For the holidays, experiences usually fall into two camps: the lighthearted and the… not so much. Even when life isn’t exactly merry, bright, or light, the hope is always the same—peace and, if it can be managed, a little happiness anyway. The challenge, of course, is that sometimes there just isn’t much emotional “raw material” to work with. Still, that doesn’t mean you stop trying. That’s exactly the space we find “the Holdens” in within the 2025 Christmas romantic comedy “A Merry Little Ex-Mas.”
When “Conscious Uncoupling” Meets Christmas
Here, everything isn’t holly-jolly, but that doesn’t stop anyone from attempting to keep up appearances—at least at first. In the opening, we meet a couple who’ve been married for years, both quietly convinced the spark has long since burned out. There’s no big blowup, no dramatic villain; instead, they’ve agreed to call what they’re doing a “conscious uncoupling,” which feels a lot more like fear of saying the obvious out loud. Still, they’re determined to keep things as normal as possible. No one wants to rock the boat during the holidays. The only problem is, one of them doesn’t realize the joke is entirely on them. A dinner revelation makes it clear that the façade won’t be so easy to maintain, and from there, the journey unfolds—equal parts sour and sweet.
A Sweet, Predictable Dose of Christmas Cheer
“A Merry Little Ex-Mas” lives up to its name: 91 minutes of breezy, holiday fun. Yes, the plot is entirely foreseeable, but that’s half the charm—you simply buckle in, ride the gentle ups and downs, and step off with a contented sigh.
What really elevates the movie is its cast. The two grandfathers are an utter delight, Alicia Silverstone brings her signature quirky warmth to the role of the wife, and Jameela Jamil’s Tess is the ideal foil—gorgeous, accomplished, philanthropic, a touch show-offy, and deliciously cheeky. Then there’s Chet, the enthusiastic “fourth wheel,” whose buoyant, empty-headed presence stays irresistibly good-natured. Together, they form a chemistry that makes the whole production shine brighter than it otherwise might.
Cocoa but Extra Cream
Will this become a perennial Christmas classic? Probably not. But it’s the perfect holiday pick-me-up: more whipped cream than cocoa, a sweet little sip of cheer. If you haven’t caught “A Merry Little Ex-Mas” yet, it’s now available to stream on Netflix.
Uncut Diamonds 