Common Sense Media Review
By Kat Halstead
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Festive romance treads familiar path, has positive messages.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Ghosts of Christmas Past
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In GHOSTS OF CHRISTMAS PAST, Ellie (Annie Clark) is told by a fortune teller at an office Christmas party that if she doesn't make amends with all the men she's "ghosted" online before Christmas day, she's doomed to never find true love. Tracking down her list is going to take time, which she has even less of thanks to a last-minute work deadline. Luckily her colleague Charlie (Dan Jeannotte) is happy to help with both tasks. But as Christmas Eve draws near, can she find the courage to contact the mysterious final name and repair the past before it affects her future?
Is It Any Good?
This festive TV movie is a play on the familiar Christmas theme of a character being given an ultimatum to change their ways before the clock strikes midnight. Ghosts of Christmas Past even references A Christmas Carol on a number of occasions and takes a fun angle on this tried-and-tested territory that owes a lot to the performances of its leads. This isn't as wide-eyed and cheesy as some holiday romances, with Clark making for a relatable lead and the relationships with both her brother and sister-in-law, as well as her colleague Charlie, believable and with a welcome dose of knowing sarcasm in places. It still has enough of the requisite warmth, with some sweet family moments and fittingly romantic ending, and the modern take doesn't diminish any of the positive messages or festive magic, making this a solid addition to the Christmas line-up.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the theme of making amends and changing your ways in Ghosts of Christmas Past. It's one that comes up often in Christmas movies -- can you think of any others and how do they compare? Why do you think the holidays are a good time for that kind of personal reflection and reaching out to others?
Annie learns better communication skills, and shows courage and empathy during the film. Why are these important character traits? Can you think of times in your life when you've displayed any of these?
The film centers on the idea of "ghosting" -- speaking to someone for a while then suddenly cutting them out of your life and not messaging them back. Why do you think it was important for Annie to make amends for this? How might treating someone like that make them feel? What might you have done instead in Annie's situation?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : December 14, 2021
- Cast : Annie Clark , Dan Jeannotte , Morgan David Jones , Connie Wang
- Director : Virginia Abramovich
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Lifetime Television
- Genre : Romance
- Topics : Holidays
- Character Strengths : Communication , Courage , Empathy
- Run time : 87 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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