Review

Movie Review: Holiday Road
Subtitle: "When Christmas, Road Trips, and Way Too Many Holiday Mishaps Collide in the Most Hilariously Chaotic Way."

“Holiday Road” is Hallmark’s latest holiday masterpiece that’s packed with way too many road trip clichés, holiday disasters, and romantic tension that’s as predictable as your GPS taking you on the longest route possible. If you’ve ever wondered, “What if a family holiday road trip turned into a holiday disaster of epic proportions that somehow still led to the most heartwarming Christmas romance?”—then this movie is everything you didn’t know you needed, wrapped up in a holiday sweater that’s a little too big but perfectly cozy.

The plot follows Casey (played by Brooke D’Orsay, who’s practically a Hallmark Christmas pro), a woman who definitely does not want to be on a holiday road trip. She’s had enough of Christmas chaos and just wants to get to her quiet holiday destination without too much family drama. But, of course, she’s forced to take a cross-country holiday road trip with her way-too-festive family, who insists on making everything way too perfect. Naturally, Casey is definitely not in the holiday spirit, but she’s about to be swept into the chaotic magic of Christmas whether she likes it or not.

Enter Max (played by Kristoffer Polaha, who is way too perfect for this role—I mean, he’s practically Santa’s stand-in for “grumpy but secretly charming”), a guy who’s just as opposed to holiday road trips as Casey but for way different reasons. Max is definitely not in the mood for family bonding—and certainly not for a spontaneous road trip across the country. But, of course, they’re stuck together and, just like that, the predictable holiday romance begins—slowly, awkwardly, and with way too many "We’re definitely not falling for each other" moments.

The humor here is all about the chaos of being in a car for way too long with way too many holiday surprises thrown in at every pit stop. Whether it’s getting lost because the GPS is way too confusing, dealing with way-too-enthusiastic family members who are way too involved in their holiday traditions, or having an accidental snowball fight at every way-too-perfect rest stop, Casey and Max can’t seem to catch a break. The comedy comes from their constant bickering, whether it’s about the best route to take or the most obnoxious Christmas carol to sing along to. It’s like “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation”, but with less baking disasters and more accidental romantic tension.

And, of course, let’s talk about the romance. Every time Casey and Max accidentally share an awkward moment—whether it’s getting stuck in a hotel room together, trapped by a sudden snowstorm, or forced to share a Christmas dinner with way too many people—you can practically hear the Christmas bells ringing as they definitely realize they’re falling for each other. The predictable romantic tension is there, but it’s hilariously perfect in a “we’re definitely not into each other but we’re totally falling in love anyway” kind of way. Every time they accidentally brush hands while trying to fix the car’s way-too-complicated engine problem or share an awkward kiss under a mistletoe (which, let’s be honest, was put there by the family to force the romance), it’s as ridiculously charming as it is so obvious.

The grand finale? Perfectly predictable (because that’s Hallmark). After way too many road trip disasters, too much Christmas magic, and way too many “we’re definitely not falling for each other” moments, Casey and Max finally realize that love, Christmas chaos, and the journey (both literal and emotional) are the best gifts they could give each other. They share the perfect kiss under the perfect Christmas tree, surrounded by way too many family members who knew all along that they were meant to be together.

“Holiday Road” is a delightful mess of way too many Christmas disasters, too much romantic tension, and a holiday road trip that somehow works out perfectly—even if it’s a little too much chaos to handle at times. If you enjoy watching way too much holiday magic, predictable romance, and a road trip that will have you laughing at how chaotic family holidays can be, then grab your coziest blanket, way too much hot cocoa, and get ready for a movie that will have you wishing you could join Casey and Max on their journey to the perfect holiday. 🎄🚗💋