"My Secret Santa" Review: Is Netflix’s New Christmas Romance Movie Worth Watching?

If you’ve ever watched a Christmas movie and thought, “Why am I rolling my eyes while smiling?”, congratulations, you’re exactly the audience Netflix had in mind when they made My Secret Santa.

As a self-proclaimed connoisseur of predictable holiday romances (yes, I said connoisseur), I dove into this movie with my usual December expectations: cozy vibes, soft lighting, questionable life decisions, and two attractive people who fall in love faster than hot cocoa cools. And My Secret Santa delivers exactly that, for better and for worse.

🎄 The Premise: Peak Holiday Rom-Com Logic (and I Love It Anyway)

The story follows Taylor, a hardworking single mom who disguises herself as Santa at a winter resort so she can fund her daughter’s ski lessons. While she’s juggling fake facial hair and seasonal wisdom, she ends up working closely with Matthew, the resort’s charming manager. Cue sparkly lights, slow smiles, holiday chaos, and romantic tension that appears… very quickly. Like, you-blink-you-miss-it-but-it’s-there quickly.

Directed by Mike Rohl and led by the charismatic trio Alexandra Breckenridge, Ryan Eggold, and Tia Mowry, the film has the kind of cast that could easily elevate the material, if the material let them.

✨ What I Enjoyed (A.K.A. Why I Kept Watching With a Warm Blanket):

1. The Resort Setting Is Pure Christmas Comfort

Snowy mountains, twinkly lights, festive décor, the whole place feels like a Hallmark Advent calendar thrown up in the best possible way. It’s relaxing, cozy, and guaranteed to make you crave hot chocolate.

2. The Cast Is Strong — Even If the Script Doesn’t Always Show It

Alexandra Breckenridge and Ryan Eggold have natural charm, and Tia Mowry brings the exact energy you want in a holiday movie. You can tell these actors could do so much more, but even in a predictably structured film, they manage to make the characters feel likable.

3. The Holiday Spirit Is Alive and Sparkling

If you’re watching for festive vibes, romance, and sleigh-bell ambiance rather than deeply layered storytelling, this movie delivers exactly what your holly-jolly soul ordered.

😬 What Didn’t Hit the Mark (Because Let’s Be Honest, We All Expect Some Corniness)

1. The Predictability Is… Comically Strong

If you’ve seen one hallmark-style Christmas romance, you’ll see every plot turn coming. Every. Single. One.

Am I judging? Maybe.

Did I still watch the whole thing? Absolutely.

2. The Romance Is Rushed (Like “We Just Met But Let’s Gaze Deeply Into Each Other’s Souls” Rushed)

Look, I’m here for the love story. I want the butterflies. But this one felt like the romance version of instant oatmeal, hot, sweet, but maybe a little too fast for full flavor.

3. The Quirky Moments Teeter Into Cringe

There were multiple scenes where I physically tilted my head like a confused puppy. The humor tries hard, and sometimes it lands, but there are definitely lines and interactions that feel like they were written by someone who has only ever witnessed flirting through greeting cards.

🎁 So… Should You Watch My Secret Santa?

If you’re a Netflix Christmas movie fan, a Hallmark enthusiast, or someone who thrives on a mix of cozy romance and delightful cheesiness, then yes,  absolutely. Add it to your queue, grab a fuzzy blanket, prepare to predict every scene, and enjoy the ride.

If you’re looking for:

• groundbreaking cinematography

• emotional complexity

• a slow-burn romance with depth

…then this probably isn’t the film to shake your snow globe.

⭐ Final Thoughts

My Secret Santa is the kind of holiday movie that warms your heart while also making you giggle at its own ridiculousness. It’s soft, sweet, rushed, cliché, charming, and just cringe enough to keep things interesting.

And honestly? That’s exactly why I watch these movies every December.

If you’re in the mood for a comforting Christmas rom-com that knows exactly what it is, a cheesy, festive escape, then go ahead and unwrap this one.