There are two kinds of people in this world. Those who say they don’t like cosy Christmas movies — and those who are lying to themselves. If you belong to the latter camp (or are Christmas-curious), My Secret Santa on Netflix is exactly the kind of film you curl up with when the year has been long, the nights are colder, and believing in magic feels like a perfectly reasonable life choice.
I am very fond of cosy movies. The kind where the stakes are low, the sweaters are chunky, the snow is suspiciously perfect, and you know what’s going to happen — but you’re watching anyway, like a willing accomplice. And if you are a fan of this genre, you will absolutely love this one. Especially since Christmas is just around the corner — which is really just a socially acceptable time to believe in miracles, romance, and the possibility that problems can be solved with hot chocolate.
Let’s kick things off with the biggest reason I hit “play” without hesitation: Alexandra Breckenridge as Taylor Jacobson. Ever since Virgin River, where she permanently imprinted herself on our collective consciousness as Mel, she’s become one of those actors you’ll watch doing almost anything. Is it hard to forget her as Mel? Yes. Do you try? No. You simply accept it and move on, because she brings a warmth and sincerity that makes even the most predictable plots feel oddly comforting.
In My Secret Santa, Taylor is an out-of-work single mother — formerly a rock star (of course she was) — trying to make ends meet and please her teenage daughter, Zoey Jacobson (played by Madison MacIsaac). Bills are looming, dreams are on pause, and dignity is optional. When the only job Taylor can land is dressing up as Santa at the luxe Sun Peaks ski resort, she does what any sensible Christmas-movie protagonist would do: she puts on the beard and hopes for the best.
Enter the male lead, Matthew Layne (played by Ryan Eggold), the resort manager and resident enfant terrible. Broody? Check. Emotionally conflicted? Check. Unreasonably invested in romancing a secret-Santa-clad Taylor? Double check. What follows is a delightful comedy of errors as Taylor tries to conceal her Santa identity while juggling motherhood, romance, and seasonal deception.
The plot is gloriously predictable. You will see every turn coming from three snowfalls away — and that is precisely the point. This is not a film that asks you to engage your critical thinking skills. This is a “leave your intelligence in the stocking by the fireplace” kind of watch. Suspend disbelief. Embrace the absurdity. Believe in love, romance, Christmas… and Santa.
Performances worth noting:
Alexandra Breckenridge (Taylor Jacobson): She brings heart, vulnerability, and that familiar cosy charisma that makes you root for her instantly.
Ryan Eggold (Matthew Layne): Leans comfortably into his charmingly conflicted role, managing to be both swoony and self-aware with subtle comic timing.
Madison MacIsaac (Zoey): As Zoey, Taylor’s daughter, she strikes the perfect balance — not too precocious, not painfully annoying — which is a Christmas miracle in itself.
Diana Maria Riva (Doralee the Landlady): Absolutely steals every scene she’s in — a feisty, funny force who injects the movie with extra festive energy and a bit of parental sass.
The supporting cast, from the well-meaning elf to the beleaguered landlady, adds just the right amount of chaos and charm to make My Secret Santa feel like a holiday gathering where everyone — even that one weird uncle — is welcome.
In conclusion, My Secret Santa is not trying to reinvent cinema. It’s trying to make you smile — and it succeeds. It’s sweet, silly, predictable, and unapologetically festive. Perfect for those evenings when you want to feel cosy, hopeful, and just a little bit enchanted.
So grab your fluffiest blanket, pour a generous mug of cocoa, and let this charming holiday rom-com wrap you in warmth — because sometimes the best magic isn’t the kind you find under the tree, but the kind that makes your heart feel full.
Honest Reviews 