My Secret Santa Review: Alexendra Breckenridge Elevates a Formulaic Holiday Flick

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Netflix’s new holiday comedy, My Secret Santa, follows two very different people who connect through their love of punk music and vinyl records. While it’s not a standout title on the platform, the film shares a similar morally gray tone with Michael Fimognari’s Jingle Bell Heist. My Secret Santa adds some emotional depth to its predictable romantic plot by realistically portraying the challenges of being a single parent.

Mike Rohl, known for directing Netflix’s The Princess Switch Christmas movies, seemed like the perfect choice to create another festive hit. While My Secret Santa has a charming lead couple – Alexandra Breckenridge and Ryan Eggold (known from Virgin River) have great chemistry – the movie ultimately falls a little flat due to its predictable storyline. Despite Rohl’s experience with Christmas films and the actors’ appeal, the movie doesn’t quite reach its full potential.

My Secret Santa Replays the Rich Hero, Poor Heroine Dynamic in a Somewhat Cliched Manner

Netflix’s new holiday movie tells the story of Taylor Jacobson (Alexandra Breckenridge), a former rock star who’s fallen on hard times. After losing her job and facing eviction, she’s determined to give her daughter the best opportunity, even though the fees for her daughter’s ice-skating training at Sun Peaks Snowboard Academy are very high. To afford it, Taylor will do whatever it takes – even dress up as Santa Claus at the Sun Peaks ski resort!

I’m so excited about this movie! It’s about Taylor, who takes on the role of Santa at Sun Peaks ski resort – and gets a sweet discount on snowboard lessons as a perk! She even gets paid well! To keep her identity a secret, she goes by ‘Hugh Mann’ and totally transforms herself. But here’s the catch: the resort is owned by the incredibly wealthy Layne family, and Taylor’s manager is Matthew Layne, the heir to it all. Ryan Eggold, who plays Matthew, is fantastic – he really nails the spoiled-but-trying-to-be-better character. They first meet at a record store, and it’s hilarious because Matthew is a huge fan of Taylor’s band, the Screaming Kittens! He recognizes her even in disguise, and that’s when the sparks really start to fly. It’s a really cute setup for a romance!

My Secret Santa relies heavily on the classic trope of a wealthy man falling for a woman with limited means, but adds an interesting layer: Matthew is never aware of Taylor’s financial struggles. The film cleverly uses the Santa Claus theme to connect the two characters, allowing Taylor to see Matthew’s true feelings while she keeps her own emotions hidden, afraid of getting hurt.

Breckenridge Shines as an Emotionally Intelligent Santa

“My Secret Santa” cleverly uses the idea of Santa Claus to explore the main character’s inner thoughts and to represent the emotional heart of Christmas. However, the story unfolds in a fairly straightforward way. The script, penned by Carley Smale (“Snowed Inn Christmas”) and Ron Oliver, features realistic conversations with occasional moments of playful wit between the two main characters. The story centers on a wealthy young man who meets a dedicated single mother who works hard to make ends meet. While the film avoids focusing heavily on financial hardship, it does rely on familiar romantic comedy tropes.

The film’s strength lies in its heartwarming moments. While Hugh Mann is a bit too grounded to fully embrace the magic of Santa Claus – a role needing both wish fulfillment and sensible advice – Taylor initially tries to apply adult reasoning to children’s requests, losing sight of Santa’s purpose as a joyful escape. However, she eventually uses her empathy to become a truly convincing Santa, connecting with the children in a meaningful way. These scenes are the most memorable in the film, as the children leave feeling more self-assured and resilient.

Tia Mowry is great as Natasha, a character who’s jealous of Mathew. He got promoted to General Manager even though he wasn’t the most qualified. But the real standout performance comes from Breckenridge, who’s hilarious as Hugh Mann and really brings the comedy to life. The connection between the characters in My Secret Santa is noticeable, though it takes some time to fully develop.

The movie uses sadness to add depth to its funny moments, gradually leading to a bittersweet truth that unites the main characters. While the story follows a predictable path, it surprisingly feels genuine, combining laughter, sadness, and a realistically earned connection in a way that’s more satisfying than you might expect.

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2025-12-03 11:18