Name: A Not So Merry Christmas
Genre: Comedy, Family
Released: 2022-12-20T00:00:00+00:00
Cast: Mauricio Ochmann, Ana Brenda Contreras, Manu NNa, María Rojo, José Sefami

The opening shot of A Not So Merry Christmas is a close-up on Chuy’s (Mauricio Ochmann) weary face as he groggily realizes something is off—it’s December 24th again, and he’s reliving the same day for what feels like the hundredth time. The film wastes no time throwing us into its central conceit: a grumpy man trapped in a temporal loop, forced to confront his own flaws during an endless Christmas Eve. It’s a premise that oozes potential, but director Mark Alazraki and his co-writers Juan Carlos Garzón & Angélica Gudiño struggle to do more than scratch the surface of its emotional and comedic possibilities.

Adapted from the 2020 Brazilian film Just Another Christmas, A Not So Merry Christmas transplants its source material to Mexico City, trading Brazilian sensibility for Mexican warmth. The film premiered on Netflix in December 2022, riding the wave of holiday streaming content, but it’s clear from the opening moments that this is no Elf or Love Actually—it’s a mid-budget, family-friendly comedy with ambitions that outstrip its execution.

At its best, the film leans into the absurdity of Chuy’s situation. The repetitive tracking shots through the same festive settings are visually effective, emphasizing the monotony of his predicament. These sequences are where Alazraki’s direction shines, using space and framing to underscore the weight of Chuy’s curse. The cinematography here is precise, if unremarkable, with a reliance on warm, festive lighting that occasionally feels cloying but never outright saccharine.

But the comedy falters when it relies too heavily on slapstick and broad stereotypes. Chuy’s transformation from Scrooge-like miser to sentimental softie is rushed, lacking the nuance that made Bill Murray’s journey in Groundhog Day feel earned. Ochmann delivers a serviceable performance, but he’s saddled with one-note material: Chuy’s grumpiness feels performative rather than rooted in genuine disillusionment. There’s a missed opportunity here to delve deeper into what makes Chuy so cynical—a backstory hinted at but never fully explored.

The supporting cast fares better. Ana Brenda Contreras, as Daniela, brings warmth and charm to her role as Chuy’s love interest. Her chemistry with Ochmann is palpable, and their scenes together are some of the film’s most engaging. Manu NNa steals every scene she’s in as the eccentric Diva Madrina, a fairy godmother with a flair for the dramatic. NNa’s performance is a highlight, adding much-needed levity and quirkiness to an otherwise formulaic narrative.

The film’s best moments come when it focuses on these relationships, particularly the dynamic between Chuy and his family. María Rojo and José Sefami, playing Chuy’s mother and uncle respectively, bring sincerity and heart to their roles. Their scenes with Ochmann are filled with genuine emotion, offering glimpses of what could have been a more deeply felt character study.

Yet A Not So Merry Christmas struggles to find its tonal footing. It wants to be a heartfelt family comedy but stumbles into mawkishness in its final act. The resolution feels rushed, as if the writers couldn’t decide whether to lean into satire or sentimentality. The film’s pacing is another issue; at just under two hours, it could have benefited from tighter editing to trim some of the repetitive gags and unnecessary subplots.

Visually, the production is polished but unremarkable. The sets are festive and colorful, but the cinematography lacks distinctive flair. The soundtrack, however, is a highlight—filled with catchy holiday tunes that lend energy to the more sluggish stretches. The music, combined with the vibrant settings, creates a sense of holiday cheer that occasionally elevates the material.

Thematically, the film grapples with redemption and self-discovery, but it never fully commits to exploring these ideas in depth. Chuy’s journey is predictable, and his eventual transformation feels earned only because the narrative demands it, not because we’ve seen him evolve organically. The curse he faces is a clever device, but it’s ultimately underutilized. There’s potential for deeper commentary on the cyclical nature of life or the importance of living in the moment, but the film never quite gets there.

Who is this film for? It’s clearly aimed at families looking for a lighthearted holiday movie, and in that regard, it succeeds moderately. The humor is accessible, the message is straightforward, and the festive atmosphere is undeniably appealing. But for those seeking something more substantial—a film that balances comedy with genuine emotional depth—A Not So Merry Christmas falls short.

Ultimately, A Not So Merry Christmas is a missed opportunity. It has a compelling premise and moments of genuine humor and heart, but it’s hamstrung by predictable storytelling and tonal whiplash. The performances are uneven, the direction is serviceable but uninspired, and the themes are underdeveloped.