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Falling for Christmas
Official release poster
Directed byJaneen Damian
Screenplay by
Story byJeff Bonnett
Produced by
StarringLindsay Lohan
CinematographyGraham Robbins
Edited byKristi Shimek
Music byNathan Lanier
Production
companies
Distributed byNetflix
Release date
  • November 10, 2022 (2022-11-10)
Running time
95 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Falling for Christmas is a 2022 American Christmas romantic comedy film starring Lindsay Lohan as a spoiled heiress who loses her memory in a skiing accident and lands in the care of a lodge owner widower at Christmastime. The film is directed by Janeen Damian, in her directorial debut, from a screenplay by Jeff Bonnett and Ron Oliver. Chord Overstreet, George Young, Jack Wagner and Olivia Perez also appear in supporting roles.

It marked Lohan's first role in a major production in over a decade following a series of career setbacks while recovering from addiction and legal issues. Brad Krevoy and Michael Damian serve as producers on the film, which was first announced in May 2021. It began filming in Utah in early November 2021 and wrapped the following month. Lohan, her sister Aliana and Overstreet recorded songs for the project which were also featured in a soundtrack album.

The film was released on November 10, 2022, by Netflix, after a screening event for fans, hosted by the cast and crew, was held in New York City the day before. Several publications, including Rotten Tomatoes, named Falling for Christmas one the best Christmas films of all time.[1][2][3] It had one of the best opening weekends for a Netflix original film in 2022.[4][5]

Plot

[edit]

Hotel heiress Sierra Belmont has been newly appointed as "vice president of atmosphere" at the luxury ski resort in Aspen owned by her father Beauregard, despite having no interest in the business. While her father is away on business, Sierra goes up a mountain top with her influencer boyfriend Tad for a photo shoot where he proposes to her.

However, the harsh wind causes Sierra, who was wearing skis, to lose balance. She falls from the top of the mountain, is separated from Tad and hits her head on a tree. Unconscious, she is found by Jake Russell, who she bumped into earlier just after his failed business pitch to her father, and is taken to a hospital.

Sierra loses her memory due to the accident and the hospital staff is unable to verify her identify. Jake offers the amnesiac a place at his bed and breakfast hotel, the Northstar Lodge, until she can remember who she is or someone comes to claim her. After taking the name Sarah from a stuffed toy that belongs to Jake's daughter Avy, Sierra decides to help him and his family at the lodge in hopes of getting her memory back, but struggles.

However, Sierra bonds with Jake and his family, especially Avy, as she finds out that she lost her mother a couple years ago and feels empathy for her. She also lost her own mother when she was young and this starts to trigger memories. After improving in helping the lodge, Sierra adjusts to a normal life. As the hotel is struggling, she comes up with a fund raising party for the hotel.

Meanwhile, Tad is lost in the woods and finds shelter with recluse Ralph, who takes him to town on foot. At the Belmont, the hotel staff has not thought to look for Sierra and Tad as they believe that they are away on a trip.

After four days, Beauregard returns from his trip where he finds out that Sierra is missing and informs the Sheriff, who has just retrieved Tad and Ralph. At the party, the town comes together to support the Northstar Lodge, which is declared a historic site.

Before Jake can thank Sierra, Tad and her father rush in to take her home, restoring her memory. On Christmas Day, she does her own chores, much to the staff and Tad's surprise. Sierra decides she will do things for herself going forward and resigns from the position her father created for her realizing she wants to find herself.

Meanwhile, Avy reveals to Jake that her wish was for him to find love and convinces him to seek out Sierra. Realizing that she fell in love with Jake, Sierra breaks off her engagement with Tad. He is not upset, since he has realized that he is interested in Guest Service Manager Terry, so asks him out on a date.

Later, Jake declares his love for Sierra. She decides to go back and help him run the Northstar Lodge, especially when she finds out that it is sold out for the season after she publicly thanked them at a press conference. Beauregard believes he owes Jake a debt of gratitude for finding Sierra and so invests in the lodge.

Cast

[edit]
  • Lindsay Lohan as Sierra Belmont/Sarah
  • Chord Overstreet as Jake Russell
  • George Young as Tad Fairchild
  • Jack Wagner as Beauregard Belmont
  • Olivia Perez as Avy Russell
  • Alejandra Flores as Alejandra Carlisle
  • Chase Ramsey as Terry Carver
  • Aliana Lohan as Bianca
  • Kate Rachesky as Heather
  • Sean J. Dillingham as Ralph
  • Oscar Rudecindo as Darius
  • Lonzo Liggins as Mayor Howard Anand
  • Antonio D. Charity as Sheriff Borden
  • Blythe Howard as Dr. Layla Monroe

Production

[edit]

In May 2021, Netflix announced that Lindsay Lohan would return to acting by starring in a Christmas romantic comedy for the streaming service and revealed its premise.[6] The film's production details were reported by Variety, with Janeen Damian set to direct the screenplay written by Jeff Bonnett and Ron Oliver. Motion Picture Corporation of America's Brad Krevoy and Riviera Films' Michael Damian would be producing, while Amanda Phillips, Eric Jarboe and David Wulf served as executive producers. It was scheduled to start production in November, so it would be released for the 2022 holiday season.[7][8] In October, Michael Damian confirmed in an interview that filming would begin the following month in Utah, elaborating on the project:[9]

It's a comedy, a lot of really funny moments. We're excited to be working with [Lindsay], she's an incredible talent [...] Netflix approached us, I think we kind of became the go-to Christmas team [... they] said 'we've got a project that we're excited about', that Lindsay was attached to star in it and [asked] 'would you guys be interested in making it?' and we were like, 'yes, we would be thrilled to make it!', and it sort of evolved that way.

In early November, it was announced Chord Overstreet had been cast as Lohan's love interest in the film. George Young, Jack Wagner and Olivia Perez would also appear in undisclosed roles.[10] In the following week, Netflix released a first look of the film, a publicity still featuring Lohan and Overstreet, which was still untitled.[11][12] A production listing then reported principal photography for the film, under the working title Christmas in Wonderland, would take place in Utah, from November 8 to December 15, 2021.[13][14] It was filmed in Park City and Salt Lake City.[15] Overstreet was originally considered for the role of Tad Fairchild.[16][17] Lohan improvised some of the comedy scenes and did some of her own stunts.[18][19][20] Lohan was involved in her character's costuming.[15] After the production, Lohan spoke about the importance of receiving a credit as executive producer: "It's a really different role that I get to play aside from just starring in the movie. It's being involved in the projects at every step: the whole casting process, the editing and production process. And even parts of the script."[21] Writer Ron Oliver said:[22]

Lindsay knows her stuff cold and she brings ideas to the table. [...] It's really a movie about redemption, or finding your way back to the right path after you've been a spoiled kid. [...] When you write holiday scripts, you're conscious of the tropes of Christmas but also of the tropes of cinema. Lindsay's life has been examined and reported on so closely ever since she was a kid—I was aware of how Falling for Christmas might reflect her story when I was writing it.

Promotion

[edit]

In February 2022, Netflix released its 2022 movie preview with a video teaser featuring footage from its most anticipated releases that included a clip of Lohan in the film, officially titled Falling for Christmas.[23][24][25] That same month, Lohan talked to Vogue about her decision to join the film:[26]

I feel like what we don't have enough of right now is romantic comedies. And that's exactly what it is: It's a really fun, uplifting romantic comedy. And it's actually really funny. When I read the script and when we started to film it, I didn't realize how physically funny we were going to be. There's a lot of physical comedy in it, which I really liked doing—it's one of my favorite things to do, which I haven't got to in a while.

In July 2022, Lohan's mother Dina revealed her daughter Aliana would also be appearing in Falling for Christmas, as well as contributing with two songs. She had previously shared that both siblings would be singing in the film.[27][28][29] On October 3, Netflix released the official poster and more information about the project, with Lohan describing her character Sierra as "Extravagant. Temperamental. Glamorous."[30] On October 7, Netflix shared the movie's official trailer.[31][32] After the release, the filmmakers talked about working with Lohan and the film's reception: "She's such an amazing actress and comedian and it was really fun working with her. She's really prepared and very professional and really enjoys her work. [...] it's just now coming to fruition and we're just now seeing how the world is embracing it. We will be very open to a sequel, that sounds like a lot of fun."[33][34]

Music

[edit]
Falling for Christmas
Soundtrack album by
Nathan Lanier
ReleasedNovember 11, 2022 (2022-11-11)
Recorded2022
GenreFilm soundtrack
Length1:10:36
LabelNetflix
ProducerNathan Lanier

The trailer for Falling for Christmas featured a cover version of "Jingle Bell Rock" recorded by Lohan for the film as a nod to her performance of the song in 2004's teen comedy Mean Girls. Netflix announced the full track would be available to stream on November 4, a week prior to the film's premiere.[35] The full length version features a rap verse by Ali Tomineek, and a lyric video with footage from the film accompanied its digital release. A performance of "Everybody Loves Christmas" by Overstreet and a rendition of "Jingle Bells" by Aliana Lohan are also featured in the movie.[36][37] On November 25, 2022, producer Michael Damian released his track "Must Be Christmas" recorded for the film.[38] The soundtrack album, which includes the three original songs by Lindsay Lohan, Aliana Lohan and Chord Overstreet, along with the entire film score by Nathan Lanier, was released on November 11, 2022:[39]

  1. "Jingle Bell Rock" (Lindsay Lohan featuring Ali Tomineek)
  2. "Everybody Loves Christmas" (Chord Overstreet)
  3. "Jingle Bells" (Aliana Lohan)
  4. Morning Entourage
  5. Belmont Stakes
  6. Brunch With Beau
  7. North Star Lodge
  8. Your Chariot Awaits
  9. Is This Thing Safe?
  10. Snowmobile
  11. Avy's Wish / Down the Mountain
  12. Jane Doe
  13. Where Am I?
  14. Raccoon vs. Granny Gown
  15. Cabin in the Woods
  16. Making Breakfast
  17. Missing
  18. Tangles & Bubbles
  19. Christmas Village
  20. Joy to the World / Making Memories
  21. Jake's Angel
  22. It's Not You...It's You
  23. Topping the Tree
  24. Find My Daughter
  25. The Dress
  26. Giving Back
  27. Christmas Morning
  28. The Wish Was for You
  29. Reservations
  30. A Christmas to Remember

Release

[edit]

The film was released on November 10, 2022, on Netflix.[40] The cast and crew attended a special fan screening premiere event on November 9 at the Paris Theater in Manhattan.[41][42] It debuted at number one on Netflix's most watched movies list the day after its release.[43] It had the fourth-biggest opening weekend for a Netflix original since May 2022 and the best start for an English-speaking film released on a Thursday on the streaming service.[4][5][44] According to Whip Media's weekly ranker, it was the second most streamed movie overall in the United States in its debut tracking week (November 7–13), which only counted its first four days,[45][46] and rose to number one in the following week.[47][48] It also went on to become the top-streamed film globally on Netflix in its second week.[49] It ranked on Nielsen's U.S. overall streaming ratings top 10 at ten, which covers series and film viewing on TV sets only, and third among movies after its first four days of availability.[50][51] As of December 16, 2022, Falling for Christmas was the most-watched holiday movie released in 2022 by U.S. households that season, according to smart TV data collected by Samba TV.[52][53][54]

A week after the release, Lohan reacted to the response the film received and thanked the crew and fans on social media: "I can't even begin to tell everyone how grateful I am for this incredible moment! To all of the fans and longtime believers in me, I appreciate you. My heart is filled with so much love and gratitude. Thank you Netflix for letting me bring this story to life with such a wonderful cast, director, producers and crew!"[55] Falling for Christmas aired on Dutch television channel RTL 8 in prime time on December 19, 2022, becoming one of few Netflix original programming of its kind to have been broadcast on a TV channel.[56]

Reception

[edit]

Critical response

[edit]

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 62% of 55 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 4.8/10. The website's consensus reads: "It's no Miracle on 34th Street, but viewers in the mood for some fa la la la Lohan will find Falling for Christmas as easy as falling on the couch."[57] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 40 out of 100, based on 16 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.[58]

Samantha Bergeson of the IndieWire stated the film features Lohan's "career-best work in years" and called it "the Citizen Kane of Netflix Christmas Movies", continuining that "Lohan absolutely owns the film, with Overstreet a worthy counterpart and a generous scene partner."[59] In the Guardian, Benjamin Lee called the film "as bland and cloying as any other low-budget festive romance but serves as a strong reminder of [Lohan's] confident screen presence."[60] Writing for Vanity Fair, Richard Lawson said Lohan "is back in bright form in the better-than-average Christmas B-movie film" that "is as dumbly winning as it's trying to be. In a more profound sense, it is heartening to see Lohan looking and acting well."[61] David Roony of THR claimed that "if you're going to do an Overboard knockoff that slides into the generic sludge of sentimental holiday-season rom-com, then at least find a couple of leads with the charisma and chemistry to pull it off."[62] Courtney Howard of Variety expressed that the film's "subversive spirit, female-forward smarts and sweet sentimentality remix the formulaic and festive, making all things merry and bright" and it is Lohan's "new, snappy and vibrant work that excels," describing her as "hilarious [...] yet also delicately faceted when melancholic moments arise."[63]

The A.V. Club's Luke Thompson wrote that "it's silly, sitcom-y, and impossible to call "good," but Falling for Christmas is the kind of bad that feels almost appealing," calling Lohan the best part of the holiday rom-com that "occasionally charms" despite being predictable and formulaic.[64] Ed Potton of the Times described it as an "aggressively unambitious blend of pantomime acting, knackered plotting and will-this-do? dialogue," with Lohan being "the least worst thing in it, showing the odd flicker of her old charisma."[65] Writing for RogerEbert.com, Marya E. Gates called it a "tinsel-covered twist on Overboard", commenting "there is a warmth to this film that's hard to resist" and that "Lohan's irrepressible charm" holds it together.[66] In Rolling Stone, K. Austin Collins also called it a formulaic film that "reminds audiences what made [Lohan] a movie star in the first place", writing, "This healthy dollop of Christmas camp [...] is eager to give Lohan something to do. That's the point, and that's what the movie pleasingly accomplishes."[67] Sandra Gonzalez of CNN said: "Some actors shoot for Oscars, and that's great. Lohan's magic power has always been bringing to life films that have the simple goal of being unchallenging delights. If for that and that alone, Falling for Christmas is a gift."[68] The Los Angeles Times's Noel Murray praised Lohan's performance, stating that she brings "every bit of her earthy charisma to a rare leading role" and "a spontaneous sincerity to even the corniest scenes. The movie's wrapping is shiny and plastic, but its star quality is genuine."[69]

Accolades

[edit]

In December 2022, Rotten Tomatoes ranked Falling for Christmas as the 90th best Christmas movie of all time.[1] The Independent,[70] TheWrap,[71] Cosmopolitan,[72] TV Guide,[73] Seventeen,[74] Den of Geek,[75] Elle,[76] Women's Health,[77] CafeMom,[78] the A.V. Club,[79] Star Tribune,[80] York Vision,[81] Young Hollywood,[82] Harper's Bazaar,[83] Bloomberg,[84] the New York Film Academy,[85] The Herald,[86] Radio Times,[87] Marie Claire,[88] Huffington Post UK,[89] the New York Times[90] and Vanity Fair,[91] among others, listed it as one of the best holiday movies of the season. In 2023, Vanity Fair, People and InStyle also named it one of the best Christmas movies of all time.[2][92][3]

Year Award Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
2023 The ReFrame Stamp 2022 Top 100 Narrative Feature Recipients Falling for Christmas Won [93]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Falling for Christmas

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Falling for Christmas is a American film directed by Janeen Damian in her feature directorial debut, written by Jeff Bonnett and Ron Oliver, and starring as a spoiled and newly engaged heiress who suffers following a accident and is cared for by a struggling lodge owner and his daughter in the days leading up to the holiday. Produced by Pictures and distributed exclusively on , the film follows Lohan's character, Sierra Belmont, as she navigates her memory loss and newfound simple life at a remote lodge run by widower Jake (played by ), alongside supporting performances from George Young, Jack Wagner, and Olivia Perez. The movie, with a runtime of 93 minutes, blends holiday cheer with themes of redemption and romance, drawing on classic tropes of city-dweller-meets-small-town simplicity. Upon its release on , 2022, Falling for Christmas received mixed reviews from critics, earning a 62% approval rating on the Tomatometer based on 55 reviews, with for Lohan's charismatic return to but for its formulaic plot. Audience reception was more divided, scoring 41% on , though it found a niche among fans of lighthearted holiday fare and Lohan's comeback. The film marked Lohan's first major leading role in over a decade, contributing to its cultural buzz as a festive original.

Synopsis

Plot

Sierra Belmont is a spoiled and self-centered heiress to her father's luxury hotel chain, living a life of extravagance in . Newly engaged to the opportunistic Tad, she travels to her family's exclusive Aspen ski resort for the holidays, eager to impress him with her skills. While attempting an advanced run on the slopes, Sierra loses control and suffers a severe fall, resulting in a and subsequent . Rescued by local authorities, Sierra is treated at a nearby hospital, where doctors confirm her has erased her personal memories, including her identity and relationships. With no wallet or ID found, she is known as Sara. Unable to return to her unknown life, the arranges for her to stay temporarily with Jake, a widowed lodge owner struggling to maintain his modest North Star Lodge, and his precocious 10-year-old daughter, Avy, who misses her late mother. At the lodge, Sara immerses herself in the daily routines she has never experienced, learning to chop wood, prepare meals, clean rooms, and decorate for under Jake's guidance. She quickly bonds with Avy, helping the cope with her by engaging in traditions like cookies and crafting ornaments, fostering a surrogate family dynamic. As Sara and Jake collaborate to attract more guests to the financially ailing lodge—organizing events like a market and a pageant—a mutual attraction develops between them. During a fierce that triggers an near the lodge, Jake risks his life to dig Sara out from under the snow, leading to their first passionate kiss as gratitude and affection deepen into romance. Sara performs as in the community's pageant, where Avy's heartfelt wish to Santa for a new mother subtly mirrors her growing attachment to Sara. Meanwhile, the hotel's guest services manager, , alerts her fiancé Tad and father, Belmont Hotels CEO Mr. Belmont, to her disappearance. They launch a search, eventually tracing her to the North Star Lodge through news of the . As they arrive, fragmented memories flood back to Sara, restoring her recollection of her past life, her , and her family's wealth. Confronting Tad, she overhears him admitting to her father that he pursued her solely for access to the family fortune, prompting her to end the decisively. Disillusioned by the superficiality of her former world, Sierra grapples with her rediscovered identity and the genuine happiness she has found with Jake and Avy. On , with the lodge facing imminent , Mr. Belmont, moved by his daughter's transformation and Jake's character, offers to invest in the property, securing its future. Jake, recognizing Sierra's , proposes to her in a heartfelt moment amid the festive lodge decorations, affirming his love for the person she has become. Sierra accepts, choosing a life of authentic connection over inherited privilege. The resolution reveals a mysterious vendor—implied to be a benevolent Santa figure—who orchestrated events from the start, including granting Avy's wish. In a final twist, Tad and , who share a mutual attraction, depart together as a couple.

Themes

Falling for Christmas prominently features themes of class disparity, highlighting the stark contrast between the Sierra Belmont's privileged existence as a and the humble, hardworking environment of the North Star Lodge where she lands after her accident. This setup underscores the divide between wealth and simplicity, with Sierra initially struggling with everyday tasks like cleaning rooms or cooking, which force her to confront her sheltered upbringing. The uses this disparity to illustrate how socioeconomic differences can initially hinder but ultimately enrich interpersonal connections, as Sierra bonds with the lodge's owner and his daughter over shared challenges rather than material excess. Central to the story is the theme of personal growth facilitated by , which strips Sierra of her identity and allows her to rebuild from a place of , embracing and authentic relationships free from her past pretensions. Through her time at the lodge, she evolves from a passive, entitled figure reliant on others to someone who actively contributes to the community, learning the value of labor and . This transformation emphasizes self-discovery, as Sierra rediscovers her passions and priorities unclouded by familial expectations or . The holiday redemption trope is woven throughout, positioning as a catalyst for and renewal, particularly in mending Sierra's strained relationship with her father amid the festive spirit of the lodge. The season's emphasis on and enables characters to confront past losses and forge new beginnings, aligning with genre conventions where resolves emotional conflicts. Gender roles in romance are also examined, with Sierra's arc shifting her from a decorative, objectified partner in to an empowered participant who initiates and supports her love interest's dreams. Subtle Cinderella-like elements appear in the "rags to riches" reversal, where Sierra's memory loss temporarily reduces her to a dependent outsider in a modest setting, only for her journey to culminate in true love and restored agency, subverting the traditional tale by focusing on internal rather than external riches. This motif reinforces the film's message that genuine fulfillment arises from personal reinvention rather than inherited privilege.

Production

Development

In May 2021, Netflix announced Falling for Christmas as an original Christmas romantic comedy, with Lindsay Lohan attached to star in the lead role and serve as an executive producer. The screenplay was written by Jeff Bonnett and Ron Oliver from an original story by Bonnett, incorporating the classic amnesia trope seen in rom-coms like While You Were Sleeping while crafting a fresh holiday narrative about a spoiled heiress rediscovering herself. The project was produced by , Riviera Films, and Brad Krevoy's team under , reflecting the streamer's investment in low-to-mid-budget holiday originals. Janeen Damian was chosen to direct due to her extensive experience in the holiday , including writing and producing titles like and ; her husband, , co-produced and focused on infusing the story with feel-good family dynamics and heartwarming themes. As part of her acting comeback, Lohan contributed to shaping her character, Sierra Belmont, by providing input on the tone to balance humor, vulnerability, and emotional depth. Principal commenced in November 2021.

Casting and filming

Lindsay Lohan was cast in the lead role of Sierra Belmont in May 2021, marking her return to feature films after a lengthy hiatus. joined the cast as Jake Russell later that year, followed by George Young as the fiancé Tad Fairchild and Olivia Perez as the child role of Avy. Key crew members included Graham Robbins and editor Kristi Shimek, who focused on capturing the winter setting to enhance the film's holiday authenticity. took place from November 8 to December 15, 2021, entirely in , with primary locations at the Stein Eriksen Lodge and Resort to leverage the area's natural snowy landscapes. Production faced logistical hurdles typical of winter shoots in sub-zero conditions, emphasizing practical location work for scenes. Post-production concluded in the months leading to the film's 2022 release, with minimal reshoots required.

Cast

Lead actors

portrays the dual role of Sierra Belmont and Sara in Falling for Christmas, embodying the transformation of a spoiled heiress who suffers after a skiing accident, leading to a sweeter, more grounded persona as she recovers at a remote lodge. This marked Lohan's return to leading roles in feature films after a decade-long hiatus from acting, during which she focused on personal recovery and other ventures abroad. Lohan also served as an executive producer on the project, contributing to its development alongside her performance. Chord Overstreet plays Jake Russell, the widowed owner of a struggling ski lodge who takes in the amnesiac Sierra, navigating single fatherhood and budding romance while revealing layers of emotional vulnerability shaped by his past loss. As a and best known for his role on the television series Glee, where he showcased his singing talents, Overstreet secured his first major leading film role with this romantic comedy. His portrayal emphasizes Jake's quiet strength and openness, drawing on Overstreet's own experiences with personal challenges to infuse authenticity into the character's heartfelt moments. George Young stars as Tad Fairchild, Sierra's self-absorbed and antagonistic fiancé, whose superficial priorities and obsession contrast sharply with the film's themes of genuine connection.

Supporting actors

Jack Wagner plays Beauregard Belmont, the overbearing father of heiress Sierra Belmont, whose stern demeanor and familial expectations drive key interpersonal tensions in the narrative. Known for his long-running roles in soap operas such as , Wagner infuses the character with dramatic intensity and authoritative presence that underscores the film's exploration of parental control and reconciliation. Olivia Perez portrays Avy, the insightful young daughter of lodge owner Jake Russell, whose interactions with the amnesiac Sierra highlight themes of makeshift family bonds and personal growth. Perez, a rising child performer previously seen in and , delivers a nuanced performance that adds warmth and precocious charm to the ensemble's dynamics. Aliana Lohan makes a brief cameo as , a stylist assisting Sierra, contributing a lighthearted, glimpse into the protagonist's pre-accident while marking a rare on-screen collaboration with her sister, lead actress . The production also incorporated local actors from Georgia filming locations to enhance the authenticity of the rural community setting and small-town atmosphere.

Music

Original score

The original score for Falling for Christmas was composed by Nathan Lanier, a known for his cinematic compositions in film and television. Lanier's score consists of 27 instrumental tracks that blend orchestral holiday elements with emotional underscores to support the film's narrative. Key cues highlight the story's arcs, including whimsical pieces like "" and "Making Breakfast" for scenes depicting lodge life, romantic themes in "A Christmas To Remember" for the developing relationship between the protagonists, and a climactic swell in " / Making Memories" tied to the memory recovery sequence. The full score appears on the soundtrack album released by Music on November 11, 2022. The featured songs in Falling for Christmas emphasize the film's holiday spirit through a mix of classic covers and original tracks performed by the cast, contributing to key diegetic moments like the pageant and lodge gatherings. The soundtrack album, titled Falling For (Soundtrack from the Film), was released digitally on November 11, 2022, by Music, featuring 30 tracks that blend vocal performances with instrumental cues. A standout cover is "Jingle Bell Rock," originally written by Joe Beal and Jim Boothe, performed by and during the film's climactic Christmas pageant scene, where the characters join a local holiday performance. This rendition nods to Lohan's earlier association with the song in (2004), but features a fresh arrangement with rap elements contributed by Ali Tomineek on the album version. The track plays a pivotal role in advancing the romantic subplot, as the leads' on-stage chemistry highlights their growing bond. Other diegetic vocal performances include holiday carols sung by lodge guests and staff, such as "" by and "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" by Yo Kinky, which underscore the communal festive atmosphere at the North Star Lodge. These moments, including group sing-alongs of holiday songs like "Two Days of Christmas" by the Studio City Sound Singers, immerse the audience in the setting's warmth without overshadowing the narrative. The film closes with the original end-credits track "Falling for Christmas" by , a lighthearted pop tune that encapsulates the story's themes of rediscovery and holiday romance. also contributes an original, "Everybody Loves Christmas," which accompanies a montage of lodge holiday preparations near the finale. None of these songs achieved significant chart success, but the soundtrack has garnered steady streams on platforms like and , appealing to fans of Lohan's return to acting.

Release and promotion

Distribution

Falling for Christmas premiered exclusively on on November 10, 2022. The film was released simultaneously worldwide, available in over 190 countries where operates. As a original production, the movie received no theatrical distribution, consistent with the streaming service's direct-to-platform model for such content. It carries a TV-PG rating, making it suitable for family audiences during the holiday season.

Marketing

The marketing campaign for Falling for Christmas centered on leveraging Lindsay Lohan's return to acting after a decade-long hiatus, positioning the film as a festive rom-com comeback vehicle within Netflix's broader holiday programming slate. The official trailer debuted on October 7, 2022, across Netflix's YouTube channel, social media platforms, and entertainment outlets, featuring Lohan's character Sierra Belmont in a skiing mishap leading to amnesia and holiday romance, underscored by a nod to her Mean Girls role with a cover of "Jingle Bell Rock." Promotions emphasized social media engagement, with Lohan personally sharing the trailer on , announcing "Christmas has come early" and teasing the film's release, which garnered significant interaction from fans celebrating her career resurgence. Netflix complemented this with posts on and , integrating the film into their fall movie announcements alongside other titles like Bardo and White Noise to build anticipation for the holiday season. Press efforts included virtual and video interviews with Lohan, where she discussed her excitement for rom-coms and the film's heartwarming themes, as featured in Netflix's series and appearances on . These events highlighted her preparation, including stunt training, to underscore authenticity in her performance. The campaign strategically timed the release just before to align with peak viewing trends on streaming platforms.

Reception

Critical response

Falling for Christmas received mixed reviews from critics, with praise centered on Lindsay Lohan's performance and the film's holiday charm, tempered by criticisms of its predictable storyline and lack of originality. On the review aggregator , the film holds a 62% approval rating based on 55 reviews. The site's consensus describes it as "It's no , but viewers in the mood for some fa la la la Lohan will find Falling for Christmas as easy as falling on the couch." Critics frequently highlighted Lohan's charismatic return to the screen as a standout element, noting her ability to infuse the spoiled character with warmth and appeal. Variety commended Lohan for "sleighing" in the role, emphasizing the nostalgic draw of her comeback in a lighthearted rom-com that evokes early-2000s vibes. echoed this, stating that Lohan "steals every scene" with her engaging presence, providing a bright spot amid the formulaic narrative. The festive visuals and feel-good atmosphere also drew positive mentions, with reviewers appreciating the cozy, holiday-centric production design that enhances the film's whimsical tone. However, the plot's reliance on familiar tropes, such as and class-contrast romance, was a common point of criticism, often described as formulaic and underdeveloped. called the film "strictly ho ho-hum," pointing to uneven pacing and a lack of chemistry between Lohan and co-star , which undermined the romantic elements. critiqued it as another entry in Netflix's "ever-expanding library of sludge," labeling the story as algorithm-driven and lacking depth in its side characters. Overall, while the movie was seen as inoffensive holiday entertainment, noted its limited originality, positioning it as a standard but enjoyable romp in the genre.

Audience and viewership

Falling for Christmas garnered substantial viewership on following its November 2022 premiere, topping the English films chart in the United States for two consecutive weeks and ranking number one globally during that period. In its second week, it accumulated 37.85 million hours viewed worldwide and appeared in the top 10 lists across 93 countries. The film marked one of the strongest opening weekends for a original that year, reflecting strong initial audience engagement with its holiday theme. Audience reception highlighted the film's appeal as lighthearted holiday escapism, though scores were mixed. On , it holds a 41% score based on over 500 verified ratings, with viewers appreciating its predictable charm despite criticisms of clichés. Similarly, users rated it 5.3 out of 10 from 32,594 reviews, often commending Lohan's return and the cozy festive vibes over narrative depth. The movie significantly boosted Lindsay Lohan's public profile, paving the way for additional Netflix collaborations including in 2024 and Our Little Secret later that year. Fans particularly enjoyed its embrace of classic rom-com tropes like amnesia-induced makeovers and small-town holiday romance, sparking positive online buzz about its feel-good predictability. Over time, it has established itself as a seasonal rewatch favorite, with 2024 Netflix reports and new holiday releases referencing it as a staple, contributing to sustained viewership during the festive period.

Accolades

Falling for Christmas received in 2023, an accolade awarded to the top 100 theatrically released and top 100 streaming films of 2022 that demonstrate strong gender equity representation both in front of and behind the camera. The film earned no nominations at the , despite some media scrutiny of Lindsay Lohan's career comeback. In December 2022, ranked Falling for Christmas as the 90th best movie of all time. While it garnered no major wins or additional formal recognitions from industry award bodies, internally highlighted the movie as a successful holiday title, contributing to its overall streaming performance metrics.

References

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