Review

Movie Review: The Christmas House
Subtitle: “When Decorating Takes Over Your Life—and Your Love Life.”

The Christmas House is a Hallmark holiday movie that asks the big questions: How many lights are too many? Can Christmas decorations save a family? And is there such a thing as too much tinsel? (Spoiler: There isn’t.) It’s a chaotic, heartwarming tale of family, love, and trying not to get electrocuted while untangling 5,000 strands of lights.

The story revolves around the Mitchell family, who reunite to revive their epic tradition of turning their home into “The Christmas House,” a holiday extravaganza so intense it probably affects the local power grid. Parents Bill and Phylis (Treat Williams and Sharon Lawrence) bring their two sons home for the holidays: TV star Mike (Robert Buckley) and baker extraordinaire Brandon (Jonathan Bennett). Both brothers have their own drama to sort out, but they’re also roped into the Herculean task of decking out the house, which, honestly, looks like Santa’s workshop on steroids.

Robert Buckley’s Mike is hilariously relatable as a washed-up soap star looking to recharge his career—and maybe his love life. His romantic subplot with Andi (Ana Ayora), the girl who got away, is classic Hallmark: sweet, awkward, and filled with moments of “accidental” proximity under mistletoe. Meanwhile, Jonathan Bennett’s Brandon and his husband Jake (Brad Harder) are navigating their own storyline as they prepare to adopt, bringing a fresh and heartfelt dynamic to the movie.

The decorating scenes are the real MVPs of this movie. Watching the entire family struggle to assemble a Christmas wonderland is like watching Home Alone meets Extreme Makeover: Holiday Edition. There’s glitter everywhere, arguments about inflatable reindeer placement, and a few near-death experiences with a ladder that’s clearly seen better days.

The movie shines brightest in its family moments. The Mitchells bicker, laugh, and hug their way through the holidays, proving that no matter how many ornaments you hang, it’s the people you share them with that really matter. Sharon Lawrence’s Phylis is a scene-stealer as the mom who’s determined to fix everyone’s problems with cookies and emotional speeches, while Treat Williams brings a lovable grumpiness to Bill, who’s just trying not to fall off the roof.

The romance between Mike and Andi builds slowly, with plenty of Hallmark staples: cookie decorating, heartfelt conversations about “what went wrong,” and a grand romantic gesture that’s as predictable as it is satisfying. Meanwhile, Brandon and Jake’s adoption journey adds an emotional layer that gives the movie more depth than your typical holiday fluff.

The grand finale is exactly what you’d expect: the Christmas House is unveiled in all its glowing, glittering glory, complete with an absurd amount of synchronized lights and a snow machine. (Seriously, how is this not a fire hazard?) Everyone gathers to admire their work, and the movie ties everything up with a bow—romances rekindled, family bonds strengthened, and probably a skyrocketing electricity bill.

The Christmas House is a festive, funny, and surprisingly touching holiday movie that delivers all the Hallmark essentials: family drama, small-town charm, and enough holiday cheer to rival the North Pole. It’s perfect for anyone who loves over-the-top decorations, slow-burn romances, and the idea that sometimes, the biggest miracles come in the smallest packages—or, in this case, the most elaborately lit ones. 🎄🎁❤️