Common Sense Media Review
By Jennifer Green
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Language, drinking in predictable holiday time-loop tale.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
A Not So Merry Christmas
What's the Story?
A NOT SO MERRY CHRISTMAS stars Chuy (Mauricio Ochmann), a married father of two who detests that his birthday is on the same day as Christmas Eve. It means his birthday is always filled with preparations for the traditional family dinner and gift exchange, while he goes uncelebrated. Chuy's wife, Daniela (Ana Brenda Contreras), and his son and daughter (played by different actors at different ages), put up with his annual grumpiness. One day, Chuy encounters a fairy godmother who puts a spell on him that forces him to repeat his least favorite day in perpetuity until he learns to change. This takes him years. Meanwhile, his kids grow up with a bitter father, and his wife starts to tire of his attitude. Will Chuy be able to turn things around before it's too late?
Is It Any Good?
Just as main character Chuy gets stuck in time, so do audiences feel stuck in this film's repetitive scenario. Ochmann does what he can with the lead role in A Not So Merry Christmas, and he has a gift for comedy seen in other films like the recent Y Cómo es Él (Backseat Driver). But the wacky premise and humor of this film feel a bit too local for Netflix's global audiences, and the whole package feels derivative of other films. A song-and-dance opening number is completely separate from the rest of the story. When the film takes on a slightly more serious tone toward the end, it becomes more interesting and more genuine.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the lessons Chuy learns in A Not So Merry Christmas. Why did it take him so long?
How do the fairy "diva" godmother's lessons change depending on the costuming?
If you were put under a spell in order to make one major change in your life, what do you think that change would be?
What other films can you think of that have similar plotlines to this one?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : December 23, 2022
- Cast : Mauricio Ochmann , Ana Brenda Contreras , Manu Nna
- Director : Mark Alazraki
- Inclusion Information : Latino Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Gay Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Holidays
- Run time : 103 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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