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‘A Christmas Story Christmas’ Review: Nostalgia Is Fragile

The cast of the perennial holiday classic “A Christmas Story” returns for this half-baked legacy sequel.

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By Calum Marsh

“A Christmas Story,” Bob Clark’s bittersweet coming-of-age comedy based on the semi-autobiographical writings of the humorist Jean Shepherd, is that rarest of things: a holiday movie that’s actually good. “A Christmas Story Christmas,” the new legacy sequel, is something much more common: a holiday movie that’s very bad.

It’s an important distinction. “A Christmas Story” has gained in repute enormously since its modest release in 1983, to the extent that it has been firmly entrenched in the seasonal canon, cherished for its credible warmth and sly, mischievous humor. “A Christmas Story Christmas” seems destined for swift obsolescence — lost to the featureless sweep of the streaming ecosystem, where nostalgic cash-ins like this seem to vanish as soon as they materialize. When was the last time you thought about, say, “Coming 2 America”?

There have been other “Christmas Story” sequels over the years, including “My Summer Story” (1994) and “A Christmas Story 2” (2012), one of the most reviled sequels ever. This one boasts a stronger connection to the original: Much of the first film’s cast returns, including Peter Billingsley, who starred as the 9-year-old Ralphie, now almost 40 years older. But while there is a strained effort to pay tribute to a recognized classic — the story follows the aging Ralphie’s attempts to recreate his idyllic childhood Christmas for his own family, which entails a lot of nostalgic reminiscence and winking homages — the director, Clay Kaytis, fails to evoke its enduring magic. (Many of the gags are simply flat by comparison. Kid has his tongue stuck to a pole? Funny. Family snowball fight? Dull.) Mostly it made me want to watch the original, which, as always, remains well worth revisiting.

A Christmas Story Christmas Rated PG. Running time: 1 hour 42 minutes. Watch on HBO Max.

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‘a christmas story christmas’ review: ralphie returns in a forgettable but sweet sequel.

Peter Billingsley reprises his iconic role in this follow-up to the classic holiday perennial.

By Frank Scheck

Frank Scheck

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'a christmas story' at 40: peter billingsley on those 24-hour marathons and the great 'die hard' debate, angus cloud becomes hostage-taker with 'your lucky day' trailer in one of his final film roles, a christmas story christmas.

But he receives sad news from his mom (Julie Hagerty, charmingly replacing the original film’s Melinda Dillon, now retired), who informs him that his beloved “Old Man” (originally played by the late Darren McGavin, given loving tribute here) has suddenly passed away. So Ralphie immediately heads with his family to his childhood home in Indiana, where his mother assigns him the daunting tasks of ensuring that the family has a happy Christmas in spite of their loss and writing his father’s obituary for the local paper. (Although the original house was located in Cleveland, this replica was constructed in Bulgaria, where the film was shot.)

It doesn’t take long for Ralphie to reunite with friends and family members, played by the original performers (seeing them is as jarring as encountering your classmates at a 30 th high-school reunion). They include his chums Schwartz (RD Robb) and Flick (Scott Schwartz), the latter now the owner of the local tavern, and his old nemesis Scut Farcus (Zack Ward), whose current profession is not one you would have guessed. Ralphie also attempts to cajole his brother Randy (Ian Patrella), now a globe-trotting businessman, to return home for the holidays.   

Despite the lack of originality, only a Grinch would get upset at the homages, which have the comforting feel of familiar holiday traditions. Billingsley, still displaying a youthful enthusiasm, has aged into the role of the story’s narrator, although his commentary lacks the amusing folksiness and reflectiveness that Jean Shepherd, the author of the book on which the films are based, brought to it.  

As with the original, the sequel refreshingly doesn’t depict an idealized Christmas, but rather one filled with the messy mishaps that inevitably accompany the holiday. But it also paints a heartwarming portrait of family members and friends lovingly supporting one another. Although nothing in the screenplay by director Clay Kaytis and Nick Schenk (Billingsley, who also produced, has a “screen story” credit) matches the hilarity of the first film’s iconic “Leg Lamp” or frozen flagpole licking incident, there are enough laughs to fuel the proceedings, including an amusing running gag involving the male patrons of Flick’s bar quaking in their boots whenever the phone rings.      

A Christmas Story Christmas will hardly supplant its predecessor as a holiday perennial. Nonetheless, it’s good to know that the Parker family still knows how to have a Yuletide good time after all these years.

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Stream It Or Skip It: ‘A Christmas Story Christmas’ on HBO Max, A “Legacyquel” That Brings the Holiday Cheer

Where to stream:.

• A Christmas Story Christmas
• Jingle Binge

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2022 is apparently all about dusting off old characters for the holidays. After Disney+ gave us a new take on the Sanderson sisters with Hocus Pocus 2 , HBO Max brings back Ralphie in A Christmas Story Christmas . The unlucky kid is now much older … although whether he’s any wiser is anyone’s guess.

A CHRISTMAS STORY CHRISTMAS : STREAM IT OR SKIP IT?

The Gist: Everyone’s favorite woebegone holiday humbug Ralphie (Peter Billingsley) now has two kids of his own when A Christmas Story Christmas finds him in 1973. He’s taking a year off the corporate grind to achieve his dream of writing the next great American novel but his wife’s deadline to get published by the year’s end looms. The unexpected death of his dad means Ralphie now has to be his home’s Father Christmas, ensuring his kids and the entire family have all the fixings for a great holiday. In the absence of a strong head of the house, Ralphie has to face his foibles and fears – many of which have changed little since the last time we saw him in the house on Cleveland Street – to ensure a great Christmas.

What Movies Will It Remind You Of?: Well, obviously, the original 1983 A Christmas Story … though not as heavy-handedly as you might expect. Sure, there’s a brief reappearance of the pink bunny suit, but it’s also quite literally being dredged out of mothballs. The plot of the film more closely resembles another fabled holiday favorite, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation , as Ralphie’s quest to prove himself a worthily providing patriarch for Christmas recalls the travails of Chevy Chase’s Clark Griswold.

Performance Worth Watching: All credit to Peter Billingsley for not just re-playing the hits as Ralphie. His performance doesn’t just reheat what fans have loved about the character for decades, instead offering a thoughtful take on where the character would be at this stage in his life. It’s got just enough recognizable hallmarks of the bashful young boy we remember yet is not so tethered to him that we just see a man-child.

Memorable Dialogue: “Sometimes, if we’re lucky, the yuletide stars shine full upon us in a rare moment of truth,” a reflective adult Ralphie begins the film narrating, “and how we react in these moments can forever seal our fate.” It’s a good indication that the film will operate in a more rueful mode as opposed to going for more laugh lines like the unforgettable “you’ll shoot your eye out!” from the original film.

Sex and Skin: The only “ho ho ho”-ing here is from good old Saint Nick himself.

Our Take: A Christmas Story Christmas avoids the worst trappings of sequels that revive long-dormant characters and stories. This is not just fan service replaying the moments we already know and love. The film actually finds a way to authentically transpose similar moments of humor and heart into a more mature, introspective adult version of the protagonist. Credit to director Clay Kaytis, too, for not giving into the frantic line-o-rama style of modern comedy and actually matching the unhurried pace of the original.

Our Call: STREAM IT! While it’s unlikely TBS will program a 24-hour marathon of A Christmas Story Christmas , this film is still a warm holiday treat. This legacy-quel is trying for something a little different, and it works as its own thing as a nice enough Christmas tale. (For those who just want the original, it’s still there to rewatch for the hundredth time!)

Marshall Shaffer is a New York-based freelance film journalist. In addition to Decider, his work has also appeared on Slashfilm, Slant, Little White Lies and many other outlets. Some day soon, everyone will realize how right he is about  Spring Breakers.

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A Christmas Story Christmas

Follows the now-adult Ralphie as he returns to the house on Cleveland Street to give his kids a magical Christmas like the one he had as a child, reconnecting with childhood friends, and rec... Read all Follows the now-adult Ralphie as he returns to the house on Cleveland Street to give his kids a magical Christmas like the one he had as a child, reconnecting with childhood friends, and reconciling the passing of his Old Man. Follows the now-adult Ralphie as he returns to the house on Cleveland Street to give his kids a magical Christmas like the one he had as a child, reconnecting with childhood friends, and reconciling the passing of his Old Man.

• Clay Kaytis
• Jean Shepherd
• Nick Schenk
• Peter Billingsley
• Erinn Hayes
• River Drosche
• 265 User reviews
• 44 Critic reviews
• 55 Metascore
• 1 nomination

• Ralphie Parker

• Sandy Parker

• Mrs. Parker

• Pulitzer Emcee

• Delbert Bumpus

• Officer Scut Farkus
• Lead Caroler Terence

• Larry Novak
• All cast & crew
• Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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Did you know

• Trivia Peter Billingsley (Ralphie), deliberately adjusted his voice to sound closer to Jean Shepherd , who did the narration as adult Ralphie in the original A Christmas Story (1983) .
• Goofs Ralphie's daughter says she wants the Hungry Hungry Hippos game for Christmas. The movie is set in 1973 and the game wasn't introduced by Hasbro until 1978.

Narrator : Kids ignore every important thing you say, then recall with painful accuracy every incriminating word you've uttered in the last five years.

• Crazy credits There are pictures showing similar scenes from both the original and this sequel during the credits.
• Connections Edited from A Christmas Story (1983)
• Soundtracks We Wish You a Merry Christmas Traditional Arranged by Jeff Morrow

User reviews 265

• nathan-p-hart
• Nov 18, 2022
• How long is A Christmas Story Christmas? Powered by Alexa
• November 17, 2022 (United States)
• United States
• Cleveland, Ohio, USA
• Warner Bros.
• Legendary Entertainment
• Wild West Picture Show Productions
• See more company credits at IMDbPro

Technical specs

• Runtime 1 hour 38 minutes
• Dolby Atmos

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A Christmas Story Christmas Review: Nostalgic Holiday Sequel Might Make You Shoot Your Eye Out

Peter Billingsley's Ralphie returns in a movie that's unlikely to inspire any marathons

Peter Billingsley,  A Christmas Story Christmas

Even after the annual marathons and kitschy merchandising, A Christmas Story is one of the rare holiday fixings that still earns its gauzy charms. By filtering events through little Ralphie Parker's grown-up reminiscence, the 1983 movie evokes the romanticism often attached to childhood memories. It's all a bit of a fantasy, if only because what sticks in Ralphie's mind when he recalls his Yuletide quest for a BB gun is so heightened. The low stakes generate madcap antics most meaningful to a child, or an adult convinced he remembers his childhood in vivid detail.

Since Hollywood can't let a good thing go, Ralphie Parker is back. A Christmas Story Christmas , premiering Nov. 17 on HBO Max, checks in on a Ralphie who has replaced unwanted bunny jumpsuits with unwanted gray hairs. The sequel treads familiar ground, but instead of the reflective narration that gave the original its wink, the new movie features Ralphie chronicling his life in present tense. This is no longer a tale of kid-sized dreams. A Christmas Story Christmas tries to maintain a playful tone, but what results is a drab reminder that adults experience the world in much starker terms than children. 

A Christmas Story Christmas

• Peter Billingsley is still a good Ralphie
• Lacks a compelling plot
• Plays like a greatest-hits medley
• Swaps grainy comfort for glossy bores

Peter Billingsley , who conceptualized the new movie with writer Nick Schenk ( Gran Torino ) , still has the awestruck gaze and cherubic cheeks to pull off Ralphie, now a father of two in 1973. Ralphie recently left his job to become a novelist, leaving the family strapped for cash as he toils away at an unpublishable sci-fi tome called Neptune's Oblivion. As if that weren't traumatizing enough for his supportive wife ( Erinn Hayes ), Ralphie's mother (a batty Julie Hagerty ) phones right before Christmas to inform him that his old man has died. They load up the car to return to the Chicago suburb where Ralphie nearly shot his eye out all those years ago. 

From there, A Christmas Story Christmas strikes an odd tonal balance. Death and regret loom on the periphery, but the movie is too committed to recounting its predecessor's greatest hits to acknowledge such weightiness with any credibility. This turkey has no meat on its bones, so Billingsley, Schenk, and director Clay Kaytis ( The Christmas Chronicles ) juice it up with a dose of reality that goes nowhere. It's a movie about a parent wanting to execute a perfect holiday despite familial loss, which isn't much of a plot if no one actually contends with the loss. 

A Christmas Story Christmas rambles along, reintroducing us to what came before: Flick ( Scott Schwartz ) and Schwartz ( R.D. Robb ), former schoolyard bully Scut Farkus ( Zack Ward ), "hillbilly" neighbors, the gleaming department store Higbee's, fickle fuses, triple-dog dares. (Thankfully, this one skips the Chinese stereotyping.) In substituting the original's comforting graininess for uninspired gloss, the callbacks seem artificial, shoved into the script like boxes checked on a to-do list. No character feels anything half as strong as the desperation Ralphie once showed for that BB gun, which hollows out the momentum.

Another recent sequel, Hocus Pocus 2 , faced a similar dilemma . Lacking an organic reason to resurrect those beloved characters, the film injected a cheesy message about the power of sisterhood as a way to manufacture meaning. In a sense, A Christmas Story is to December what Hocus Pocus is to October. The 24-hour loop that TNT and TBS have aired since 1997 turned the former into one of the most canonized American films ever made, a bar few follow-ups can clear. At least Hocus Pocus 2 coasted on Bette Midler's charisma. A Christmas Story Christmas can't pinpoint anything as humorous as the disconnect between Ralphie's perspective and that of his parents, and none of the actors survive its forced whimsy. Even the narration, performed by Billingsley instead of the late humorist Jean Shepherd, lacks the original's sprightly urgency.

At what point do objectionable sequels like A Christmas Story Christmas , Hocus Pocus 2 , and Halloween Ends deplete their brands? Hocus Pocus 2 had the most-watched streaming debut in history, but did viewers come away feeling fed? The traditions these movies inspire become a little less special when their present-day incarnations are so bland. Sure, it's just a harmless sequel, but A Christmas Story Christmas might leave you feeling like the adult Ralphie did in 1983, peering into the snow globe of your memories to recall a more idealized time. 

Premieres:  Thursday, Nov. 17 on HBO Max Who's in it:  Peter Billingsley, Julie Hagerty, Ian Petrella, Scott Schwartz, R.D. Robb, Zack Ward, Erinn Hayes  Who's behind it:  Clay Kaytis (director, co-screenwriter), Nick Schenk (co-screenwriter), Peter Billingsley (story by) For fans of:  Not getting what you wanted for Christmas

‘A Christmas Story Christmas’ fires off bits of nostalgia like Red Ryder BB’s

Peter billingsley, star of the beloved 1983 holiday movie, returns as a dad going back to his indiana hometown..

Once a boy breathlessly excited about Santa’s arrival, Ralphie (Peter Billingsley) now is a dad trying to stir up holiday spirit in his own children (Julianna Layne, left, and River Drosche) in “A Christmas Story Christmas.”

Warner Bros.

If Hollywood delivered a decades-later sequel titled “It’s Still a Wonderful Life” that picked up the story of Zuzu Bailey as a middle-aged florist undergoing her own existential crisis, or “Another Miracle on 34th Street,” with Susan Walker all grown up and having forgotten she once believed in Kris Kringle, you wouldn’t expect either to be great, right? You might even question the wisdom of anyone even attempting such a follow-up.

That’s how I felt when I heard about “A Christmas Story Christmas,” the long discussed and finally realized sequel to the 1983 cultural touchstone. Was it wise to drop in on the life of the adult Ralphie Parker after all these years? Isn’t there something magical about Ralphie and the Old Man and Flick and Schwartz and all the rest forever frozen in nostalgia?

Remember or not, we actually did get a sequel to “It’s a Wonderful Life” in the forgettable and regrettable 1990 Family Channel movie “Clarence,” with Robert Carradine (!) as the angel Clarence Odbody, and there WAS a sequel of sorts to “A Christmas Story” in “A Christmas Story 2” (2012), a straight-to-DVD release set six years after the events of “A Christmas Story.” with a young fellow named Braeden Lemasters as a teenage Ralphie and Daniel Stern as the Old Man. Still, it’s as if “A Christmas Story 2” never existed for 99.9% of the population.

Now comes a legitimate sequel: “A Christmas Story Christmas,” directed by Clay Kaytis and based on the characters and writings of Jean Shepherd. You won’t be surprised to hear it’s not the equal of the original, but it succeeds as a sweet, family-friendly follow-up, with the welcome return of Peter Billingsley as Ralph and a number of other actors back in their iconic roles. It’s a bit like attending a 40-year reunion and telling old stories while trying to re-create a few of those crazy adventures from days gone by.

The exact year of “A Christmas Story” was never specified (it’s either 1940 or 1941), but the kitchen calendar informs us the sequel is set in December of 1973, with Billingsley’s Ralphie Parker serving as our narrator, telling us we’re at “our humble abode on the South Side of [Chicago], just like I remember in all of its yellow, orange and avocado green glory.” Ralphie is married to the lovely and kind Sandy (Erinn Hayes), and they have two adorable children, Mark (River Drosche) and Julie (Julianna Layne), who are very excited for Christmas, which will really kick into gear when Ralphie’s parents arrive in Chicago in a couple of days. In the meantime, Ralphie is desperately trying to sell his first novel, a 2,000-page sci-fi opus titled “Neptune’s Oblivion,” which has been rejected by more than a dozen publishers. (Hmmm, if only Ralphie would consider writing about experiences closer to home…)

Then comes the call from Ralphie’s mother. The Old Man is gone.

Ralphie, Sandy and the kids make the drive to Ralphie’s hometown of Hohman, Indiana, where they’ll spend the holidays with Ralphie’s mom (Julie Hagerty) in “our old house on Cleveland Street [that] looked like it had been frozen in time.”

Indeed it does. But given the Old Man has died, doesn’t that mean Christmas will be put on hold for a memorial service? The script handles that issue by having Ralphie’s mom say, “All that can wait. Your father was so excited about Christmas. If he saw us moping around, he’d throw a fit.” This gives the family license to embark on a series of adventures involving snowball fights; battles with some local bullies; the quest for the perfect toys; a couple of slapstick injuries, and of course, a visit to Higbee’s Department Store, with its amazing window displays, and a Santa Claus who still sits way up high and a helper elf who dumps kids down a precarious slide.

Director Kaytis indulges in a few fun stylistic flourishes, e.g., a snowball fight is filmed like a shootout in a Spaghetti Western, but for the most part, “A Christmas Story Christmas” is rendered in a low-key, straightforward style, as Ralphie struggles with the loss of his father, his flailing writing career and a number of setbacks to his plans for a perfect Christmas. In the process, he reconnects with pivotal figures from his past, including Flick (Scott Schwartz), who has inherited Flick’s Tavern from his old man; Schwartz (R.D. Robb), who famously triple-dog dared Flick to stick his tongue on that frozen pole and these days is running up a huge tab at Flick’s Tavern and living with his mom, and the notorious Scott “Scut” Farkus (Zack Ward), and we’ll leave it to you to discover what happened to ol’ Farkus. (Ralphie’s younger brother Randy, best remembered for being rendered immobile by too many layers of winter clothing, also makes an appearance, with Ian Petrella reprising the role.)

“A Christmas Story Christmas” features the occasional quick clip from the first film, and the closing credits remind us of just how many scenes in the sequel mirror events from the original. If watching “A Christmas Story” is a part of your annual holiday ritual, you might want to make time to catch the sequel. It’ll make for a warm double helping of Christmas nostalgia.

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A Christmas Story Christmas review – a pure joy filled nostalgic ride

We review the HBO Max film A Christmas Story Christmas, which does not contain spoilers.

Thirty-nine years after the original film debut, we have a sequel to a holiday classic, A Christmas Story , titled A Christmas Story Christmas . What a mouthful that is. Does the movie fit well with the original? Let’s dive in.

The movie kicks off with Ralphie narrating what has gone down since being a little kid. He is married with a pair of kids and is in the middle of writing a novel. Every year his parents travel to meet with the family to have a big Christmas in Chicago. Ralphie sent his book to 16 publishers, and 14 said no. Finally, a publishing company agrees to meet with him only because he wouldn’t stop writing them. They also said they weren’t interested in the book.

Moments later, Ralphie gets a call that his father has passed away. While he wants to be down in the dumps over it, his mother tells him that that is not what his father would’ve liked. The pressure to make Christmas perfect for everyone starts to take a toll on Ralphie. Not that the pressure wasn’t enough, Ralphie’s mom asked him to write his father’s obituary. It might be the hardest thing that he has ever had to write.

Peter Billingsley was made for the role of Ralphie. He brought so much life to this role that makes you smile, laugh, and empathize with what Ralphie is going through. You can tell how much passion was put in between his acting and narrating throughout the film. It was almost as if he took it personally to ensure that they kept the legacy of the original intact—genuinely outstanding work by Billingsley.

Speaking of the original, one of the more impressive things about the film was how much it had that authentic feel. Taking us back into the old town and seeing the houses and flashbacks, you can’t help but be reeled into this world, and I loved it. They even used some similar notes to the original score. Of course, using many of the original actors from the first film helped out too. The writers and people behind the scenes knew they had to handle this story delicately and knocked it out of the park.

Look, I was very nervous about this movie because the original is a Valero household staple during the holiday season. My wife plays it ALL DAY during Christmas. But honestly, this movie is incredible. It’s funny, charming, and filled with so much nostalgia. They did right by the original, which makes me so happy. I can’t wait to add this to the yearly holiday watch schedule.

Overall, A Christmas Story Christmas aligns with the other great nostalgic films of the year ( Top Gun: Maverick , Clerks III ). You will laugh, cry, laugh, and be in the most incredible, joyous mood after you are done watching it. It’s the perfect movie to jumpstart your Christmas spirit. You won’t want to miss this one.

What did you think of A Christmas Story Christmas? Comment below.

Additional reading:

• A Christmas Story Christmas ending explained .
• What are the 5 scariest and most violent Christmas movies?
• Best Christmas Movies To Watch Out For This Year

Article by Ricky Valero

Ricky Valero joined Ready Steady Cut in January 2022 as a Film and TV writer and critic, and since then has published over 700 articles on the website. Ricky, a recognized movie critic, has been writing about films for almost a decade. Since joining the industry, he has covered numerous movie festivals, including Sundance Film Festival, AFI Fest, and SXSW Festival, and is a member of the prestigious Critics Choice Association.

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A Christmas Story

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Rent A Christmas Story on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, or buy it on Fandango at Home, Prime Video.

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Both warmly nostalgic and darkly humorous, A Christmas Story deserves its status as a holiday perennial.

Critics Reviews

Audience reviews, cast & crew.

Peter Billingsley

Ralph 'Ralphie' Parker

W. Lyle Richardson

Melinda Dillon

Mrs. Parker

Ian Petrella

Randy Parker

Scotty Schwartz

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‘A Christmas Story Christmas’ Review: Another Forgettable Entry in the Holiday Sequel Annals

Kate erbland, editorial director.

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When Bob Clark’s “ A Christmas Story ” hit theaters the week before Thanksgiving 1983, no one could have foreseen the cultural impact the family comedy would have on the holiday film canon. A modest box office showing (it took in $2 million its first week and failed to crack $20 million during its full run), mixed reviews , and some awards attention from Canada’s Genie Awards added up to a hazy picture of a film that was good enough but hardly a game-changer. Later, of course, came the television airings, landing the film in near-constant rotation during the holiday season and turning it into an unexpected holiday favorite. Familiarity, it seems, didn’t breed contempt when it came to this TNT and TBS staple; it only inspired outright adoration.

Nearly 40 years after the film’s initial release — and just in time to capitalize on those same TV showings that will carry it through the next six weeks — comes the inevitable: a sequel. There’s certainly fertile ground to cover here, as both Clay Kaytis’ clunkily titled “ A Christmas Story Christmas ” and its predecessor were inspired by Jean Shepherd’s sprawling “Parker Family Saga,” based on the author’s own stories, which in turn led to books, radio plays, movies (including “A Christmas Story 2,” which does not exist in this new timeline), and much more.

And yet, despite the apparent warmth with which Kaytis, co-screenwriter Nick Schenk, and returning star and co-writer Peter Billingsley approach the material, whatever magic propelled the original to holiday film canon glory is sorely lacking. Also lacking: availability. Thanks to the magic of contractual agreements, the streaming-only feature will likely never appear in rotation on the same cable channels that made the original such a hit. Instead, it will exist as a curiosity only available to the HBO Max subscriber faithful and the Parker family super-fans who seek it out. Forgettable in execution and  convoluted in availability? It’s enough to make a fan want to shoot their eye out.

Set in the ’70s, “A Christmas Story Christmas” finds our hero Ralphie (Billingsley) taking on the role of patriarch of the Parker family. He’s a husband and father, a struggling writer, and things are challenging even before he gets some heartbreaking news: his father (aka The Old Man) passed away just days before Christmas. Suddenly, making the holiday bright isn’t just an ideal to strive for; it’s the only thing that can cheer up his heartbroken family, particularly his beloved mother (Julie Hagerty, replacing original star Melinda Dillon, who retired over a decade ago).

Soon enough, Ralph, wife Sandy (Erinn Hayes, who has great chemistry with everyone, especially Hagerty), and cute kids Mark (River Drosche) and Julie (Julianna Layne) are hightailing it out of their avocado-green Chicago apartment to head home to Hohman, Indiana, to have the kind of Christmas the Parkers have made their bread and butter. That means folksy anecdotes about Midwest living, kids obsessing over essential presents, and salivating over the sparkling windows of local department store Higbee’s. Lies about Santa are told, casseroles are consumed, and a genial tone reigns supreme, even if it is often deflated by increasingly convoluted storylines and a fairly understandable interest in stuffing the film with winks and nods to the original.

And, yes, nods to the first film run the gamut, from the eye-rollingly obvious (Ralph tries to sweeten up a potential publisher with a holiday gift, just as he did with his teacher so many years ago) to the genuinely fun (the Parkers’ neighbors, the Bumpus clan, continue to offer a home for a large pack of carousing dogs, with a snuggly addition). Billingsley is joined by a cadre of other returning stars, like his old pals Flick (Scott Schwartz) and Schwartz (R.D. Robb), his little brother Randy (Ian Petrella), and forever nemesis Scut Farkus (Zack Ward), which adds some sparkle to the entire outing.

Inevitably, many lessons are learned (are Ralph and Sandy coddling their kids? do bullies ever change? is a “triple dog dare” really the worst thing you can be challenged with?), and mistakes are met with both laughs and understanding. The Old Man is retconned into being the biggest, best champion of Christmas in the entire world, a bastion of holiday cheer and happiness, a glossy take on a lovingly curmudgeonly character, and one that totally misses the point of his appeal.

No one tries to assemble a leg lamp. One person does nearly get their eye shot out. A kid pukes on Santa. Play the hits!

But there’s something oddly manufactured about this whole thing. If “A Christmas Story” was an unexpected hit that took off because of its offbeat charm and amusing familiarity, Kaytis’ film feels crafted totally in its image, afraid to be its own thing at nearly every turn. Fans of the first film will likely be beset by the sense that something is just slightly off about everything in “A Christmas Story Christmas,” like the persistent voiceover from Billingsley (who takes over from the dulcet tones of Shepherd himself, who memorably narrated the first film) to the meticulously recreated Parker family home (built from the ground up in Europe, whereas the original was shot in Cleveland).

It’s not a sequel; it’s a replica. And while that might bring some comfort and joy during the holiday season, wouldn’t you rather savor the real thing?

“A Christmas Story Christmas” starts streaming on HBO Max on Thursday, November 17.

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‘A Christmas Story Christmas’ Trailer: Ralphie Is All Grown Up in Holiday Sequel Released Nearly 40 Years Later

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Almost 40 years after the release of the original, HBO Max dropped the official trailer for “ A Christmas Story Christmas,” heralding the start of the holiday season and the return of original star Peter Billingsley as Ralphie Parker.

Popular on Variety

Clay Kaytis (“The Christmas Chronicles,”) is directing the feature, which was executive produced and written by Nick Schenk. The film is being produced through Warner Bros., Legendary and Wild West Picture Show Productions.

“A Christmas Story Christmas” will be separate from the previous “Christmas Story” sequels, such as 1994’s “It Runs in the Family” or the TV musical “A Christmas Story Live!” The original film was considered a failure upon its debut, but has become a beloved holiday favorite over the last few decades.

The film releases on HBO Max on Nov. 17. Watch the trailer below.

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‘A Christmas Story Christmas’ Review: Ralphie’s Return Mixes New Holiday Gags With Labored Fan Service

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Because 1983’s “ A Christmas Story ” has achieved iconic status among holiday movies and has become a nostalgic cornerstone to millions of fans who revisit it every December, it’s easy to forget that the film’s initial success came from its skewering of nostalgia itself.

The original tagline ironically called the film “A Tribute to the Original, Traditional, One-Hundred-Percent, Red-Blooded, Two-Fisted, All-American Christmas,” and director Bob Clark’s adaptation of Jean Shepherd’s comic reminiscences struck a chord precisely because it revealed the greed, venality, occasional cruelty, and recognizably human behavior that lurked beneath the Norman Rockwell façade of hazy Yuletide memories.

After several unsuccessful attempts to craft a sequel to Clark’s film, we finally get “A Christmas Story Christmas,” which brings back several of the original movie’s cast members. While it spends perhaps too much of its running time either recreating or directly quoting moments from its 1983 predecessor, it still manages to land some new and original gags of its own.

Also Read: 4 Original ‘A Christmas Story’ Cast Members Return for Sequel

The first film harkened back four decades to the 1940s, and this sequel looks back to December 1973, which finds middle-aged Ralphie ( Peter Billingsley , who also produced and co-wrote) in the bleak midwinter of his discontent: He’s got until the end of the year to find a publisher for his science-fiction magnum opus (which 14 of a possible 15 companies have already rejected), and he gets a call from his mom ( Julie Hagerty , taking over for Melinda Dillon) telling him that his larger-than-life father, “the Old Man,” has passed away.

Also Read: Vince Vaughn-Produced Comedy ‘Christmas With the Campbells’ Acquired by RLJE, AMC+

Ralphie’s parents usually come to Chicago for the holidays, but his dad’s passing means he needs to take his family — wife Sandy (Erinn Hayes, “Bill and Ted Face the Music”), son Mark (River Drosche, “Miracle Workers”) and daughter Julie (Julianna Layne, “Prodigal Son”) — back to the old homestead to throw a “perfect” Christmas in his father’s honor. Attempts at perfection are, of course, a recipe for disaster, and one after another occurs, from the theft of the Christmas presents to an escalating series of winter-related injuries befalling all of Ralphie’s family members.

Going home gives Ralphie the opportunity to reconnect with old pals like Flick (Scott Schwartz) and Schwartz (R.D. Robb), as well as former nemesis Scut Farkus (Zack Ward), and “A Christmas Story Christmas” takes every opportunity to insert old footage to remind us of their (and much of the audience’s) childhood. Director Clay Katis did a brilliant job of updating the “Peanuts” TV specials with this year’s “To Mom (and Dad), With Love,” and when he trusts the new material and his talented ensemble, he scores some wonderful new comedic moments, from the family attempting to avoid aggressive carolers to Ralphie skillfully completing the holiday shopping while his wife and mom knock back martinis in the lounge at Higbee’s department store.

Too often, alas, the film falls into the sequel trap of “we did it then, we gotta do it again now.” It doesn’t dip into this repetition as aggressively as, say, “Coming 2 America,” but these hollow callbacks often feel like a betrayal of both the original film and the hilarious writing that inspired it. (In the narration department, Billingsley is no Jean Shepherd, but to be fair, it’s never as evocative to narrate in the present tense as it is to look backwards.)

Also Read: Peacock to Become Hallmark Streaming Partner, Just in Time for Christmas

It’s always a pleasure to see Hagerty, and Hayes takes a mostly underwritten role and imbues it with comic warmth. There isn’t a ton for the returning vets to do, but Christmas has always been a time to run into people you used to know, see how they’ve aged, give them a hug, and then walk away when everyone runs out of conversation.

Mostly filmed in Bulgaria, this sequel nails the wintry midwestern feel of the material, and the 1973 period touches look accurate without getting too cartoonish. “A Christmas Story Christmas” won’t ever stand up on its own in the holiday pantheon, but unlike “A Summer Story” or the direct-to-video “A Christmas Story 2,” it makes for a suitable decoration to hang off the original.

“A Christmas Story Christmas” premieres on HBO Max Nov. 17.

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A christmas story christmas, common sense media reviewers.

Sequel to holiday fave has language, injuries, drinking.

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Family is priority. Nobody is ever prepared to los

Ralphie and Sandy are attentive parents. Mrs. Park

Most characters are White Midwesterners.

People grieve the loss of loved ones. Kids bully e

A married couple kisses. A boy looks at an underwe

"Hell," "damn," "dammit," "ass," "dumbass," "son o

Lots of brands glimpsed, notably Smith Corona, Whi

Men spend a lot of time drinking in a bar, and one

Parents need to know that A Christmas Story Christmas is a sequel to the beloved 1983 film and features many of the same characters and actors (including star Peter Billingsley). It has lots of positive messages about family and friendship, as well as many scenes involving adults drinking, kids clamoring for…

Positive Messages

Family is priority. Nobody is ever prepared to lose loved ones, but life goes on. Parents want to make the holidays special for their kids. Friends can last a lifetime. Sometimes success comes in unexpected ways.

Positive Role Models

Ralphie and Sandy are attentive parents. Mrs. Parker is too, though she picks on her daughter-in-law. Kids bully each other, and so do some adults. Friends are there for each other, even after years apart. A person who was a bully as a child admits he learned a positive lesson when he was put in his place. People love each other despite imperfections.

Diverse Representations

Did we miss something on diversity? Suggest an update.

Violence & Scariness

People grieve the loss of loved ones. Kids bully each other. People fall down and have sledding accidents that include falling from heights and ramming head-on into cars and lampposts. Kids break limbs and have to be taken to the hospital with injuries. Two kids are set up by other kids to have a snowmobile accident.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Sex, Romance & Nudity

A married couple kisses. A boy looks at an underwear catalog.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

"Hell," "damn," "dammit," "ass," "dumbass," "son of a bitch," "suckers," "suck," "nuts," "turds," "piss," "snot," "jeez."

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Products & Purchases

Lots of brands glimpsed, notably Smith Corona, White Sox, Blatz, Old Milwaukee, Scrabble, and Easy-Bake.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

Men spend a lot of time drinking in a bar, and one wakes up very late the next day. A young boy is allowed to help behind the bar. Adults drink wine and cocktails.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that A Christmas Story Christmas is a sequel to the beloved 1983 film and features many of the same characters and actors (including star Peter Billingsley ). It has lots of positive messages about family and friendship, as well as many scenes involving adults drinking, kids clamoring for toys for Christmas, and both kids and adults bullying each other. Characters fall down and have sledding accidents that include falling from heights, ramming head-on into cars and lampposts, breaking limbs, and being taken to the hospital with injuries. People grieve the loss of loved ones. A boy looks at an underwear catalog, and a child is allowed to help behind a bar. Language includes "hell," "damn," "ass," "dumbass," "son of a bitch," "suckers," "suck," "nuts," "turds," "piss," "snot," and "jeez." To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails .

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Community Reviews

• Parents say (7)
• Kids say (5)

Based on 7 parent reviews

Way too much alcohol

What's the story.

Ralphie Parker ( Peter Billingsley ) is all grown up and married with two kids in A Christmas Story Christmas . With the support of his wife, Sandy ( Erinn Hayes ), he's taking a year off work to complete a novel, and his self-imposed deadline is Christmas. The holidays are fast approaching, and the Parker kids, Mark (River Droshe) and Julie (Julianna Layne), are excited to spend the holidays with their grandparents. On the eve of their anticipated visit, Ralphie gets a call from his mom ( Julie Hagerty ) that his dad has passed away. Now the Parkers will have to return to Ralphie's hometown in Indiana to mourn his dad and spend the holidays among old friends and old haunts. The pressure is on for Ralphie to live up to his dad's superior holiday-celebrating chops and also to meet his publishing deadline.

Is It Any Good?

This film knows its audience, which will likely be comprised of the beloved 1983 original 's nostalgic fans. A Christmas Story Christmas caters to them with flashbacks, updated storylines and characters, and an ending that comes full circle back to the original. The film's highlights are some very smart commentary on family, love, and loss, particularly around the death of a beloved character. "Nothing can prepare us for one of life's most painful and inescapable events," Ralph tells us in voice-over. Another gem: "Attics are museums of indifference." The reflections make you believe Ralph could be a great writer, as he dreams. He also still has a comically wild imagination, like when he envisions an Old West-style snowball showdown or a Norman Rockwell-esque family magazine spread. A scene where family members go to great lengths to avoid opening the door to carolers is very funny.

You don't have to have seen the earlier films to appreciate or enjoy this one. Set in 1974 (the original took place in the 1940s), this is a time when kids play with axes, they're told to solve their problems on their own, mothers-in-law mercilessly tease their son's wives, and men avoid their families at downtown bars. Some of this humor can be funny even while feeling anachronistic, but other scenes evoke more cringes than cackles, like when we're meant to laugh at people getting seriously injured or when kids who are bullied turn into bullies themselves. Through it all, Ralphie remains a sympathetic character, an everyman hero who triumphs at the important things: family, friendship, and fathering.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about how A Christmas Story Christmas updates and calls back to the characters and story of the original film and prior sequel .

How are the 1970s portrayed in this film? What did you notice that is different today?

What lesson did Farkus learn? Do you think we're supposed to assume that his kids will learn the same?

Movie Details

• On DVD or streaming : November 17, 2022
• Cast : Peter Billingsley , Erinn Hayes , Julie Hagerty
• Director : Clay Kaytis
• Inclusion Information : Female actors
• Studio : Warner Bros.
• Genre : Family and Kids
• Topics : Friendship , Holidays
• Run time : 101 minutes
• MPAA rating : PG
• MPAA explanation : language and some rude material/behavior
• Last updated : May 18, 2023

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

Suggest an Update

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Flickering Myth

Geek Culture | Movies, TV, Comic Books & Video Games

Movie Review – A Christmas Story Christmas (2022)

December 5, 2022 by Robert Kojder

A Christmas Story Christmas , 2022.

Directed by Clay Kaytis. Starring Peter Billingsley, Erinn Hayes, Scott Schwartz, R.D. Robb, Zack Ward, Julie Hagerty, Julianna Layne, River Drosche, Ian Petrella, Davis Murphy, Mark Arnold, Mariana Stansheva, Billy Brayshaw, and Tegan Grace Muggeridge.

Follows the now-adult Ralphie as he returns to the house on Cleveland Street to give his kids a magical Christmas like the one he had as a child, reconnecting with childhood friends, and reconciling the passing of his Old Man.

Decades after receiving the greatest Christmas gift of all time (the now infamous Red Ryder Carbine Action 200-shot Range Model air rifle), A Christmas Story Christmas (the first sequel to reunite several of these actors) sees Ralphie Parker (played by a returning Peter Billingsley) in the hot seat trying to put together the perfect Christmas for his family (if such a thing exists).

Now in his mid-forties, Ralphie lives with his wife (Erinn Hayes as Sandy Parker) and two children, Mark and Julie (played by River Drosche and Julianna Layne, respectively), having relocated from his childhood home in the fictional Hohman, Indiana, to Chicago, Illinois trying to make it as a writer and get a manuscript published (what little we do learn of the book makes it sound like a generic sci-fi story).

Given that A Christmas Story has played marathons running from Christmas Eve through Christmas Day since the 1990s and presumably still brings in decent viewership, it would be unfair to question how many people would be interested in an actual sequel that brings back Peter Billingsley, especially in an age where anything remotely tied to nostalgia is received with open arms if it’s done right or justifiably mocked if handled with shameless indolence and indulgence.

However, there is reason to wonder how many people will care about a follow-up primarily concerned with whether Ralphie will or won’t legitimize himself as a writer, something that most viewers will see right through as a means to take the character on an arc of personalizing his storytelling, ultimately leading into the beloved story of his favorite Christmas.

Is it a clever piece of connective tissue? Sure. It also gives TNT and TBS reasons to, in the future, once Warner Brothers is ready to license the film from its streaming home of HBO Max to cable television, splitting up their marathons, especially considering both films lead right into each other. It’s as if that was the only note director Clay Kaytis (a rising staple of the genre, having created the Kurt Russell-led Christmas Chronicles , here writing alongside frequent Clint Eastwood collaborator Nick Schenk, with Peter Billingsley also receiving a screen story credit) was given, which again, is somewhat thoughtful but simultaneously a cheap and manipulative corporate move to benefit streaming services and TV networks. 

Whatever side one personally lands on that discussion, it also doesn’t take away from A Christmas Story Christmas coming across as head-scratching in a “wait, that’s what this movie is about” way. That’s not to say Ralphie doesn’t interact with his family and plan for Christmas, but even the gifts his kids want are bland. The family is an afterthought, without a memorable character, which is somewhat unforgivable since part of the major appeal to the first movie is a lovable family ensemble among a boy’s obsession with obtaining a present that, while it certainly is dangerous and a lesson learned in the end, viewers want to see him open up and play with.

A Christmas Story Christmas ops to tell a more serious story (utilizing almost nonstop narration once again), as this particular Christmas will be the first without Ralphie’s father, the Old Man. For the occasion, the family has traveled back to Cleveland Street and stays with his mom (now played by Julie Hagerty) in a bizarre state of mind following the death.

As a result, Ralphie is feeling the pressure to oversee Christmas for the first time, which does open the story up for a couple of intriguing scenes about overthinking holiday preparations and perceiving Christmas through the eyes of your childhood self (one reason some of the Easter Eggs and nostalgic references are acceptable here, aside from the occasional moment of utter laziness like redoing a scene of the family car breaking down).

The script doesn’t really pull on those threads too hard, content with introducing as many parallel elements of the first film as possible (bullies, neighbors, dogs, returning characters, etc.). It’s also disappointing that this sequel is so beholden to conventional storytelling when A Christmas Story is so narratively loose and freewheeling; part of the reason TV viewership is so healthy during the holidays is that one can turn on that movie and, regardless of where it is, jump right in for some charm and enjoyment. It’s a series of mischief and hijinks more interested in capturing a snapshot of Christmas as a child (based on Jean Shepherd’s semi-fictional book In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash ) rather than telling an actual story and has always been all the better for it. Even Ralphie’s adult daydreams lack the whimsical imagination of the film’s predecessor.

It is mildly amusing seeing what this small town is up to and how these filmmakers are interpreting characters new and old, and there are some laughs (whenever Ralphie catches up with childhood friends in a nearby bar, the film finds its comedic footing). Other times, there’s just no rhyme or reason to what’s happening; it’s revealed that Ralphie’s wife Sandy enjoys figure skating, just so that she can injure her leg while leaving the house. That’s the joke: nothing is actually done with it. Or rather, the running joke is that everyone in the family hurts themselves in some form while Ralphie scrambles to impress on Christmas.

Oddly enough, A Christmas Story Christmas feels stuck between paying respects to A Christmas Story and functioning as a far less funny, family-friendly forgettable version of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation . Even though there is some sincerity in exploring the machinations of what it means to put together a great Christmas, especially in the wake of losing a loved one and while processing grief (the latter of which thankfully never feels melodramatic), the Christmas spark and magic are missing.

It’s worth watching for fans, and some might even be able to convince themselves it’s good, but to do so would be no better than watching (in the first film) the Old Man talk himself into believing the leg-lamp giveaway prize is exciting and valuable. A Christmas Story Christmas is as nondescript as what gifts the kids are asking for here.

Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★  / Movie: ★ ★ ★

Robert Kojder is a member of the Chicago Film Critics Association and the Critics Choice Association. He is also the Flickering Myth Reviews Editor. Check  here  for new reviews, follow my  Twitter  or  Letterboxd , or email me at [email protected]

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Movie Reviews

Tv/streaming, collections, great movies, chaz's journal, contributors, a christmas story.

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There are many small but perfect moments in "A Christmas Story," and one of the best comes after the Lifebouy is finally removed from Ralphie's mouth and he is sent off to bed. His mother studies the bar, thinks for a moment, and then sticks it in her own mouth, just to see what it tastes like. Moments like that are why some people watch "A Christmas Story" every holiday season. There is a real knowledge of human nature beneath the comedy.

The movie is based on the memoirs of Jean Shepherd, the humorist whose radio programs and books remembered growing up in Indiana in the 1940s. It is Shepherd's voice on the soundtrack, remembering one Christmas season in particular, and the young hero's passionate desire to get a Daisy Red Ryder 200-shot Carbine Action BB Gun for Christmas--the one with the compass in the stock, "as cool and deadly a piece of weaponry as I had ever laid eyes on."

I owned such a weapon. I recall everything about it at this moment with a tactile memory so vivid I could have just put it down to write these words. How you stuffed newspapers into the carton it came in to use it for target practice. How the BBs came in a cardboard tube with a slide-off top. How they rattled when you poured them into the gun. And of course how everybody warned that you would shoot your eye out.

Ralphie's life is made a misery by that danger. He finds that nobody in northern Indiana (not his mother, not his teacher, not even Santa Claus) is able to even think about a BB gun without using the words "shoot your eye out." At one point in the movie, in a revenge daydream, he knocks on his parents' door with dark glasses, a blind man's cane and a beggar's tin cup. They are shocked, and ask him tearfully what caused his blindness, and he replies coolly, "Soap poisoning."

The movie is not only about Christmas and BB guns, but also about childhood, and one detail after another rings true. The school bully, who, when he runs out of victims, beats up on his own loyal sidekick. The little brother who has outgrown his snowsuit, which is so tight that he walks around looking like the Michelin man; when he falls down he can't get up. The aunt who always thinks Ralphie is a 4-year-old girl, and sends him a pink bunny suit. Other problems of life belong to that long-ago age and not this one: clinkers in the basement coal furnace, for example, or the blowout of a tire. Everybody knows what a flat tire is, but many now alive have never experienced a genuine, terrifying loud instantaneous blowout.

"A Christmas Story" was released in the Christmas season of 1983, and did modest business at first (people don't often go to movies with specific holiday themes). It got warm reviews and two Genie Awards (the Canadian Oscars) for Bob Clark's direction and for the screenplay. And then it moved onto home video and has been a stealth hit season after season, finding a loyal audience. "Bams," for example, one of the critics at the hip Three Black Chicks movie review Web site, confesses she loves it: "How does one describe, in short form, the smiles and shrieks of laughter one has experienced over more than 15 years of seeing the same great movie over and over, without sounding like a babbling, fanboyish fool who talks too much?"

The movie is set in Indiana but was filmed mostly around Toronto, with some downtown shots from Cleveland, by Clark, whose other big hits were " Porky's " and " Baby Geniuses ." It is pitch-perfect, telling the story through the enthusiastic and single-minded vision of its hero Ralphie, and finding in young Peter Billingsley a sly combination of innocence and calculation.

Ralphie's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Parker, are played by Darren McGavin and Melinda Dillon , and they exude warmth, zest and love: They are about the nicest parents I can remember in a non-smarmy movie. Notice the scene where Mrs. Parker gets her younger son, Randy, to eat his food by pretending he is "mommy's little piggie." Watch the delight in their laughter together. And the enthusiasm with which the Old Man (as he is always called) attacks the (unseen) basement furnace, battles with the evil neighbor dogs and promises to change a tire in "four minutes flat--time me!" And the lovely closing moment as the parents tenderly put their arms around each other on Christmas night.

Some of the movie's sequences stand as classic. The whole business, for example, of the Old Man winning the "major award" of a garish lamp in the shape of a woman's leg (watch Mrs. Parker hiding her giggles in the background as he tries to glue it together after it is "accidentally" broken). Or the visit by Ralphie and Randy to a department store Santa Claus, whose helpers spin the terrified kids around to bang them down on Santa's lap, and afterward kick them down a slide to floor level. Or the sequence where a kid is not merely dared but Triple-Dog-Dared to stick his tongue onto a frozen lamp post, and the fire department has to be called. And the deep disillusionment with which Ralphie finally gets his Little Orphan Annie Secret Decoder Ring in the mail, and Annie's secret message turns out to be nothing but a crummy commercial.

There is also the matter of Scut Farcas (Zack Ward), the bully, who Ralphie assures us has yellow eyes. Every school has a kid like this, who picks on smaller kids but is a coward at heart. He makes Ralphie's life a misery. How Farcus gets his comeuppance makes for a deeply satisfying scene, and notice the perfect tact with which Ralphie's mom handles the situation. (Do you agree with me that Dad already knows the whole story when he sits down at the kitchen table?)

In a poignant way, "A Christmas Story" records a world that no longer quite exists in America. Kids are no longer left unattended in the line for Santa. The innocence of kids' radio programs has been replaced by slick, ironic children's programming on TV. The new Daisy BB guns have a muzzle velocity higher than that of some police revolvers, and are not to be sold to anyone under 16. Nobody knows who Red Ryder was, let alone that his sidekick was Little Beaver.

So much has been forgotten. There is a moment when the Old Man needs an answer for the contest he is entering. The theme of the contest is "Characters in American Literature," and the question is: "What was the name of the Lone Ranger's nephew's horse?"

Victor, of course. Everybody knows that.

Roger Ebert

Roger Ebert was the film critic of the Chicago Sun-Times from 1967 until his death in 2013. In 1975, he won the Pulitzer Prize for distinguished criticism.

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'New Life' Review: A Tense Horror-Thriller With a Twist You Won't See Coming

John Rosman’s feature debut twists one of horror's most overused tropes to create a deeper emotional character journey.

The Big Picture

• New Life is a bold movie that offers a fresh take on overused tropes.
• The film explores themes of solidarity, adversity, and the power of hope in the face of chaos.
• New Life skillfully uses contemporary concerns, such as corporate greed and cyber surveillance, to enhance its background story and add depth to its thriller narrative.

This review was originally part of our coverage for the 2023 Fantasia International Film Festival.

New Life is a genre-bending movie that defies simple definitions. At first, writer-director John Rosman 's feature debut presents itself as an engaging cat and mouse game played by Sonya Walger and Hayley Erin that doesn't seem like it will add something new to spy thriller conventions. As it turns out, though, that's part of New Life 's charm, with big second-act revelations pushing Rosman's feature straight into horror territory and changing the story’s stakes. While getting into the major twist would completely spoil the film, it's worth noting how the filmmaker takes one of the most overused tropes in horror and approaches it from a new angle. That alone would make the movie a standout, but New Life has much more to offer .

The film opens with an image of a young woman covered in blood , sneaking through the streets of suburbia while constantly looking over her shoulder. The woman, Jessica (Erin), is being chased by people with guns, all dressed in suits. Her only chance to escape is to go North and do whatever she can to remain hidden until crossing the Canadian border and starting a new life for herself. While Jessica is on the run, Elsa (Walger) is ordered to take over the hunt for her. Once a prominent field agent, Elsa has been recently diagnosed with ALS, and her body is slowly refusing to respond to her will. She hides her condition from her colleagues and hopes that bringing Jessica in might help prove she can still do her job.

New Life (2023)

In a dramatic series, a recently widowed woman struggles to rebuild her life in a small coastal town where she finds new beginnings and complex relationships. As she connects with the local community, she discovers that healing comes in many forms and sometimes unexpected places.

In Jessica’s segment of the story, New Life tells a tale of solidarity, as she is lucky to cross paths with people who offer help without expecting any explanations about her past. She’s then free to build something new after evading whoever's chasing her. Elsa’s story echoes that of Jessica, as the agent is forced to upend her life due to the limitations of ALS. So, on one level, Rosman’s movie is about the chaotic elements of life where everyone must choose how to deal with adversity either by embracing hope or giving in to despair. That theme is echoed throughout both main characters' storylines, as Jessica and Elsa fight to reclaim the life that has been taken from them , either by other people or by unfair diseases.

'New Life' Boasts a Pair of Excellent Performances

As a character-driven story, New Life can only work thanks to Eron's and Walger's commitment to their respective roles . Even as Jessica and Elsa are on opposite sides, they both have to deal with secrets and mistrust, which gets reflected in how they keep their pain concealed and hold everybody at arm's length. Eron and Walger help give both women emotional layers by using body language to convey the complex feelings they cannot talk about openly as we observe their reactions to curveballs that are thrown their way as the plot unfolds. Walger, in particular, helps give the ALS storyline more weight by masterfully capturing the frustration and fear that comes with the diagnosis while maintaining the facade of gritty antagonist that her hunter position demands. This offers audiences an intriguing drama, which improves when New Life plays with genre conventions to subvert expectations.

At first, New Life doesn’t explain why Jessica is running away , nor does it reveal who Elsa’s contractors are. All we know is that two women who never crossed paths before have their lives uprooted by the chase. This narrative framing allows audiences to explore each character’s internal struggle. In addition, the movie also makes a statement about the dangers of technology.

As Jessica travels the country, she must do so while avoiding electronics. Meanwhile, Elsa’s army of technicians scour the web for clues of her prey’s whereabouts. With dynamic editing that adds a welcome and fast-paced energy to Rosman's compelling direction, New Life uses images of surveillance cameras, official government transcripts, and social media to showcase the alarming web of cyber surveillance we are all trapped in. As much as Jessica wants to vanish, there are just too many digital footprints people can follow to learn more about her . There’s a never-ending flow of information surrounding human lives, making it almost impossible to believe privacy still exists when street cameras can track people’s every move without alerting them.

'New Life' Takes a Turn That Brings Everything Together

That scary thought elevates the classic woman-on-the-run film, painting a grim picture of the power wealthy companies can have over people’s lives. Once New Life reveals why Jessica is on the run, that message immediately underscores how corporate greed often gets in the way of individual safety and privacy, regardless of the dangers it presents to us. So, even though these themes are not the movie's main focus, Rosman's writing skillfully uses contemporary concerns to polish up New Life 's background story .

It would be a disservice to the film to comment on its genre-bending twist. Still, it’s important to emphasize how the horror elements introduced in the second act add to the tense atmosphere of the thriller, tying Jessica’s and Elsa’s personal journeys closer than either could have anticipated. Rosman’s script is also clever enough to avoid tonal dissonances by smoothly adding these new components without losing track of the main story, at least until the end. The third act of New Life could have been cleaner, as some of the plot points that come with the horror portion of the movie get in the way of the thoughtful exploration of ALS that the film does through Elsa. Even so, despite using genre conventions both for its thriller and the mysterious horror story layers, New Life feels fresh and innovative , presenting a mix that works so well that it’s a wonder no one ever tried to do something similar before.

New Life is a bold, genre-bending feature debut with excellent performances and great writing.

• The film provides a new take on a familiar story, upending our expectations in the best way.
• Sonya Walger and Hayley Erin each give great performances, providing emotional layers through every aspect of their body language.
• The twist brings everything into emotionally resonant focus, showing how our two characters were more similar than they were different.
• The third act could have been cleaner as certain horror developments don't always connect with the more thoughtful elements of the film.

New Life is now available to stream on VOD in the U.S.

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