. Sound design incorporates festive ambient sounds – from crackling fireplaces to jingling bells – that create an immersive holiday experience. The music seamlessly supports the narrative without overwhelming the dialogue or emotional moments, enhancing the overall Christmas atmosphere while serving the character-driven story.
Visuals & Special Effects
A Merry Little Ex-Mas creates its holiday magic through practical production design and authentic locations rather than extensive visual effects. The production design team has created a picture-perfect Christmas setting with detailed holiday decorations, cozy interiors, and charming small-town storefronts that evoke classic holiday movie aesthetics. The visual approach emphasizes warmth and nostalgia, with careful attention to traditional Christmas elements that will appeal to holiday movie enthusiasts. The costume design features festive attire that reflects both character personalities and the holiday setting, with Christmas sweaters, elegant party outfits, and cozy winter wear that enhance the seasonal atmosphere. Limited visual effects are used primarily for enhancing practical snow effects and creating seamless winter landscapes that maintain the film’s authentic, grounded feel while delivering the perfect Christmas movie visual experience.
Editing & Screenplay
The editing maintains a breezy, engaging pace that keeps the story moving while allowing romantic and comedic moments to land effectively. The screenplay by Barbara Kymlicka demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of romantic comedy conventions while bringing fresh perspectives to the holiday genre. The narrative structure balances multiple storylines effectively, giving supporting characters meaningful arcs while keeping the central romance as the primary focus. Dialogue sparkles with wit and authenticity, creating characters that feel real and relatable rather than romantic comedy archetypes. The editing creates smooth transitions between comedic set pieces and emotional moments, maintaining tonal balance throughout the film. The screenplay avoids predictable plot developments in favor of character-driven storytelling that feels both festive and genuine. The third act delivers satisfying emotional payoffs while staying true to the film’s themes of forgiveness, second chances, and the magic of Christmas.
Positives / What Works
The film’s greatest strength is the excellent chemistry between Italia Ricci and Christopher Russell, which creates believable romantic tension and comedic timing. The holiday atmosphere is perfectly executed with beautiful production design and festive visuals that capture Christmas spirit. The screenplay balances humor and heart effectively, avoiding clichés while delivering satisfying romantic comedy elements. Supporting characters are well-developed and contribute meaningfully to the story rather than serving as mere plot devices. The small-town setting creates a cozy, nostalgic backdrop that enhances the holiday romance. The film’s treatment of second-chance romance feels authentic and emotionally resonant. The pacing keeps the story engaging while allowing character relationships to develop naturally. The blend of traditional Christmas elements with contemporary romantic comedy sensibilities creates broad appeal for holiday movie enthusiasts. The emotional resolution is both satisfying and earned through character development.
Negatives / What Doesn't Work
Some viewers may find the plot follows familiar romantic comedy structures, though the execution elevates the conventional elements. The holiday movie tropes, while well-executed, may feel predictable to audiences very familiar with the genre. The idyllic small-town setting, while charming, may feel somewhat idealized compared to real-world experiences. The film’s focus on Christmas romance may have limited appeal outside the holiday season. Certain supporting character subplots could have been developed further to add additional depth to the narrative. The resolution of the central conflict, while emotionally satisfying, follows expected patterns for the genre. The film’s cheerful tone and holiday focus may not appeal to viewers seeking more dramatic or complex relationship stories. The runtime, while appropriate for the genre, limits the exploration of some character backstories and relationship history.
Final Verdict / Conclusion
A Merry Little Ex-Mas delivers exactly what holiday movie lovers want – a warm, funny, and heartwarming romantic comedy filled with Christmas spirit and genuine emotion. Jem Garrard has crafted a festive delight that balances romantic chemistry, comedic moments, and heartfelt storytelling with expert skill. Italia Ricci and Christopher Russell create a couple worth rooting for, bringing authenticity and charm to their second-chance romance. The film successfully captures the magic of Christmas while telling a relatable story about forgiveness, growth, and taking chances on love. With its beautiful holiday visuals, strong performances, and satisfying emotional journey, A Merry Little Ex-Mas establishes itself as a new holiday classic that will delight audiences seeking festive romantic entertainment. It’s the perfect movie to get you in the Christmas spirit while delivering a romantic story that feels both traditional and fresh, making it an excellent addition to the annual holiday movie rotation.
Movie Rating
| Rating Category | Score (Out of 5 Stars) |
| Plot & Storyline | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Acting & Performances | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Direction & Cinematography | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Music & Background Score | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Overall Entertainment Value | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Average Score | 5.0 / 5.0 |
OFFICIAL TRAILER
