Common Sense Media Review
By Barbara Shulgasser-Parker
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Wholesome but predictable romantic holiday tale.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Christmas Contract
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In THE CHRISTMAS CONTRACT, Jolie (Hilarie Burton) is a New York website designer reluctantly heading home to Louisiana for a traditional family Christmas. The trouble is her long-time former boyfriend, who recently broke up with her, will also be there, but with a new girlfriend. Jolie would love to have a plus-one to save face, but the pickings are slim. Best friend Naomi (Danneel Ackles) suggests her brother Jack (Robert Buckley), but he's an unreliable, struggling freelance writer who had already stood up Jolie on their first date way back when. Jolie reluctantly says yes to the plan. Jack is on board because he can research the Louisiana-set romance novel he's been asked to ghostwrite. Will romance follow?
Is It Any Good?
For TV holiday movie fans, The Christmas Contract is a typical specimen of this staple—it checks all the boxes. Two incompatible potential romantic partners are forced together and then fall in love. Check. Family values are either demonstrated in the ideal or imperfect families are mended by the spirit of the season. Check. Content is family-friendly with no salty language or graphic violence. Check.
TV holiday movies are shot quickly in inexpensive locations on extremely low budgets. That blueprint generally leaves little funding for great actors or writers, two building blocks of many good movies. In this case, at least the charismatic Burton and Buckley and a surrounding cast of good enough supporting actors make this watchable, if not great.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the predictability factor enshrined in this plot. Are there telltale signs in the film's early scenes predicting romance despite obstacles?
How does the film embody holiday season sentiments?
Do you think people are nicer to each other during the holidays? Why or why not? If yes, what do you think keeps people from being nicer to each other the rest of the year?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : November 22, 2018
- Cast : Hilarie Burton , Robert Buckley , Daneel Ackles
- Director : Monika Mitchell
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Romance
- Topics : Baking , Cooking , Family Stories , Friendship , Holidays ( Christmas )
- Run time : 87 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : October 7, 2025
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