Meet Me Next Christmas Movie Review: An old, overused Christmas gift in new wrapping

You know you’ve signed up for a run-of-the-mill romantic comedy in winter when every speaker blares ‘It’s the most wonderful time…’ or ‘Jingle Bells’. Meet Me Next Christmas sticks to a familiar path with Layla (Christina Milian), who finds herself stranded at an airport on Christmas Eve due to a snowstorm. As she waits, she encounters two men, including one with whom she shares an instant connection. James (Kofi Siriboe) suggests they meet again next Christmas Eve at the concert of her favourite acapella group, Pentatonix, if they’re both still single—setting the stage for a holiday romance.

Director: Rusty Cundieff
Cast: Christina Milian, Devale Ellis, Kofi Siriboe, Tymika Tafari, Mitch Grassi, Scott Hoying, Kirstin Maldonado, Kevin Olusola, Matt Sallee, and Kalen Allen
Rating: 2.5
Genre: Romance
Streaming on: Netflix

The first thirty minutes of the film unfold smoothly, like the corners of a puzzle fitting neatly into place… until Layla meets the other man from the airport. Teddy (Devale Ellis) plays her helpful concierge, assisting Layla in her search for happily-ever-after. The film leans into cheesiness, not taking itself too seriously. Layla, with her wholesome day job of helping students attend historically Black colleges and universities, feels almost saintly—she’d easily top Santa’s nice list.

Director Rusty Cundieff and writers Molly Haldeman and Camilla Rubis are aware of the genre’s limitations, keeping the story tightly within the typical mold while trying, at times, to step beyond it. Yet, the film relies on convenient storytelling choices that prevent its simple story from growing into something more memorable.

While Layla and Teddy’s screen presence charms through a few slower scenes of them racing across New York for concert tickets, it’s the real Pentatonix band that steals the show, adding quirks and inside fame jokes. The snowball contest with an array of drag queens offers a refreshing break. Kalen Allen shines as Jordy, effortlessly carrying their bold, flamboyant character with braided hair and striking eyelashes.

Meet Me Next Christmas finds itself somewhere between romantic drama and light fantasy, with characters invoking ‘Christmas miracle’ and ‘The universe has spoken’, gently nudging the audience to believe in the magic unique to Christmas. It feels as though nothing in their lives matters more than a miracle for the holiday.

It’s yet another holiday romance that may blend in with others, its ‘meet-cute’ tropes and predictable plot familiar on BookTok. Yet, for a guilty-pleasure watcher like me, Meet Me Next Christmas may not conjure up an unforgettable romance, but it still sparks enough to light a few holiday candles.