Rating: 🎅
Premiere Date: December 1, 2023
Description: JJ, mourning her grandmother and searching for dissertation inspiration, stumbles into a holiday destiny she never expected. Enter Henrik, a charming Norwegian from Bergen, who bonds with JJ over a troll figurine from his hometown. When JJ agrees to join him in Norway, she’s swept into his family’s Christmas and wedding traditions—including a sister’s wedding the day before Christmas Eve. Along the way, JJ discovers the troll’s origins, uncovers her own path to healing, and, naturally, finds love.
Chemistry: Absolute perfection. Rhiannon Fish continues to be criminally underrated, bringing depth, warmth, and believable heart to JJ. Henrik matches her every self-deprecating step of the way, making their connection utterly compelling.
Plot: Totally original and delightfully bold. Even the more far-fetched beats—like the plane ticket coincidence—worked because the story handled them with heart and charm.
Design: Norway at Christmas never looked so authentic. The Scandinavian minimalist aesthetic grounded the film and enhanced the cozy, festive vibe without feeling forced.
Overall: Yes. A thousand times, yes. This is holiday magic at its peak. Two moments in particular stand out as pure Hallmarkian gold: Henrik sprinting through the woods to find JJ, and their final kiss being interrupted by some surly teens. If a movie deserves the Santa rating, this is it.
Holiday Movie Wrap 