Common Sense Media Review
By Jennifer Green
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
age 10+
Soft language, drinks in a light, inclusive holiday romance.
Based on 3 parent reviews
What is the story?
When her flight is delayed due to bad weather during the holiday season, Layla (Christina Milian) meets handsome James (Kofi Siriboe) in an airport lounge as MEET ME NEXT CHRISTMAS begins. They have a momentary spark, but Leyla is on her way to see her longtime boyfriend. James says that if they are both free next Christmas, they should meet at a concert by Pentatonix, her favorite band. Lejla finds herself alone the following year, but the concert is sold out, so she hires a concierge to help her find tickets at the last minute. What follows is a wild night with cute bouncer Teddy (Devale Ellis) doing whatever it takes to find those tickets. Meanwhile, Pentatonix members are following the couple’s progress on social media, with some members rooting for Layla to choose Teddy over James when the night is over.
Is it good?
Despite the awkward setting, when this offbeat Christmas romance fits into the main act of meeting the two main characters, it wins with tone and sweetness. Chalk it up to the charm of singer-turned-actress Milian and lovebird Ellis See you next Christmas. It takes a while for them (and the film) to warm up, and even then there are some odd choices in acting and pacing. But the subplot of Pentatonix and a cappella cameos, which hilariously irritate the group’s manager, is fun, as is the drag queen’s lip sync competition. The growing chemistry between Layla and Teddy is compelling, making for a happy ending to the holiday.
Talk to your kids about…
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Families can discuss the role of the band Pentatonix See you next Christmas. What other movies have you seen in which a famous musical group plays such a big role?
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Why does Layla choose the person she works for at the end of the movie? Do you think she made the right choice? What did she discover that prompted that decision?
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How would this film change if it was set at a different time of year? What role does Christmas play?
Movie details
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On DVD or streaming
:
November 6, 2024
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Cast
:
Christina Milian, Devale Ellis -
Director
:
Rusty Cundieff -
Opt-in information
:
Black directors, actresses, black actors, Latino actors, African American actors
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Studio
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Netflix -
Genre
:
Romance -
Themes
:
Adventures, friendship, holidays, music and singing -
MPAA rating
:
-
Last updated
:
November 12, 2024
Did we miss something about diversity?
Research shows a link between children’s healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in the media. That’s why we’ve added a new “Different Representations” section to our reviews that will be published on an ongoing basis. You can help us help children