Look, An Unexpected Christmas isn’t pretending to be anything other than what it is: a warm mug of cocoa in movie form, complete with the tiny marshmallows of emotional conflict floating on top. Directed by Michael Robison, the film leans hard into the classic Hallmark formula — and honestly, that’s the point. You don’t show up to a Hallmark holiday movie expecting Citizen Kane. You show up because it’s December, you’re tired, and you want to watch two attractive people work through their feelings in a town where snow falls on cue like it’s union‑regulated.
The plot centers on Jamie (played by Tyler Hynes, who has perfected the art of looking both flustered and charming at the same time) and Emily (the always‑effortless Bethany Joy Lenz, who could probably sell emotional sincerity to a brick wall). Jamie is a speechwriter who can craft soaring rhetoric for governors but can’t manage a basic conversation about his own relationship. Emily is the ex who gets roped into pretending they’re still together for the sake of Jamie’s family Christmas. It’s the kind of setup that Gen X viewers recognize instantly: “Oh, we’re doing this trope again? Fine. Pour another drink.”
What makes the movie work is the chemistry between Lenz and Hynes. They have that lived‑in, “we’ve definitely fought about assembling IKEA furniture” vibe that makes the fake‑dating premise feel less like a contrivance and more like a questionable life choice two real people might actually make. Robison’s direction keeps things light and breezy, letting the actors carry the emotional weight without drowning the whole thing in syrup. It’s Hallmark, yes, but it’s Hallmark with a little more texture than usual — like someone remembered to add nutmeg to the eggnog.
Of course, the movie hits all the expected beats: the awkward reunion, the meddling family, the third‑act misunderstanding that could be solved with a single adult conversation. But that’s part of the charm. Gen X grew up on sitcoms where every conflict was resolved in 22 minutes, so watching two grown adults stumble through their feelings for 84 minutes feels almost nostalgic. And honestly, the emotional payoff works. When Jamie finally stops hiding behind his speechwriting and actually says what he means, it lands.
If you missed it during its original run, An Unexpected Christmas is streaming on the Hallmark Channel, ready to be consumed like the seasonal comfort food it is. It’s not reinventing anything, but it doesn’t need to. It’s cozy, it’s cute, and it scratches that very specific December itch: the desire to watch two people who should’ve figured this out years ago finally get their act together under a string of twinkle lights. If you want holiday cinema that goes down easy and doesn’t ask you to think too hard — congratulations, you’ve found your movie.
MPAA Rating: TV-G.
Runtime: 83 mins
Director: Michael Robinson
Writer: Paul Campbell; Gregory McGoon
Cast: Bethany Joy Lenz; Tyler Hynes; Alison Wandzura
Genre: Holiday Romance
Tagline: What's a little romance between exes?
Memorable Movie Quote: "Things change. People change. I decided it wasn't a good fit. Long term."
Distributor: Hallmark Channel
Official Site:
Release Date: November 26, 2021
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date:
Synopsis: Emily works at an ad agency and is sent to her ex's hometown before Christmas. She arrives at the train station as her ex is picked up by his family. They mistakenly think Emily's still an item.
