Common Sense Media Review
By Andrea Beach
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Earnest adoption story has emotional intensity, drinking.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Who Is Christmas Eve?
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
WHO IS CHRISTMAS EVE? is the story of Eve Simon (Paige Hurd), who as a newborn was found abandoned in a church doorway on Christmas Eve. Now, 30 years later, Eve is in a serious relationship with Chris (Romeo Miller) and they'd both like to take things to the next level by getting engaged. But Eve doesn't think she can move forward with her life until she understands her past by knowing who she is and where she came from. Chris enlists the help of Pam (Juliana Harkavy), a renowned private investigator who specializes in finding birth parents. Together Eve and Pam set out to put the pieces of Eve's life in place. But what if Eve doesn't like what she learns?
Is It Any Good?
This earnest story of a woman's search for her birth parents has some heartwarming moments and gentle humor, but it's got a few problems, too. One of the biggest problems is that although the acting in Who Is Christmas Eve? is fine, the cast just doesn't project a lot of chemistry. Another problem is the mixed messages about adoption. The movie's stance is clear that everyone deserves to know who they are, and that it's impossible to move forward without understanding your past. It makes no attempt to advocate for the privacy of those placing children for adoption, and Eve herself eventually decides that she doesn't need to understand her past in order to get on with her life. The complete absence of Eve and Andy's adoptive parents leaves a big hole in the story, too.
But it does generate a lot of warmth and may resonate with some viewers with experience adopting or having been adopted. Although there's very little content of concern, kid appeal is limited by the adult cast and story about people in their 30s.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Who Is Christmas Eve? portrays adoption. Do you agree that everyone deserves to know who they are? Do people who place their children for adoption have any rights to privacy? Why, or why not?
Are Eve, Chris, and Pam positive role models? Why, or why not? What are their character strengths and weaknesses?
Why are holiday movies so popular? What do we love about them? How would this story be different if it happened at any other time of year?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : November 21, 2021
- Cast : Paige Hurd , Romeo Miller , Juliana Harkavy
- Director : Christina Faith
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Lionsgate
- Genre : Romance
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Holidays
- Character Strengths : Communication , Empathy , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Run time : 90 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : Rated PG for thematic elements and mild language
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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